General Counsel

GENERAL COUNSEL – VILLAGE ENTERPRISE Location: Remote/Flexible (Global), with periodic international travel required (approximately 15–20%) Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Position Type: Full-time, Executive Leadership Compensation: USD 188,000, commensurate with experience, plus benefits ABOUT VILLAGE ENTERPRISE Village Enterprise exists to end extreme poverty in rural Africa through entrepreneurship and innovation. Since 1987, the organization has empowered over 40,000 entrepreneurs across Africa by providing comprehensive business training, seed capital, and ongoing mentoring support. Each year, Village Enterprise enables more than 10,000 new entrepreneurs to launch approximately 3,000 enterprises, creating sustainable economic opportunities in some of Africa's most underserved communities. THE OPPORTUNITY Village Enterprise is seeking an experienced and strategic General Counsel to establish and lead the organization's first formal Legal Department. This is a unique opportunity for a senior legal executive to build a legal function from the ground up while serving as Village Enterprise's principal legal advisor. You will blend hands-on legal practice with strategic leadership, personally managing critical legal matters while designing comprehensive legal frameworks that support the organization's expanding operations across Africa and the United States. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Board of Directors and its Audit and Governance Committee, you will shape Village Enterprise's legal infrastructure and ensure the organization operates with excellence across all jurisdictions. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES You will establish and lead the Legal Department by developing legal strategy, policies, and operating procedures; building and managing a high-performing legal team; and creating robust contract management and compliance monitoring systems. As the primary legal advisor, you will counsel the Chief Executive Officer, executive team, and board on complex legal matters. You will draft, review, and negotiate agreements including donor contracts, partnership agreements, sub-awards, technology agreements, and data-sharing arrangements. You will manage regulatory and compliance oversight across multiple jurisdictions including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. You will ensure the organization meets all U.S. nonprofit obligations, particularly IRS 501(c)(3) compliance requirements, and oversee safeguarding, anti-corruption, sanctions compliance, and privacy and data protection initiatives. You will partner with the Chief Financial Officer on developing and implementing a comprehensive risk management framework. You will manage litigation, disputes, investigations, and relationships with outside counsel to protect organizational interests. You will provide comprehensive employment and labour law guidance across multiple jurisdictions, advising on executive employment agreements, employee relations matters, and investigations as needed. You will support donor, programmatic, and field operations by ensuring legal compliance for program implementation, research activities, and field operations. You will conduct due diligence assessments for partners, vendors, and subcontractors to mitigate organizational risk. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS You must hold a law degree (JD, LLB, or equivalent) from an ABA-accredited law school or equivalent recognized institution, and maintain active bar membership. You bring a minimum of 10 to 15 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior in-house counsel or general counsel capacity. You have significant experience advising multi-jurisdictional, mission-driven organizations. You have a proven track record building and leading a legal function from inception or expansion phases. You are proficient in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, grants, and other complex agreements. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE Experience serving as General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel of a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization with international operations is highly valued. Familiarity with IRS nonprofit regulations and international grant compliance frameworks strengthens your candidacy. Experience working with FCDO, World Bank, or other major bilateral and multilateral donor frameworks is a plus. Background with innovative financing structures such as development impact bonds or results-based financing demonstrates strategic sophistication. TO APPLY Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages) along with contact information for 3 professional references through the online application platform at https://villageenterprise.careers.flair.hr/positions/a78Jw00000E5KE9IAN