World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks bi-lingual Counsel.

The Counsel position is an opportunity for a bilingual (Spanish/English) junior to mid-level attorney with a passion for conservation, strong project management skills, and a desire to learn about and support a diverse portfolio of projects.

The Counsel will work closely with Legal and other team members to provide legal services on a wide range of complex matters, with particular emphasis on employment matters and investigations, compliance, contract negotiation, and other issues affecting WWF’s offices in the United States and Latin America. Other areas may include non-profit tax matters, data privacy, litigation, technology, intellectual property, and other relevant areas. The Counsel will apply analytical and risk management skills to serve organizational needs efficiently and effectively and will identify and clearly articulate complex legal concepts and options to legal team members, project managers, and high-level business unit managers. The Counsel will be responsible for developing, directing, and managing multiple projects or transactions, supporting implementation of strategic program goals, and observing governance requirements. The Counsel will ensure that transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with the organization’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures. The Counsel will work closely with outside local counsel in support of our offices outside of the United States.

Salary Range: $100,000 - $147,700

Please note:

• A cover letter is required. In your cover letter, please tell us how your experience or interests make you a great candidate for this position.
• This is a job located in Washington, DC, with a hybrid schedule (current policy requires 2 days a week in the office).
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired willbe required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

• Provides sound and constructive solution-oriented advice on legal and risk issues to colleagues in the United States and international offices supported by WWF-US.

• Authors clear and precise memoranda, guidance, and other written documents as needed.

• Develop processes and templates to streamline legal support to the organization.

• Reviews and negotiates non-standard contracts, vendor agreements, grant agreements, MOUs, and other legal agreements. Advises on contract issues, including compliance, amendment, termination, and disputes/litigation.

• Keeps abreast of proposed legislation and regulations that may have an impact upon the organization, including US and international employment laws.

• Addresses legal needs of the organization assigned by manager.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies

• Professional Judgment/Risk Assessment: Excellent judgment, with an ability to assess risk and provide alternative solutions.

• Collaboration and Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrated ability to work well with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence.

• Receptiveness to Feedback: Ability to receive and effectively apply feedback from managers and colleagues.

• Organization, Drive, and Multitasking: Organized, driven, and able to effectively manage multiple matters efficiently.

• Initiative: Demonstrated ability to take initiative.

• Law Degree and D.C. bar membership (or membership in another bar with ability to become member of DC bar).
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (written and spoken) required.

• 3-6 years of experience in the legal profession, including relevant practice area(s), are required.

  • Proven experience analyzing risks and providing legal advice, including drafting memoranda, agreements, or other legal instruments.
• Strong skills with project management, systems and processes improvement, etc.
• Interest in working with employment law, contracts, investigations, etc.

• Strong and effective writing and communication skills.

• Solid legal research and analysis skills.

• Ability to coordinate and manage the support and advice from outside local counsel for organization’s operations worldwide.

• Interest in and ability to quickly and effectively learn and apply the fundamentals of additional areas of law, as needed.

• Ability to travel internationally as needed (no more than 10% of the time anticipated).

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:

  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.

  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.

  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.

  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

To Apply:

Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #26037

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.