How to apply for Legal Counsel, Corporate & Business Affairs

About GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is a pioneering nonprofit that delivers unconditional cash transfers directly to people living in extreme poverty, redefining how philanthropy operates by prioritizing recipient choice and dignity. Working here means joining a data-driven, evidence-based organization that challenges traditional aid models and scales impact globally. The remote-first culture and emphasis on innovation make it an exciting place for those passionate about systemic change.

About the role

As Legal Counsel, Corporate & Business Affairs, you will be the primary legal advisor to global teams, structuring complex partnerships, funding arrangements, and data privacy initiatives that enable GiveDirectly's cash transfer programs. You'll lead legal strategy for data partnerships and remote enablement across multiple countries, ensuring compliance with nonprofit regulations while supporting innovative fundraising and technology projects. This role is pivotal in balancing risk with agility to advance GiveDirectly's mission.

A typical day

A typical day might involve negotiating a data-sharing agreement with a mobile network operator in East Africa, advising the fundraising team on a complex planned giving structure, and reviewing a new partnership contract for compliance with local lobbying laws. You'll collaborate with teams across time zones via Slack and Zoom, balancing urgent requests with long-term strategy to enable GiveDirectly's mission.

Who GiveDirectly is looking for

• Qualified attorney with 5+ years of corporate, commercial, and transactional experience, including drafting and negotiating complex agreements in emerging markets.
• Demonstrated expertise in data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and experience advising on data partnerships, ideally involving mobile network operators (MNOs) or technology platforms.
• Strong background in nonprofit regulatory matters, including charitable solicitation, lobbying, and non-standard gifts, with the ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional compliance.
• Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to cross-functional teams (Partnerships, Fundraising, Finance, Tech, Product) and manage legal risk in a fast-paced, remote environment.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific experience with data privacy and technology transactions, as GiveDirectly's data partnerships and remote enablement are core to this role.
• Quantify your impact in past roles (e.g., 'negotiated 20+ partnership agreements across 5 emerging markets') to demonstrate scalability and global reach.
• Showcase familiarity with nonprofit legal frameworks, including charitable solicitation and lobbying regulations, by referencing relevant projects or cases.
• Emphasize your ability to work remotely and collaborate across time zones, as GiveDirectly is a remote-first organization with global teams.
• Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as 'complex funding arrangements,' 'MNO data relationships,' and 'nonprofit regulatory compliance,' to pass ATS and resonate with hiring managers.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your hands-on experience structuring and negotiating complex agreements in emerging-market jurisdictions, particularly those involving data or technology.', 'A specific example of how you advised on data privacy compliance for a cross-border initiative, ideally involving MNOs or similar partners.', "Your understanding of nonprofit regulatory nuances, such as charitable solicitation and lobbying, and how you've helped organizations navigate these while pursuing innovative funding.", "Your motivation to support GiveDirectly's mission and how your legal expertise can enable scalable, ethical cash transfer programs."]

Research before applying

• GiveDirectly's cash transfer model, including their use of mobile money and data partnerships, to understand the legal implications of their work.
• Recent legal or regulatory challenges in the nonprofit sector, especially those related to data privacy, charitable solicitation, and lobbying, to anticipate issues.
• GiveDirectly's funding sources and partnerships, such as with Google.org or USAID, to tailor your examples to their context.
• The legal landscape in key countries where GiveDirectly operates (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda) regarding data protection, nonprofit registration, and cross-border funding.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach structuring a data partnership with a mobile network operator in a new country, balancing privacy, compliance, and program goals?
• Describe a time you advised on a non-standard gift or planned giving arrangement. What legal considerations were key?
• Give an example of a complex funding agreement you negotiated. How did you handle conflicting priorities among stakeholders?
• How do you stay updated on evolving nonprofit regulations across multiple jurisdictions, and how would you apply that to GiveDirectly's global operations?
• Tell us about a situation where you had to push back on a business decision due to legal risk. How did you communicate that to non-legal colleagues?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on traditional corporate law without connecting it to nonprofit or data privacy contexts, which are central to this role.
• Using generic language about 'helping people' without demonstrating a nuanced understanding of GiveDirectly's evidence-based, direct cash approach.
• Neglecting to mention remote work experience or cross-cultural collaboration, as GiveDirectly is remote-first and operates globally.