Assistant General Counsel, Legal

About Accion

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build more than 235 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching more than 350 million people. More at http://www.accion.org

About the Legal Department

Accion's Legal Department manages all aspects of Accion's Legal, Compliance and Risk Programs. Working closely with each department, the Legal Department plays a critical role in ensuring that Accion's mission advances, its goals are met, and projects are successful by combining experienced counsel with strong business sensibilities.

Position Summary

Accion is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join the Legal Department and provide day-to-day legal advice and counsel to stakeholders throughout the organization on a wide variety of legal issues. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel will be able to provide support in non-profit legal matters, contract drafting and negotiation, charitable solicitations and corporate filings, employment, corporate governance, intellectual property, and other areas relevant to Accion's global operations and activities.

In addition, the Assistant General Counsel will assist the Deputy General Counsel with the operational aspects of the organization's Risk Management Program. The Assistant General Counsel will also be responsible for assisting with the organization's compliance-related activities, including global sanctions (OFAC) and anti-money laundering/counter terrorist financing (AML/CTF) screenings support and analysis, and the development, review and training on policies and procedures. The successful candidate will have experience in cross-border contracting and legal/regulatory risks, engaging with local counsel in various markets, and assisting colleagues at headquarters and in country offices.

Washington D.C. hybrid OR Remote position in Eastern or Central time zone.

Position Responsibilities

Negotiate, draft, structure, and review agreements related to Accion's global operations and programmatic initiatives
• Support the provision of legal advice and counsel in various areas of law, including tax-exempt organizations, corporate, employment, intellectual property, privacy, OFAC, AML/CTF, and anti-bribery and corruption
• Support the Deputy General Counsel and collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and implement policies and procedures that align with legal and regulatory requirements and promote best practices
• Assist the Deputy General Counsel with the operational aspects of the organization's Risk Management Program, including risk assessments, program updates (risk registers and profiles), monitoring of risk mitigations and action plans, preparation of risk reports for senior management, and fostering a risk-aware culture through effective communication, collaboration and training
• Conduct legal research and stay informed about emerging legal and regulatory issues and best practices that may impact the organization
• Support the review, coordination and response to due diligence inquiries from prospective funders, program partners, and investors
• Provide timely OFAC and AML/CTF screening support and analysis, including advising on escalated transaction, entity and individual screening alerts
• Assist in managing/structuring the governance of Accion's international entities
• Assist in maintaining charitable solicitation and related registrations
• Provide ad hoc support for investments transactions, SEC Registered Investment Adviser, and private equity funds on an as-needed basis
• Contribute to developing and maintaining contract template forms and other materials related to contracts and contracts management
• Improve existing knowledge management processes for the Legal Department
• Contribute to training events and other development processes
• Support Legal Department technology initiatives and strategy
• Have an understanding that a successful in-house counsel provides critical advice and guidance to internal business leaders. This requires continually learning about the ever-evolving interplay between the business goals and the various laws that apply.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required

Position Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from accredited law school and Bar admission in good standing in at least one state or the District of Columbia
• 5 (or more) years of legal experience; candidates with at least two years of legal experience as a generalist or contract-focused role in a corporate or non-profit legal department strongly preferred
• Must have 2+ years nonprofit experience (either working in-house at a nonprofit or within a law firm practice area specializing in nonprofit/tax-exempt issues)
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating an array of contracts, such as advisory agreements, vendor agreements, grant agreements, collaboration agreements, event-related agreements, statements of work, NDAs, MOUs, etc.
• Proven experience in risk management, preferably in the financial services industry
• Knowledge of government contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements (e.g., U.S. Agency for International Development) is preferred
• Familiarity with relevant areas of law such as tax-exempt organization compliance, corporate, employment, intellectual property, privacy, OFAC, AML/CTF, ABC, etc.
• Understanding of private fund regulatory requirements and risk management principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts to a non-legal audience
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Experience working effectively and fostering an inclusive work environment as part of a diverse, multi-cultural and global organization
• Ability to balance and prioritize multiple competing priorities and responsibilities, be highly organized and exercise extreme attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and effectively manage projects and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to learn quickly and demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a high-performance team
• Excellent professional ethics, integrity, and judgment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to use discretion in the performance of daily activities
• Excellent computer skills and experience with document management systems, project extranets, databases, collaboration portals, G Suite, SharePoint, Smartsheet, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (written and spoken) preferred, but not required
• Interested in our mission and global work

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.