Application Guide
How to Apply for Legal Counsel - International
at Onja
🏢 About Onja
Onja is a social enterprise that transforms lives by training underprivileged youth in Madagascar into world-class software developers and connecting them to remote work. As a fully remote, mission-driven organization, you'll directly contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty while shaping legal frameworks for a growing global team.
About This Role
As Legal Counsel - International, you'll safeguard Onja's legal interests across jurisdictions, focusing on employment law and dispute resolution. Your work will directly enable the organization to scale its impact by ensuring compliance, managing risks, and training staff on legal matters.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing employment contracts for new hires across different countries, followed by a video call with management to advise on a compliance issue. You might then draft a policy update, research a labor regulation, and prepare a short training module for staff, wrapping up by coordinating with external counsel on a dispute.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Onja Is Looking For
- A legally qualified professional with a Bachelor of Laws or equivalent, passionate about using their skills for social impact.
- Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and high ethical standards, comfortable advising management and collaborating with external counsel.
- Analytical and research-savvy, able to work independently in a remote, part-time capacity while supporting a diverse international team.
📝 Tips for Applying to Onja
Tailor your cover letter to highlight your experience with employment law and dispute resolution, as these are core to the role.
Demonstrate your understanding of Onja's mission by mentioning how your legal expertise can support their social enterprise model.
Since it's part-time and remote, emphasize your ability to manage your own schedule and communicate effectively across time zones.
Showcase any experience working with international teams or across different legal systems, as Onja operates globally.
Provide specific examples of how you've designed organizational policies or delivered legal training in past roles.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for social impact and alignment with Onja's mission to empower underprivileged youth.", "Specific experience in employment law and dispute resolution, with examples of how you've mitigated legal risks.", 'Ability to work independently in a remote, part-time capacity while maintaining high ethical standards.', 'Your collaborative approach to working with management, staff, and external counsel to ensure compliance.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Onja's website and blog to understand their training model, impact metrics, and current team structure.
- → Research the legal landscape in Madagascar, especially employment laws that might affect Onja's local operations.
- → Look into international employment law considerations for remote workers, particularly in countries where Onja hires.
- → Familiarize yourself with social enterprise legal structures and common challenges they face.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic cover letter; failing to mention Onja's mission or specific role requirements shows lack of effort.
- Avoid focusing only on corporate law experience without highlighting employment law and dispute resolution skills.
- Don't overlook the part-time and remote nature; failing to address how you'll manage your time can raise concerns.
📅 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!