Reference No:  REC/127/23

Job title:           Deputy Head of Legal Services

Number of vacancies per Area Offices       Addis Ababa (HO)

Reports to: Head of Legal Services

Number of Posts 1 (One)

Closing date:   January 1, 2023

Job Requirements

About GOAL

GOAL’s mission is to work with the most vulnerable communities to help them respond to and recover from humanitarian crises, and to assist them to build transcendent solutions to mitigate poverty and vulnerability. 

GOAL is a non-for profit organization that has been working in Ethiopia for over 30 years across all the region of the country towards ensuring the poorest and most vulnerable in our world and those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the fundamental rights of life, including but not limited to adequate shelter, food and livelihoods, water and sanitation, nutrition, healthcare and education. GOAL implements a range of multi-sectoral development, resilience, recovery and humanitarian responses Programmes by being sensitive to cross-cutting issues including gender, accountably, child protection, HIV/AIDS.

We envision a world where poverty no longer exist, where vulnerable communities are resilient, where barriers to wellbeing are removed and where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. GOAL Ethiopia’s main donors are Irish Aid, USAID/OFDA, EHF, ECHO and other private donors. 

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Deputy Head of Legal Services will be responsible for providing accurate and timely legal advice to the organisation and its management on a variety of legal matters including but not limited to, Labour and Employment, Tax directives and government-related guidelines, Immigration, Finance, Supplies, Service & Works contracts, and general operations under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services. Key Responsibilities include conducting legal analysis and researching and evaluating different risk factors and offering proactive advice on possible legal issues. S/he must also know how to apply the law to the organization's circumstances. S/he will maintain the country’s knowledge of laws and provide clarification on legal language and advise the organization and its management accordingly. The Deputy Head of Legal Services will regularly monitor and ensure the organization's compliance with local laws. In addition, this role will be responsible for handling the organization's legal responsibilities, organizing court order responses, preparing and review of contracts and documentation as well as providing a variety of legal support. The Deputy Head of Legal Services will be delegated by the Country Director to legally represent on behalf of the organization and expect to perform his/her duty with integrity complying with the rules and regulations of the country and organization code of conduct policy.

Key Areas of Accountability/Duties

Key Duties/Task list

·       Keeping up with current changes in all relevant areas of law and contributing to the enhancement of the knowledge base of the organization’s legal function

·       To conduct legal analysis and research on various legal matters of the organization under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services.

·       To provide advice on different legal issues and assist in drafting legal opinions, contracts, memoranda, and other briefing documents under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services

·       To be actively involved in preparing and drafting different acts and legal submissions and drafting authoritative legal opinions under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services.

·       To institute, defend, appeal, respond, intervene, plead, interplead, oppose or act in any manner whatsoever, in any suit by or involving the interest of GOAL Ethiopia in any court, quasi-judicial, arbitral tribunal or other proceedings under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services.

·       To assist in reviewing the legal material and any other relevant documents and to identify the most important issues that need to be sorted out on a priority basis under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services

·       To represent GOAL Ethiopia in Addis Ababa and its areas of operation in Ethiopia in all courts under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services

·       Collect copies of court decisions and documents for future use and avail same at Addis Ababa head office

·       Prepare interim and casual legal reports on legal cases, as required by the supervisor.

·       Provide monthly legal reports and status to the Country Director and Systems Director in the absence of the Head of Legal Services

·       Give accurate and timely legal advice to the organization and management in a variety of legal topics not limited to, Labour Laws, Tax regulation, Data Protection, Employment, Immigration, Finance, Supplies, Service & Works contracts, and overall organization's operation

·       Research and evaluate different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations and apply effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advice on possible legal issues

·       Maintain current knowledge of alterations in legislation

·       S/he is responsible for formulating the best possible legal solution after analyzing the legal problem in depth.

·       S/he should be able to provide much needed legal assistance while dealing with legal tasks, litigations, contracts, and dispute resolution and guide the organization on taking an appropriate decision.

