Associate General Counsel

Location: Preference for Washington, DC, Portland, OR, or possible remote (US-Based)

Position Status: Full-time, Exempt, Regular

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In order to be considered for this role, you must submit a cover letter.**

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About Mercy Corps**

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

Legal Department Summary

The Legal Department provides legal counsel and support to all areas of Mercy Corps, including executive and senior management, global programs and operations, ethics and investigations, social ventures, policy & advocacy, resource development, finance, and human resources as well as corporate governance services to the Board of Directors.

The Position

The Legal Department is seeking a full time experienced attorney for the role of  Associate General Counsel to join its three-person team. The Associate General Counsel will support transactional and related corporate compliance matters agency-wide, including for Mercy Corps’ high profile social ventures and impact investment portfolio, as well as for Mercy Corps programs around the world. The Associate General Counsel will also support other activities as assigned by the General Counsel and be expected to work closely with team members in the U.S., Europe, and across Mercy Corps’ global operations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Advise staff, including senior management, on corporate, commercial, and other transactional matters, including support to Mercy Corps Ventures impact investment portfolio, advising Mercy Corps teams such as corporate partnerships, technical support unit, innovations, data protection, IT, and procurement teams on transactional and regulatory areas such as corporate structuring, commercial negotiations, intellectual property rights, data protection, and contractual compliance
• Lead contract review process for a range of internal clients, including drafting and negotiation, development of standardized forms, templates, best practice guidance, and staff training
• Advise and assist agency programs on enterprise-related structures and entities, within the U.S. and abroad
• Stay up to date and advise on legal, regulatory and policy issues related to data security, privacy and protection; IRS non-profit law compliance (e.g., program-related investments; commercial co-ventures; arrangements with for profit entities; charitable giving); procurement regulations; and other corporate compliance matters
• Engage with and advise the management boards of Mercy Corps transactional affiliates and departments on complex enterprise-related initiatives
• Collaborate with Legal Department colleagues and other agency departments in the development, guidance, and training on institutional policies, procedures, initiatives, and other matters, as needed
• Strategically consult with and help effectively manage the agency’s outside counsel
• Support General Counsel and the Legal Department on corporate governance related matters
• Review and develop appropriate responses on legal, procedural, or administrative issues in compliance with applicable law and regulations

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Accountability

The General Counsel is the Primary Supervisor.  The Associate General Counsel will also be accountable to internal clients throughout the Agency, both at its headquarter and country offices.  The Associate General Counsel will work closely with the Deputy General Counsel and be supported by the Paralegal.

Reports Directly To: General Counsel

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

• Juris Doctor degree or its international equivalent and licensed to practice law in one or more jurisdictions within the United States
• 7-10 years of relevant experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or organization working in or advising at an international level, including experience working cross-culturally
• Extensive experience in advising, negotiating, and drafting complex commercial contracts, with strong preference for industry knowledge of social impact investing
• Experience with, and working knowledge of, data privacy, intellectual property, and federal laws applicable to 501(c)(3) is desired
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated ability to understand complex legal concepts, deliver pragmatic legal advice and offer succinct explanation and counsel to colleagues
• Ability to manage heavy workload and competing priorities independently and with limited supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with clients at all levels of the agency
• Fluency in written and spoken English, and excellent communication skills
• Proficiency in digital and administrative skills relevant to the legal profession
• Knowledge of one or more foreign languages is a plus
• Good general knowledge of current events, particularly international affairs, and desire to work in the development or humanitarian sector

Success Factors

Ability to see a wide swath of perspectives and to develop common sense, legally sound and mission appropriate solutions to difficult legal challenges; ability to work collaboratively and demonstrate creativity, adaptability and flexibility; quick learner with capacity to absorb and apply new information rapidly.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

Position is located in Washington, District of Columbia, Portland, Oregon or a remote location as determined in coordination with the General Counsel.  Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment to a field posting.  Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme**.** We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. **We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.

Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees**

Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.

This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.

For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment.  Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations.  Failure to comply may impact your employment.  Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.