Application Guide
How to Apply for Legal Counsel - International
at Onja
🏢 About Onja
Onja is a unique social enterprise that transforms underprivileged youth in Madagascar into world-class remote front-end developers, creating a sustainable cycle of education and economic empowerment. Working here means contributing directly to Madagascar's development while being part of a mission-driven organization that values social impact as much as professional excellence.
About This Role
As Legal Counsel - International at Onja, you'll provide crucial legal guidance on employment law and dispute resolution for a remote team across international jurisdictions, ensuring compliance while supporting the organization's social mission. This part-time role directly impacts Onja's ability to scale its transformative education model while managing legal risks in a complex international context.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing employment contracts for new Malagasy developers, advising management on international compliance issues, designing legal training materials for remote staff, and collaborating with external counsel on specific jurisdictional matters—all while ensuring every legal decision supports Onja's mission of transforming lives through tech education.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Onja Is Looking For
- A qualified lawyer with specific experience in employment law and international compliance, particularly in remote work contexts
- Someone passionate about social impact who can balance legal rigor with Onja's mission-driven approach to youth empowerment
- An excellent communicator who can simplify complex legal concepts for non-legal staff and design effective training programs
- A proactive problem-solver who can anticipate legal challenges in a growing social enterprise operating across multiple jurisdictions
📝 Tips for Applying to Onja
Highlight any experience with international employment law, particularly in developing countries or remote work contexts
Demonstrate understanding of social enterprise legal structures and the unique compliance challenges they face
Show how your legal skills can support both risk management AND mission advancement simultaneously
Reference specific aspects of Onja's model (like the 'pay forward' system) in your application materials
Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote, part-time capacity while maintaining strong stakeholder communication
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with employment law in international or remote work contexts', "How your legal expertise can support both compliance AND Onja's social mission simultaneously", 'Your approach to designing practical legal training for non-legal staff in a remote environment', "Why you're specifically drawn to Onja's model of transforming youth in Madagascar through tech education"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Onja's specific training model and 'pay forward' system for funding new students
- → Madagascar's employment laws and regulations relevant to remote tech workers
- → Legal structures and compliance challenges common to social enterprises
- → Onja's current team structure and how legal counsel would interface with different departments
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with a generic corporate law background without showing understanding of social enterprise or international contexts
- Focusing only on risk avoidance without considering how to enable Onja's mission and growth
- Failing to demonstrate how you'd work effectively in a remote, part-time capacity across time zones
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!