·       S/he should be skilled enough to come out with a desired outcome from the organization's point of view.

·       He/she should be able to take correct decisions and provide the necessary professional support.

·       S/he should advise whether all the court proceedings of the organization follow the requirements of the legislation.

·       S/he will analyze and research the implication of laws, legislation, etc., that may affect the organization business.

·       S/he advises the organization to minimize legal exposure and liability

·       Deal with complex matters with multiple stakeholders and forces

·       Support HR department in the reviewing and preparation of disciplinary hearing documents.

·       Support in conducting investigations and prepare witnesses in advance of a disciplinary hearing.

·       Perform all activities of the legal service in the absence of the Head of Legal Services and other tasks as assigned by the management

Departments Support:

• S/he will support in the review of a supplier, contract of employment, donor and partners agreement reviews referencing to the relevant country laws under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services

• Provide clarification on legal language or specifications to the organization and its management

• Draft and solidify agreements, contracts, and other legal documents to ensure the organization's full legal rights

• Work collaboratively with departments/sectoral heads to ensure compliance with local laws and international standards under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services.

Safeguarding:

• To foster an inclusive working environment that is non-threatening and safe for all. An environment that addresses safeguarding adequately in its processes and where the barriers to raise and discuss concerns about safeguarding issues are identified and where possible mitigated.

Work Schedule:

The job of Deputy Head of Legal Services is a full-time job and requires him/her to work in accordance with the organization working and may be required to work after working hours. 

Values & Behaviors:

• Strong commitment to upholding and promoting GOAL’s values; Respect, Integrity, Courage, Partnership and Humanitarianism.

Job Requirement

JOIN US

Do you want to join an exciting organization that brings high level impact to the community and add value to your professional advancement?  Then join us if you have:

• Bachelor/Master’s degree in law from a recognized university

• More than five years’ experience as a Legal officer /Counsel

• Must have in-depth knowledge and experience of court procedure and litigation

• Must be prepared to make ethical and moral decisions

• Previous working experience as a Legal Counsel/advisor in INGO/ Corporate organization

• In-depth knowledge of local laws and procedures

• Good organizational, prioritization, and time-management skill

• Arbitration and mediation skills

• Exemplary writing and editing skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office: - Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills and analytical skills in both written and spoken; English, Amharic, and Afan Oromo,

• Working well under pressure

• Attention to detail

• Team oriented, flexible, motivated, and keen to learn and develop.

• Discretion in handling confidential matters and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

• Excellent judgment and ability to anticipate legal issues or risks

• High degree of professional ethics, integrity, and responsibility

REMUNERATION and BENEFITS:

• GOAL will pay a competitive basic salary based on the salary grading with addition benefits.

• A chance to develop tangible experience.

• Being part of a team who continue to make a real difference to the lives of the most vulnerable people. 

Commitments:

GOAL’s recruitment procedure is fair and transparent which is also in line with the organization’s commitment to its integrity, honesty and culture. GOAL is committed to ensure that, its performance complies with the terms and conditions of relevant agreements, applicable laws & regulations. Hence, pre-employment background checks will be conducted, and employees are required to read, understand, sign and implement different polices including safeguarding and child protection policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and abuse policy, sexual harassment policy, code of conducts and any other policy, rules and regulation of the organization. GOAL is committed to safeguarding and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH). Staffs, partners and other who are in contact with GOAL work are expected to adhere to GO’L's PSEAH Policy and make ethical decisions to ensure the protection of people particularly children and vulnerable adults from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

How to Apply

• Interested and qualified applicants need to submit ONLY once their non - returnable application with CV for one vacancy. The vacancy reference number along with the title & Duty station need to be written in the application letter

• Applicants can directly apply via THIS LINK

• GOAL strongly encourages female candidates to apply!

• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and exam.

• Shortlisted candidates will need to submit other supporting documents upon request at later stage.

• GOAL is not able to contribute towards any costs incurred by candidates during the recruitment process.