Village Enterprise Hiring Remote General Counsel at $188,000 Plus Benefits

Overview

Village Enterprise is hiring a General Counsel to build and lead its first formal Legal Department. Village Enterprise is an international nonprofit working to end extreme poverty in rural Africa through entrepreneurship and innovation. Founded in 1987, it provides business training, seed capital, startup funding and mentoring, and reports helping establish more than 40,000 micro-enterprises.

The executive-level, full-time role pays USD $188,000, commensurate with experience, plus benefits. It is remote with flexible global arrangements and involves about 15 to 20 percent international travel. The General Counsel reports to the Chief Executive Officer, works with the Board of Directors and its Audit/Governance Committee, and has no initial direct reports.

What the role involves

The post combines strategic leadership with hands-on legal practice. Duties include setting up legal systems for contract management, compliance monitoring, risk assessment and knowledge management; advising the CEO, executive team and Board; drafting and negotiating donor contracts, partnership agreements, sub-awards, technology and procurement agreements; advising on governance and bylaws; overseeing compliance across several countries; and advising on U.S. nonprofit and Section 501(c)(3) obligations. The role also leads legal oversight of safeguarding, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, sanctions, counter-terrorism financing, privacy and data protection, and manages litigation, investigations, external counsel, employment law, due diligence, intellectual property and innovative financing such as results-based financing. The organization operates in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Requirements

Candidates need a law degree such as a JD or LLB, plus good standing with a U.S. state bar or an equivalent qualification in England and Wales, such as Solicitor or Barrister. They need 10 to 15 years of legal experience, including at least five years as senior in-house counsel or General Counsel, experience advising multi-jurisdiction organizations on governance, compliance and legal risk, and a record of establishing a legal function. Strong contract and grant skills and sound judgment are required. Experience as General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel at a U.S. 501(c)(3) with international operations is an advantage.

How to apply

Applications go through the online recruitment platform and include a cover letter, a CV of no more than three pages, three referees, the earliest available start date and other requested details, along with acceptance of the Data Privacy Policy. Village Enterprise charges applicants no fees at any stage.