Human Appeal is a global non-profit humanitarian and development organisation. We deliver life-saving emergency assistance such as food, medical aid, and disaster relief. At the same time, we run sustainable, community-led programmes in healthcare, education, and livelihoods to build resilience and self-reliance. Our experienced local teams work in vulnerable, hard-to-reach areas. Guided by a vision of a just, caring, and sustainable world, our mission is to save lives, alleviate poverty, and empower communities in line with the core humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
Position Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Legal Advisor position within the Legal department based at HQ. The Senior Legal Advisor provides expert legal guidance to support the charity's operations, governance, and strategic objectives. The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, managing legal risk, reviewing contracts and partnerships, and advising senior leadership and trustees on legal matters. Working closely with stakeholders across the organisation, the Senior Legal Advisor helps safeguard the charity's interests while enabling it to deliver its humanitarian mission effectively, ethically, and in accordance with best practice
Main Responsibilities
Provide leadership on corporate governance matters, including Board effectiveness, trustee responsibilities, constitutional matters, and regulatory reporting.
Identify emerging legal, regulatory, and sector-specific risks, developing proactive mitigation strategies to protect the charity's interests.
Lead on complex negotiations, contractual disputes, investigations, and sensitive legal matters, engaging and managing external counsel where appropriate.
Oversee the legal aspects of safeguarding, employment matters, intellectual property, and organisational policy development.
Represent the charity in interactions with regulators, government bodies, donors, partners, and external stakeholders on legal and governance matters.
Foster a culture of strong governance, accountability, and ethical practice across the organisation through leadership, guidance, and capacity building.
Serve as the charity's principal legal adviser, providing strategic counsel to the Board of Trustees, Executive Team, and senior stakeholders on complex legal, governance, and regulatory matters. • Lead the development and maintenance of a robust legal and governance framework that supports the charity's long-term objectives and international operations.
Oversee organisational compliance with charity law, company law, fundraising regulations, data protection requirements, and other applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
Advise on high-value partnerships, funding agreements, commercial arrangements, and international collaborations, ensuring legal and reputational risks are effectively managed.
NB: Employee duties are not limited only to the above-mentioned responsibilities; they may perform other duties as assigned
Candidate essential criteria
Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or equivalent legal professional with current practising status (or eligibility to practise).
Candidate desirable criteria
How to apply
We are keen to appoint the right person for this position as soon as possible and will be considering applications as they are received. To maximise your opportunity, please submit your CV by clicking the link provided to apply. We look forward to receiving your application and hearing from you.
If you have any questions about the position, please do contact Human Appeal on
[email protected]
Please note that we will only be contacting the shortlisted candidates. Applying candidates must have the legal authorisation or right to work in the designated work location/duty station.
Disclaimer: Human Appeal is committed to diversity, social inclusion, and gender equality/balance, and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. The organisation maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH), with all staff required to comply with Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEA/SH) standards and safe recruitment procedures.
