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Legal Counsel Woking, Surrey UK


We are currently seeking to recruit a Legal Counsel.
 About the Role
 
The Legal Counsel, part of the legal department located within Plan’s international headquarters in Woking, provides advice, support and representation on legal issues, furthering the delivery of Plan’s strategy, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements by Plan International, Inc. and its subsidiaries and advising on good governance and the effective management of legal risk throughout Plan.   
Dimensions of Role:
  • Professional - advises Plan globally (including its International Board and Members’ Assembly, Executive Team, 50 country offices and 4 regional offices). 
  • Manages and conducts specific projects and activities in relation to legal, compliance or regulatory issues.
  • Supervision/management - supervises (as required) junior members of the department (temporary or permanent staff or interns) and instructs and manages external lawyers on specific projects.
  • Budget - responsible for budgeting for and managing the legal costs of specific projects or areas of work for which s/he is responsible.
Key End Results and typical Responsibilities:
Plan is well advised on the legal and regulatory issues affecting its operations in the UK, the US and the other jurisdictions in which Plan operates and has the information necessary to properly evaluate and manage legal risk. 
  • To give high quality, professional legal advice in relation to UK law and advise or procure advice in relation to the laws of the US and other jurisdictions within which Plan operates. 
  • To develop, advise on and promote policies, practices and procedures to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, good governance and the effective management of legal risk. 
  • To appoint and manage external legal advisors at appropriate times ensuring good value and a high quality service
Plan is aware of legal developments that may impact its operations and is prepared to respond or change its behaviour, systems or processes accordingly. 
  • Monitoring, evaluating the impact and communicating about legal developments relevant to Plan, coordinating effectively with legal and other professional colleagues
  • Staff and volunteers understand Plan’s legal policies and are aware of the key external legal and regulatory requirements applicable to activities for which they are responsible
  • Developing and delivering legal training and guidance to staff and volunteers.
  • Appropriate legal advice is provided to Plan International, Inc.’s governing bodies when required
  • Attending meetings of the Members’ Assembly, the International Board and Committees as required to provide legal and governance advice and support.
Plan understands its contractual commitments and is well advised on how to protect and promote its interests contractually
  • Drafting, advising on and negotiating contracts, memoranda of agreement and other legal instruments, subject to UK, US and other laws to protect and promote the interests of Plan and its work. 
  • Advising on, developing and implementing contract management processes
Dealing with Problems:
Gives effective robust advice under pressure and in response to situations that are unplanned or unexpected, including when the impact of advice could have significant financial or reputational implications for the organisation.
Anticipates forward-plans and schedules the legal work required within specific areas of responsibility or projects, using professional judgement and experience to identify the potential issues, timings and any likely direct costs. 
Effectively manages volume of requests for advice from a diverse range of contacts, managing legal risk and cost, and providing a high quality legal service.
Develops creative, cost effective solutions to novel or challenging problems, working collaboratively with colleagues internally and externally. 
Communications and Working Relationships:
Interna
l
  • General Counsel and Company Secretary (high)
  • Managers and coordinators of specific functions, projects and programmes (high)
  • Senior management at Plan International’s headquarters, regional and country offices and at Plan National Organisations (medium) 
  • International Board, Members’ Assembly and Committees (low)
Key relationships – external
  • External law firms in UK, US and developing countries (medium)
  • Lawyers working in other NGOs (low)
Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Knowledge
  • Qualified as a lawyer in the UK and/or the US.
  • Experienced at providing legal advice internationally on a diverse range of issues.
  • Understanding of the legal issues affecting international not for profit organisations.
Skills
  • Highly effective at using legal skills to solve problems and identify pragmatic solutions. 
  • Strong legal drafting skills and powers of analysis with good attention to detail including when under pressure.
  • Able to apply legal expertise to the development and implementation of policy.
  • Ability to think and advise strategically. 
  • Able to influence and build strong relationships with different types of people at all levels.
  • Self-motivated, efficient and highly organised.
  • Creative problem solver.
  • Highly effective prioritisation of competing requests.
  • Ability to influence those over whom the post holder has no direct responsibility.
Behaviours
  • Highly professional, customer focussed, constructive and positive in approach.
  • Flexible and proactive. 
  • Team player
  • Diplomatic, culturally and politically sensitive
  • Committed to the aims and objectives of Plan.
Physical Environment and Demands:
Typical office environment
Type of role: Permanent
Reports to: General Counsel & Legal Secretary
Salary: competitive
Closing date:  Wednesday 9th January 2013
References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.
Please note that only applications and CVs written in English will be accepted.
Your online application form can be saved, reviewed and amended before submission.
jobs.plan-international.org