At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic legal advice and support across NEF's global operations.
- Company: Join a non-profit dedicated to community-led development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, opportunity to work in diverse locations, and impactful work.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with senior leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by ensuring legal compliance in high-risk environments.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with 8-12+ years of international law experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Location: Syracuse, New York (USA), London (UK), or Brussels (Belgium)
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Type: Full-time (or part-time – flexible depending on profile)
Travel: Limited (as required)
About NEF
Since 1915, NEF has supported community-led economic and social development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus. As a non-profit international development organization, NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to reduce poverty, create economic opportunity, increase resilience, and empower conflict, climate- and crisis-affected people to improve their outlook and wellbeing.
NEF works through a network of country offices and with local partners, with current or recent operations in Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our global headquarters are based in Syracuse, NY, London, UK, and Brussels, Belgium.
Position Overview
NEF is recruiting a Global Legal Advisor to play a central advisory role in strengthening, coordinating, and supporting legal matters across the organization as well as ensuring alignment and compliance across all locations. The Global Legal Advisor provides strategic, high-level legal advice and oversight across NEF’s global operations, ensuring that the organization operates within applicable legal and regulatory frameworks while supporting sound decision-making. This role is strictly advisory in nature and does not hold operational or managerial authority over programs or country operations. The position is designed to provide clear, practical, and risk-informed legal guidance to leadership, without responsibilities in day-to-day implementation. This position may be based within one of NEF's headquarters offices in Syracuse, London, or Brussels and supports legal matters across all NEF entities (US, UK, Belgium) and countries of operation, working closely with senior leadership, compliance, HR, and operations teams. The position focuses on risk identification, legal clarity, and institutional protection, enabling NEF to operate confidently in complex and high-risk environments. Ensures all offices meet legal operating requirements at the local and HQ level.
Core Responsibilities
- Legal Advisory & Institutional Support: Serve as the primary legal advisor to the COO, CEO, and senior leadership. Provide clear, practical, and risk-based legal advice on organizational, operational, and programmatic matters. Support decision-making by outlining legal implications, risks, and mitigation options, without taking operational ownership. Ensure advice remains proportionate, enabling, and aligned with NEF’s operational realities.
- Legal Risk Management & Governance: Identify and assess legal and regulatory risks across NEF’s global operations. Advise on mitigation measures in coordination with Compliance and Operations. Support the development and review of institutional legal frameworks, policies, and governance documents. Ensure NEF maintains a defensible legal position across its activities.
- Contracts & Agreements (Advisory Role): Review and advise on donor agreements, partnership agreements, service contracts, MoUs with governments or institutions. Highlight key risks, liabilities, and non-standard clauses, and propose mitigation options. Provide guidance templates and standards, while allowing teams to manage negotiations operationally.
- Multi-Jurisdiction Legal Oversight: Provide legal guidance across NEF entities: United States (HQ), United Kingdom, Belgium, all countries of operation. Ensure legal compliance of all NEF entities in new and existing countries, including registration, legal presence, and regulatory requirements. This includes establishing and maintaining a master calendar of registrations, legal presence, filings, and statutory obligations, and ensuring that all responsible parties - particularly Country Directors - implement the required actions on time. Coordinate with external legal counsel where specialized local advice is required.
- Support to Compliance & Investigations (Advisory Only): Provide legal input on compliance cases, internal reviews, fraud or misconduct allegations. Ensure processes are aligned with due process, legal defensibility, and risk mitigation. Maintain clear boundaries; not leading investigations but advising as needed.
- Data Protection, Liability & Safeguarding (Legal Aspects): Advise on data protection frameworks, including GDPR-related matters. Review legal implications of data sharing, safeguarding, and duty of care obligations. Ensure NEF’s legal exposure is minimized in sensitive areas.
- External Counsel Management: Identify when external legal expertise is required. Support selection and engagement of external law firms across jurisdictions. Ensure external advice is cost-effective, relevant, and actionable.
- Training & Preventive Legal Awareness: Provide targeted legal guidance and awareness sessions for staff (e.g. contracts, risk, compliance basics). Promote a preventive legal culture across NEF. Translate complex legal concepts into simple, actionable guidance.
Key Interfaces
- COO
- CEO and Executive Leadership Team
- UK and Belgium Executive Directors
- Compliance, HR, and Finance
- Country Directors and Operations Teams
- External legal counsel
Profile & Experience
Qualified lawyer with 8–12+ years of experience in international law, NGO law, or corporate/international advisory. Strong experience working across multiple jurisdictions (US, Europe, and/or fragile contexts). Proven ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice (not purely theoretical). Experience supporting donor-funded programs and international operations is highly desirable. Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to operate at senior leadership level. Ability to balance risk management with operational realities. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate legal concepts into clear guidance.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must possess the legal right to work in the location for which they are applying. NEF is currently considering candidates based in Syracuse (USA), London (UK), or Brussels (Belgium). NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on May 25, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
To apply: Please apply by submitting the following documents to the Near East Foundation’s careers page at https://neareast.org/current-opportunities/: Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, how you meet the essential criteria. Curriculum Vitae. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.
The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.
Pre-employment Checks
Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date: A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening; Receipt of satisfactory references; Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.
Global Legal Advisor employer: Near East Foundation
At NEF, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions community-led development while fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. Our flexible working arrangements, commitment to employee growth through targeted training, and the opportunity to engage in meaningful legal advisory work across diverse international contexts make us an attractive choice for professionals seeking to make a real impact. With headquarters in vibrant cities like Syracuse, London, and Brussels, our team enjoys a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Legal Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience with NGOs or international law. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on NEF’s mission and values. Show us that you understand the importance of community-led solutions and how your legal expertise can support their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Global Legal Advisor. Highlight your ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice across multiple jurisdictions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the NEF team.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Legal Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the role of Global Legal Advisor. Keep it concise, engaging, and tailored to NEF's mission.
Showcase Your CV:Your CV should be a clear reflection of your qualifications and experience. Focus on your legal expertise, especially in international law and NGO contexts. Use bullet points for easy reading and make sure to include any relevant achievements.
References Matter:When listing your references, choose individuals who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Ideally, one should be from your current or most recent employer. Let them know they might be contacted!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining NEF!
How to prepare for a job interview at Near East Foundation
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on international law, NGO law, and the specific legal frameworks relevant to NEF's operations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in multi-jurisdictional contexts.
✨Understand NEF's Mission
Familiarise yourself with NEF’s work in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus. Show genuine interest in their community-led approach and be prepared to discuss how your legal expertise can support their mission of reducing poverty and empowering communities.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Think about potential legal challenges NEF might face in different countries. Prepare to discuss how you would advise on risk management and compliance in these scenarios, showcasing your practical, solution-oriented approach.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves translating complex legal concepts into actionable guidance, practice explaining legal terms in simple language. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with non-legal stakeholders, which is crucial for this advisory position.
