The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and in 26 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
IRC’s Office of General Counsel, reporting to the President and CEO, provides legal advice and guidance to IRC management and the Board of Directors on a wide range of matters affecting the IRC and its affiliated entities, including contracts, employment issues, governance, requests for information, policy formulation and internal compliance, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The OGC is also responsible for overseeing domestic and international litigation and outside counsel.
Job Overview/Summary:
The Staff Attorney will work with the General Counsel and other staff within the General Counsel’s Office regarding contracting and other legal matters pertaining to the organization’s international field programs, domestic refugee resettlement offices and private fundraising. They will assist with inter-organizational legal issues, including compliance, procurement activities, state and country registrations, regulatory and private donor compliance, contract drafting, and review.
Highlights of Your Key Responsibilities:
- Draft, review, and negotiate service, licensing, non-disclosure, fundraising, consultant, procurement, data sharing and other commercial contracts, terms and conditions, memoranda of understanding, and other business arrangements in a timely, efficient and client-centered manner.
- Assist in maintaining policies and procedures, as well as providing grant and legal compliance reviews.
- Assist in drafting legal contracts and documents, including, but not limited to, legal documents requested by IRC offices, powers of attorney, and legalization certificates.
- Provide continued support to internal IRC teams, including Crisis Response, Recovery & Development; Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration; Private Fundraising/Global Partnerships and Philanthropy; Global Supply Chain; and to the program field teams.
- Provide background information and legal research as appropriate.
- Assist in providing training on legal issues and compliance to staff at all levels relating to contracting and procurement.
- Collaborate with the Legal Compliance Officer and Associate General Counsels, including on application of the USA Patriot Act and Executive Order 13224, sanctions, export controls and other federal laws when engaging in third-party transactions and various state/country registration and solicitation requirements.
- Perform miscellaneous job-related duties, research various issues and undertake special projects as assigned by the General Counsel or Deputy/Associate General Counsels.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: General Counsel
Job Requirements:
- Graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to practice and in good standing with New York State.
- 4-7 years of legal practice required, including in-house, or related contract specialist experience.
- Excellent contract drafting and negotiating skills.
- Demonstrated expertise in legal research and excellent writing skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: proven track record of communicating and liaising effectively with colleagues and third parties in an international, multi-cultural environment.
- Solid organizational skills: should be able to plan for and manage multiple projects and a multi-faceted workload and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
- Knowledge of Lexis Nexis and other legal research databases, MS Word and Excel.
Working Environment: Standard office work environment (including combination of in-office and remote work schedule).
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:
IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
US Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
Compensation:
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.