Staff Attorney

Background/IRC Summary:

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 Limited Term Staff Attorney will work with the General Counsel and other staff within the General Counsel’s Office regarding all legal matters pertaining to the organization’s private fundraising, international field programs and domestic refugee resettlement offices. 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.

Major Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate fundraising, licensing, non-disclosure, cause marketing, consultant, procurement, and other commercial contracts, terms and conditions, memoranda of understanding, and other business arrangements.
• 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 Private Fundraising/Global Partnerships and Philanthropy; Crisis Response; Recovery & Development; Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration Departments; and to the program field teams.
• Provide background information and legal research as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Legal Compliance Officer, including on application of the USA Patriot Act and Executive Order 13224 and other federal laws when engaging in third-party transactions and various state 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: Deputy General Counsel and Associate General Counsels

Job Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to practice and in good standing with New York State.
• 5-7 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.

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.

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.