[Hiring] Country Office Legal Counsel @Relief International

Role Description

The Legal Counsel will work closely, as appropriate, with RI's country leadership, HR, Finance, Awards and Partnerships, Supply Chain and Operations, Security, and relevant global office colleagues.

RI Philippines seeks to engage a Philippine-licensed lawyer in good professional standing to provide accessible, timely, practical, and risk-informed legal support to the organization. The Legal Counsel will help RI:

• Maintain its legal and regulatory standing in the Philippines;
• Identify and manage legal risks arising from its programs and operations;
• Make legally informed employment, contractual, operational, and governance decisions;
• Maintain appropriate documentation and compliance records;
• Respond appropriately to government inquiries, complaints, disputes, and potential claims;
• Coordinate Philippine legal requirements with RI’s global policies, donor obligations, and organizational structure.

The Legal Counsel is expected to provide clear and operationally practical advice, including recommended actions, responsible parties, deadlines, risk levels, and options available to RI.

Qualifications

• A valid Philippine license to practice law and be in good professional standing;
• Demonstrated experience in Philippine corporate, regulatory, contractual, and general organizational law;
• Experience providing retained legal support to organizations, companies, NGOs, international organizations, or similar entities;
• Strong legal research, drafting, review, and communication skills;
• Ability to provide practical and timely legal advice;
• Familiarity with Philippine government regulatory and corporate compliance requirements;
• Experience working with international NGOs or humanitarian organizations is highly desirable.

Requirements

• Advise RI on routine Philippine legal, regulatory, and corporate compliance requirements, including but not limited to SEC requirements and permits for licensing.
• Provide legal advice and written opinions on routine matters arising from operations, including but not limited to disputes and resolutions arising from employee-employer matters brought before the Department of Labor and Employment, matters relating from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
• Review contracts, agreements, MOUs, leases, government documents, authorizations, and other organizational documents.
• Provide notarial services during the contract period.

Benefits

• Services will be provided on an ongoing basis throughout the contract period, with advice, document review/drafting and regulatory support provided as requested by RI.
• The Legal Counsel will provide timely legal advice, document review and drafting, regulatory guidance, government liaison and notarial services within the scope above.
• The Contractor will maintain appropriate records of work undertaken and provide a summary of services with each invoice.

Safeguarding and conduct

• Uphold and promote RI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.
• Ensure that your behaviour inside and outside of work promotes the values outlined in RI’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.
• Contribute to ensuring that all those who come into contact with RI staff and the communities we serve can be trusted to work safely with them.

RI Values

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability