Legal Counsel – Staff Attorney

Ministry Function:

The Legal Counsel – Staff Attorney (LCSA) supports the ministry of Convoy of Hope (COH) by providing legal counsel and compliance advice to all COH programs with specific focus on, but not limited to, administrative legal reviews and oversight of contracts, memorandums of understanding (MOUs), organizational documents and organizational processes. Duties may include contract review, negotiations, process improvements and compliance concerns related to legal, regulatory, and compliance areas. The LCSA also advises and assists in the navigation of organizational relationships and problem-solving with an emphasis on those areas representing core mission capabilities. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Research, or supervise the research of, legal, regulatory, and compliance risks/concerns and provides detailed analysis and advice at the request of the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) or Office of the President, or independently as they see the need arise.
2. Support CLO with coordination of corporate legal strategy for the organization.
3. Responsible for legal review of various documents, contracts, Memorandums of Understanding, Partnership Agreements, and service agreements, providing analysis and comments. Provide assistance and advice in negotiation of such agreements when needed or requested.
4. Support CLO with design and implementation of internal systems and processes.
5. Support the CLO with creation and maintenance of official corporate records and documents for various Convoy of Hope entities domestically and internationally. Ensure confidentiality of information, documentation, and assigned records.
6. Act as the Corporate Secretary in various Convoy of Hope subsidiaries, as assigned by the CLO, ensuring corporate formalities are followed and corporate records are maintained.
7. Provide legal advice and guidance to the various COH divisions and ministry partners.
8. Provide legal updates on a consistent basis to various stakeholders with analysis of key issues, strategy, adjustments, and progress.
9. Provide legal advice and representation on committees and task forces as requested by CLO.
10. Assist with and supervise the monitoring of emerging risks and changing regulatory environments that may impact Convoy of Hope’s operations including detailed analysis of regulations and the regulatory environment.
11. Collaborate with other teams and serve as a broad-based resource for team legal concerns to devise and implement creative legal solutions in a complex nonprofit setting.
12. Working familiarity in, or willingness to become familiar with, the relevant areas of law including corporate, nonprofit, governance, regulatory, compliance, employment, contracts, communications, intellectual property, supply chain, fundraising and planned giving, data privacy, and real estate. However, expertise or experience in all areas is not required.
13. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required.
2. Current admission with good standing to The Missouri Bar, eligible for admission to the Missouri Bar, or immediate eligibility for limited admission as in-house counsel required.
3. Previous experience with an NGO is preferred whether in an in-house counsel or other role.
4. Cultural understanding and respect are required to handle sensitive issues and maintain relationships. Significant cross-cultural understanding and awareness is required to aid in handling sensitive issues and maintain vital relationships. A high level of EQ and cross-cultural understanding is required.
5. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written, are required.
6. Strong organizational skills and project management experience with demonstrated ability to multitask and see projects through their full life cycles.
7. Perform independent legal research providing detailed analysis including sound legal advice.
8. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
9. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
10. Proven project management experience, with the demonstrated ability to multitask and manage deadlines.
11. Can occasionally travel both domestically and internationally. Ability and willingness to travel internationally occasionally may be required.
12. Attends and actively participates in COH At Home Week meetings and activities as a required responsibility to the organization and fellow team members.
13. Serve as an advocate for the ministry, striving to nurture, broaden and develop financial and other resource opportunities to support and expand organizational and program ministry.
14. Ability to positively represent the ministry of Convoy of Hope, including its mission statement and core values, to all outside constituencies.
15. As a Christian organization, Convoy of Hope believes it is critical that each staff member embraces the organization's religious purposes for which it exists and not only agrees with its Statement of Faith but demonstrates it in their lives on an ongoing basis.
16. The position is based in Springfield, Missouri.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

LCSA will have no direct supervisory responsibilities.