Divisional Counsel, Global Functions

Who We Are

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve. 

The Need

For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Divisional Counsel, Global Functions.

The Divisional Counsel, Global Functions (DC-GF) is an individual contributor position that reports directly to the Director, Legal Operations and Customer Solutions (D-LOCS), and whose principal clients are the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Chief People Officer, the Chief Programs Officer, the Chief Resources Officer (the “Division Heads”), and their respective leadership teams. The DC-GF will provide high-level, strategic expertise and counsel on legal questions, compliance issues, and legal risk management to the Division Heads and their divisional leadership teams. He or she will ensure provision of transactional and operational legal support as needed throughout the Divisions to allow divisional teams to operate effectively, efficiently, and creatively, while still mitigating risk and maintaining compliance.

This position is based in the Washington, DC area and is available to be hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays). It reports to the Director, Legal Operations and Customer Solutions (D-LOCS) and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Legal Guidance & Risk Management 

• Ensure divisional implementation and monitoring of global standards and policies that ensure legal compliance for IJM’s operations within each Division.
• Manage divisional and other legally binding agreements to ensure IJM’s interests.
• Provide strategic legal research, analysis, and recommendations as necessary to the Division Heads and other divisional leadership.
• Provide strategic legal guidance and transactional legal support on all divisional matters.
• Ensure all teams within the Divisions receive necessary transactional and operational legal support, particularly on critical areas such as fundraising, employment, and compliance.
• Collaborate across divisional and regional teams to develop solutions that allow the Divisions to achieve their strategic and other objectives in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with Human Resources teams to ensure compliance with and proactively respond to all relevant employment-related standards and legal requirements throughout the Divisions.
• Responsible for management and outcome of all divisional engagements with external legal counsel (paid and pro bono).
• Handle insurance procurement, claims, and litigation management.
  
  

Strategy, Planning, and Reporting

• Develop and implement divisional legal risk reduction and mitigation strategies.
• Provide ongoing reporting from the Divisions to the Global center regarding compliance measures, needs, and standards.
  
  

Networking and Partnership

• Establish and maintain a rhythm of collaboration with divisional leadership teams as well as regional and other stakeholders.
• Foster relationships across cross-functional teams to better understand divisional goals and support needs.
• Strategically cultivate, maintain, and utilize IJM’s external legal counsel (paid and pro bono) within the Divisions.
• Collaborate closely as appropriate with the Regional Director of Legal, North America, when supporting the Chief Resources Officer and the Global Resources leadership team.
  
  

General Tasks

• Execute other legal and risk-management tasks as assigned by the D-LOCS.
• Support and participate in Customer Solutions projects implemented via the LGRC Problem-Solver Pool process.
• Support Legal Operations management by the D-LOCS.
  
  

Training and Development

• Ensure teams throughout the Divisions receive/access the training, resources, processes and tools necessary to comply with global legal standards and policies, promote legal compliance, and reduce legal risk.
• Actively participate in and contribute to a community of practice comprising in-Region legal counsel, periodically providing guidance and input on areas of relevant expertise within that community.
  
  

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Law degree (J.D. or international equivalent) and active bar membership.
• At least 6 years’ experience as a lawyer in a law firm or in-house setting.
• Experience in non-profit legal matters preferred.
  
  

Technical Competencies

• Superb written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of related areas of law, including corporate legal matters, including contracts, intellectual property, non-profit regulatory compliance, fundraising, tax, insurance, and/or litigation preferred.
  
  

Non-Technical Competencies

• Mature Christian faith with an eager commitment to IJM’s core values: Christian, Professional, and Bridge-Building.
• High emotional intelligence.
• Ability to function as a strategic advisor.
• Ability to exercise relational leadership and lead through influence.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented, and creative problem-solver.
• Rigorous analytical thinker with the capacity to quickly absorb new subject areas.
• Ability to interact with high-level, high-profile internal and external stakeholders.
• Orientation to process & systems thinking.
  
  

Critical Qualities:

• Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;
• Self-starter with strong initiative; 
• Disciplined with priorities;
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication;
• Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;
• Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment; and
• Adept at creative problem solving.
  
  

Application Process:

Upload Resume, Cover Letter & Statement of Faith* in one PDF document.

• What is a statement of faith? A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter or submitted as a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.
  
  

What does IJM have to offer?

• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision benefits
• Monthly commuter and parking benefits in the DC metro area
• Retirement benefit options
• Paid leave starting at 23 days
• 12 holidays (plus early release the day prior)
• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation
• Robust staff care resources
  
  

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidate’s value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

At IJM, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce through fair and equitable employment practices. IJM encourages people of any race, color, age, sex, marital status or political ideology to apply for employment. While we welcome everyone into this work, we truly believe that the work we are doing is God’s work, not our own, and practice spiritual disciplines together daily. That’s why we legally require under SEC. 2000e-1 [Section702] of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that all employees practice a mature orthodox Christian faith, as defined by the Apostles’ Creed.

IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.