Legal Counsel

We are currently recruiting a Legal Counsel to join our Legal, Ethics & Compliance team.

This is a remote position, open to candidates based in RI countries of operation. For candidates based in the UK, the salary will be circa. £54k per annum.

At Relief International, we are committed to building a representative, inclusive and authentic workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates from minoritized backgrounds those who bring lived experience of the contexts in which we work.

This role is classified as requiring advanced pre-employment checks.

About Relief International

Relief International is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. We work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience.

About the Opportunity

Relief International is looking for a Legal Counsel to ensure that the organization receives timely, practical, and risk-proportionate legal support across its global operations. Reporting to the Chief Legal, Ethics and Compliance Officer (CLECO), this role provides day-to-day legal assistance across a range of matters including contract review, employment law, sanctions compliance, and data privacy and protection. The Legal Counsel works as part of a small legal team, coordinating with external counsel in RI's headquarters jurisdictions (US, UK, and France) and across countries of operation in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The role requires sound independent judgment and the ability to navigate complex, multi-jurisdictional legal questions.

Your Responsibilities

This role includes the following responsibilities.

• Reviews, drafts, and negotiates a broad range of contracts.

• Provides first-line legal advice on employment matters across multiple jurisdictions, escalating to the CLECO or external counsel as appropriate.

• Assists in implementing and maintaining RI's sanctions compliance and data privacy frameworks, including GDPR and equivalent obligations.

• Coordinates with external counsel in HQ and country-level jurisdictions, ensuring advice is practical and cost-effective.

• Monitors relevant legal and regulatory developments across RI's countries of operation and flags emerging risks to the CLECO.

• Manages caseload and priorities, exercising independent judgment on routine matters and escalating complex or high-risk issues appropriately.

• Contributes to the development of legal templates, guidance notes, and resources for country and program teams.

• Supports the CLECO in managing the legal function's workload and external counsel relationships.

About You

You will bring the following experience and skills.

• Qualified lawyer with a license to practice in a common law jurisdiction, with a minimum of 4 years post-qualification experience.

• Demonstrated experience in contract drafting and negotiation.

• Working knowledge of sanctions compliance frameworks (US OFAC, UK OSFI, and/or EU sanctions regimes).

• Familiarity with data privacy regulations, particularly GDPR.

• Experience coordinating with or instructing external counsel across multiple jurisdictions.

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver practical legal advice under time pressure. Comfort operating in complex and challenging environments.

• Experience working in or advising the international humanitarian, development, or nonprofit sector would be a bonus.

• Multi-jurisdictional experience desirable.

• Knowledge of French, Arabic, or another language relevant to RI’s countries of operations is a plus.

Research shows that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs, unless they meet every single requirement. If you’re excited about this role, but your experience doesn’t align with every criteria described, we encourage you to apply anyway, you could be exactly what we need!

How To Apply

To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button in the job advert page.

• You will be asked to upload a CV and Cover Letter.

• The cover letter should be one page, and explain why you are interested in this post with Relief International and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Closing Date

Monday 23 March, 2026.

As a humanitarian organization, Relief International is committed to the safeguarding of all those we come into contact with through our work. We are committed to the core humanitarian principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Relief International expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviors outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Recruitment to all roles in Relief International include a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checks.