Legal Counsel – Emergency Cash & U.S. Programs

About the role

GiveDirectly is building a rapid‑response legal model to deliver emergency cash assistance worldwide and to support its U.S. cash‑transfer programs. The role combines strategic legal design, partnership negotiation, and on‑the‑ground support during crises.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement a repeatable legal framework for emergency cash responses, covering country entry, regulatory review, government engagement, contracting, data use and local counsel coordination.
• Lead the legal work during active emergencies, providing rapid recommendations, drafting and negotiating partnership, technology, vendor and data‑sharing agreements, and capturing lessons to improve the model.
• Serve as primary legal partner for U.S. programs, advising on program design, eligibility, public‑benefits interaction, tax treatment, privacy, state‑specific requirements and negotiating agreements with governments, research institutions and payment providers.
• Collaborate with Corporate & Strategic Affairs, Africa Programs & Country Operations, and Legal Operations teams to ensure consistent standards and efficient delegation of routine tasks.

Required profile

• Qualified attorney in at least one jurisdiction with post‑qualification experience advising on complex program, commercial or regulatory matters in fast‑moving environments.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities and make sound legal judgments under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and a commitment to GiveDirectly’s values and inclusive culture.

Required skills

• Commercial contracting – drafting and negotiating complex partnership, technology, vendor and data‑related agreements.
• Data privacy and data‑protection law knowledge.
• Ability to quickly understand unfamiliar legal and regulatory frameworks and translate them into clear guidance.

What we offer

• Base salary of $134,400 (USD) with a target performance bonus of 10%.
• Remote work with required overlap of at least three hours with an East Africa timezone.
• Opportunities to shape global humanitarian legal practice and work on high‑impact programs.