Get Up to £54,000 per year as a Legal Counsel at Relief International (Remote Position)

Relief International is currently recruiting a Legal Counsel to join its Legal, Ethics & Compliance team. This remote position is open to candidates based in the organization’s countries of operation.

For applicants based in the United Kingdom, the salary is approximately £54,000 per year.

This opportunity is ideal for experienced legal professionals who want to apply their expertise in the humanitarian and nonprofit sector while supporting global operations across multiple regions.

About Relief International

Relief International is a global humanitarian nonprofit that partners with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and natural disasters. The organization focuses on saving lives, strengthening resilience, and promoting long-term health and wellbeing.

Operating in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, Relief International delivers programs in several critical areas:

• Health and Nutrition
• WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)
• Education
• Livelihood development

Through these programs, the organization works with vulnerable communities to build stronger foundations for sustainable recovery and resilience.

Role Overview

The Legal Counsel will provide practical and timely legal support to Relief International’s global operations. Reporting to the Chief Legal, Ethics and Compliance Officer (CLECO), the role covers a wide range of legal matters including contracts, employment law, sanctions compliance, and data protection.

Working as part of a small legal team, the Legal Counsel will collaborate with external legal advisors in headquarters jurisdictions such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France, as well as in field offices across the organization’s operational regions.

This position requires strong analytical ability, independent judgment, and the capacity to address complex legal issues across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

The Legal Counsel will support the organization’s legal framework and operations through several important responsibilities.

Primary duties include:

• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide range of contracts and agreements
• Providing first-line legal advice on employment law across multiple jurisdictions
• Escalating complex legal matters to the CLECO or external counsel when required
• Supporting the implementation of sanctions compliance frameworks
• Assisting with data privacy and protection regulations, including
  General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Coordinating with external legal advisors in headquarters and operational countries
• Monitoring legal and regulatory developments that could affect the organization
• Identifying emerging risks and reporting them to the CLECO
• Developing legal templates, guidance documents, and compliance resources
• Supporting management of the legal team’s workflow and external counsel relationships

These responsibilities ensure that Relief International operates within legal frameworks while maintaining efficiency in humanitarian programming.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Candidates applying for the Legal Counsel position should demonstrate strong legal expertise, international awareness, and the ability to work in complex environments.

Key requirements include:

• Qualification as a licensed lawyer in a common law jurisdiction
• At least 4 years of post-qualification legal experience
• Proven experience in contract drafting and negotiation
• Working knowledge of international sanctions compliance frameworks, including:
  • Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
  • Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI)
  • European Union sanctions regimes
• Familiarity with data protection regulations, especially
  General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Experience coordinating with external legal counsel across multiple jurisdictions
• Strong ability to manage competing priorities and work independently
• Confidence providing legal advice in high-pressure or complex environments

These skills ensure that the Legal Counsel can effectively support Relief International’s global compliance and risk management strategies.

Preferred Skills and Additional Advantages

While not mandatory, certain additional experiences may strengthen a candidate’s application.

These include:

• Experience in the international humanitarian or development sector
• Multi-jurisdictional legal experience
• Knowledge of additional languages such as:
  • French
  • Arabic
  • Other languages relevant to Relief International’s operational regions

Such skills can help improve communication and coordination with field teams across different countries.

Inclusive Workplace and Diversity Commitment

Relief International emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive and representative workplace. The organization strongly encourages applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds and those with lived experience in the communities where it operates.

The recruitment process is designed to promote equal opportunity, and applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every listed requirement.

Safeguarding and Pre-Employment Checks

As a humanitarian organization, Relief International maintains strict safeguarding standards. All employees must adhere to policies related to the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Recruitment includes several pre-employment checks, such as:

• Criminal records self-declaration
• Reference verification
• Police or background checks
• Qualification verification

These measures ensure the safety and integrity of the organization’s operations.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit an application through the official job advertisement page.

Applicants will be required to provide:

• A current CV
• A one-page cover letter explaining:
  • Why they are interested in the role
  • How their experience and skills match the position

The application deadline is Monday, 23 March 2026.

Final Thoughts

The Legal Counsel role at Relief International offers an exciting opportunity for legal professionals seeking to apply their expertise within the global humanitarian sector. By providing legal guidance across contracts, compliance, and regulatory frameworks, the successful candidate will help ensure that humanitarian programs operate responsibly and effectively.

For lawyers interested in international nonprofit work, this remote position represents a meaningful chance to contribute to impactful global initiatives while advancing their legal careers.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization that is hiring. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.