What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vital Strategies Legal Summer Associate position at VITASTRA?
Job Brief
Vital Strategies Legal Summer Associate
Vital Strategies, headquartered in New York City, is an international public health organization. Our programs strengthen public health systems and address the world’s leading causes of illness, injury and death. We currently work more than 80 countries, supporting data-driven decision making in government, advancing evidence-based public health policies and mounting strategic communication campaigns. Vital Strategies’ priorities are driven by the greatest potential to improve and save lives. They include cardiovascular health, tobacco control, road safety, obesity prevention, overdose prevention, environmental health and vital statistics systems building. Our programs are primarily concentrated in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Please visit our website at www.vitalstrategies.org to find out more about our work.
At Vital Strategies we value learning and personal development which is why we believe it is important to mentor future leaders who will grow personally and professionally and create impact in the public health sector. As a Vital Strategies Summer Associate, you will have the chance to develop skills and contribute to our initiatives through engaging, meaningful work assignments that can help jump start your career the public health.
We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences, whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make Vital’s work more inclusive. All Summer Associate roles at Vital Strategies are paid opportunities. We encourage people of all racial, economic, social, cultural, sexual orientation, and gender expressions to apply.
About the Program:
Vital Strategies is seeking a Summer Associate to join our Legal team. This position is ideal for a law school student seeking to gain exposure to working in an in-house capacity at a global nonprofit organization. Throughout the summer, you will strengthen critical, technical and legal skills through engaging, meaningful work assignments, including conducting legal research projects and participating in the review of international contracts. You will also meet with organizational leadership and participate in professional development sessions.
Vital Strategies is located in New York, NY. The Legal Summer Associate position is full time, with a hybrid work schedule of 2 days per week in the office. The candidate must have authorization to work legally in the United States.
Compensation: This internship is unpaid, but eligible for funding/a stipend through Public Interest Law Center (NYU) and Columbia Law School.
Duration: While we will offer at least the minimum number of weeks and hours required for PILC/Columbia Summer Funding eligibility, we are flexible on the exact start and end date, and will coordinate with the selected candidate on exact timeframe.
Responsibilities:
1. Conducting research projects involving artificial intelligence, international and domestic data privacy issues, and nonprofit law and presenting findings to the legal team and other internal teams.
2. Participating in the review of subgrant agreements, independent contractor agreements, service provider agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other agreements with program partners and vendors to build essential drafting and research skills.
3. Participating in meetings concerning contract negotiation and compliance matters that may arise.
4. Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Education and Work Experience -
Currently enrolled in a law school JD program
Experience in the nonprofit or health sector or in a field involving international transactions and compliance preferred but not required
Skills and Knowledge -
Working knowledge of legal research platforms such as Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg Law.
Excellent analytical skills, with commitment to continuous improvement.
Demonstrates superior initiative and ensures strict confidentiality at all times.
Highly organized and detail oriented with ability to multitask and balance competing deadlines; possesses a track record of managing project plans, timelines and deadlines to completion.
Superb communication skills; communicates clearly and is effective with verbal and written communications; adapts communication style to needs of the audience.
Committed team player, with experience in building trust, a strong rapport and collaborative relationships (including with team members in Legal, Operations, HR, IT, Finance, and more)
Quick and motivated learner, eager to jump in and take on new challenges to improve work product. A team player, self-starter and skilled in spotting issues and mistakes in legal documents.
Tech savvy, ideally possessing experience with legal technology systems as well as CLM and CRM tools. Familiar with Microsoft 365 suite of applications (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams).
Business proficiency in another language (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese) helpful but not required
