Application Guide
How to Apply for Legal Counsel - International
at Onja
🏢 About Onja
Onja is a social enterprise that combines tech education with social impact, training underprivileged youth in Madagascar to become software developers. As a remote-first organization with a mission-driven culture, you'll work with a global team dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through skills development.
About This Role
As Legal Counsel - International, you'll be the primary legal advisor for a growing social enterprise, focusing on employment law and compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Your work will directly support Onja's mission by ensuring ethical practices and mitigating legal risks, enabling the organization to scale its impact.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing employment contracts for new hires in Madagascar, followed by a video call with the COO to discuss a compliance issue. You'll spend time researching labor laws in a new country where Onja is expanding, then draft a policy update. The part-time schedule allows for flexibility, but you'll need to be responsive to urgent queries from management.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Onja Is Looking For
- A qualified lawyer with a Bachelor of Laws or equivalent, ideally with experience in employment law and international legal frameworks.
- Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
- High professional ethics and strong stakeholder management skills, comfortable advising senior management and collaborating with external counsel.
- Self-motivated and analytical, able to work independently in a remote part-time role while managing multiple priorities.
📝 Tips for Applying to Onja
Highlight any experience with social enterprises, non-profits, or cross-border employment law in your resume and cover letter.
Demonstrate your understanding of Onja's mission by mentioning how your legal skills can support their dual goals of compliance and social impact.
Provide specific examples of drafting policies, managing disputes, or advising on employment law issues in diverse jurisdictions.
In your cover letter, address the part-time nature of the role and explain how you will manage your time to deliver timely advice.
Tailor your application to show familiarity with remote work dynamics and the ability to communicate effectively across time zones.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Express genuine interest in Onja's social mission and how your legal expertise can help scale their impact responsibly.", 'Emphasize your experience in employment law and dispute resolution, with concrete examples of advising organizations on compliance.', 'Highlight your ability to work independently in a remote part-time capacity, managing priorities without direct supervision.', 'Show your understanding of the legal challenges faced by international organizations, such as cross-border employment and regulatory compliance.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read about Onja's training model and how they select and support their students to understand the employment context.
- → Review the legal landscape in Madagascar, particularly employment laws and regulations affecting remote workers.
- → Familiarize yourself with common legal challenges faced by international non-profits or social enterprises, such as data privacy and cross-border contracts.
- → Look into Onja's leadership team and recent news to understand the company's growth stage and legal needs.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic legal cover letter; failing to mention Onja's mission or the part-time nature of the role suggests lack of interest.
- Avoid focusing solely on corporate law or litigation if your experience is in other areas; emphasize employment law and compliance.
- Don't overlook the need for strong English communication skills; ensure your application is clear, concise, and error-free.
📅 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!