General Counsel

About Vital Strategies

All around the world, Vital Strategies quickens the pulse of public health. A growing global health organization that works with governments and civil society in more than 70 countries to design innovative strategies and implement evidence-based solutions to tackle todays most pressing public health issues including: air pollution, food policy, overdose prevention, road safety, public health data systems, tobacco control, and urban health.

Because of Vitals comprehensive approach, and a steadfast commitment to quality programs, the organization has expanded its global footprint in recent years currently with offices in New York, USA; Jinan, China; Paris, France; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Singapore; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Delhi, India. As Vital expands its operations, so does its visibility and reputation for excellence and impact.

Adopting promising interventions to big global health challenges can only be met by assembling the best and brightest minds in public health and international development. Vital Strategies is seeking an individual who is excited by the opportunity to play an influential role on a team addressing some of our most pressing public health needs.

About the General Counsel Role

Key areas of responsibility include:

Trusted Legal Advisor. As a member of the organizations executive leadership, provide advice and counsel to senior leaders in the organization. Partner with programs leads to provide guidance, legal opinion, and, when necessary, review of issues. Partner with

• Global Operations to assist with discussions about safety and security, including COVID and other safety-related protocols, and determination of insurance coverages and limits.
• Partner with the HR team regarding matters related to relevant employment and labor laws, immigration, and work authorization matters. Partner with the Finance team on tax, audit, and other financial matters.
• Partner with Vital team members as needed on DEI initiatives and guidelines.

Risk Management. Proactively and creatively evaluate risk factors impacting business decisions, including receipt of donor funding, entering new countries, entering in to contracts with different types of entities, and establishing policies and procedures. Anticipate legal issues that could impact the organization. Advise on potential liability and areas of risk for Vital Strategies. Oversee intellectual property matters, including copyrights and trademarks, as well as data privacy and security matters. Advise on global employment law issues.

Contracts Expert. Oversee the review of contracts, including non-disclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, service agreements, purchase agreements secondment agreements, and project transition-related agreements. Experience with MOUs with national and municipal governments. Assess, analyze, and summarize complicated legal documents, including contracts, and make suggestions for alterations of these documents. Negotiations with outside parties on contractual issues and legal disputes.

International Operations/Globalization. Advise on the organizations global expansion of its international operations, oversee office registration and closing processes, and assess advantages of registration type. Help to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for Vital Strategies globally, including its multiple offices and affiliates.

Compliance and Ethics . Be knowledgeable about and anticipate legislative and regulatory changes affecting the organization, especially industry-specific issues (e.g., tax-exempt organizations and international non-governmental organizations), employment law, corporate governance, compliance and regulatory affairs, including familiarity with regulations of the US Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Familiarity with governmental and donor lobbying rules. Advisory support for the 501(c)(3) and the 501(c)(4) organizations, oversight of the whistleblower program, and development and implementation of legal policies and procedures.

Data Regulations. Understand and advise on local and international regulations on personal data (e.g., GDPR) ownership and management.

Collaborate on public health law matters. Vital Strategies' public health law practice provides technical assistance to its global partners by conducting legal and legislative analysis, reviewing and supporting the drafting of laws and regulations, and providing best-practice guidance on policies to address leading risk factors for health. The GC may be asked to provide support to programmatic attorneys as appropriate.

Manage External Counsel. Coordinate and manage a network of external counsel that can respond to legal issues and regulations impacting Vital Strategies operations worldwide. Oversee all disputes and litigation, including managing outside counsel representing Vital Strategies.

About the Candidate

We are seeking a leader, who is familiar with non-profits (public health sector experience a plus), who understands the role of in-house counsel within a global context. Someone who thrives in fast paced, dynamic environments. You are skilled at striking the balance between good customer service, risk mitigation, and advancing our mission. You lead with strong unquestionable ethics to support the organizations mission and values, and you are adept at building trusted relationships to operate in a complex environment. You have a get-stuff-done attitude, a collaborative approach, and a strong interest in our public health mission.

Legal Experience. Minimum of 15 years of post-degree legal experience, including experience in a senior in-house counsel role. Subject matter expertise in business contracts, domestic and international labor-employment issues, and global office presence. Legal experience working internationally with a demonstrable track record of handling a wide variety of matters, including corporate governance, complex transactions, data privacy, anti- corruption and anti-bribery compliance, and interfacing with regulatorsi.e., the array of legal and compliance issues a leading NGO face in its work around the globe.

People Person. You are a natural leader and have a knack for working with othersfor understanding their needs and creating win-win solutions. Strong listening skills, and a natural ability to instill trust and confidence. You are a team-player and natural collaborator able to influence and collaborate up, down and across an organization.

Problem Solver. You see problems as mysteries to solve and can bring an analytical eye, as well as judgment, creativity, and consensus building to any challenge.

Service Oriented. You possess a can-do attitude with a client-first focus on high-quality, timely delivery of practical, actionable legal advice and business counsel.

Superior Communication Skills. You have a proven ability to effectively connect with and influence a diverse group of staff, executive leaders, Board members, outside counsel, and outside agencies. You are a polished writer, are deeply attuned to nuance in the written word, and can translate complex legal issues into plain English.

Culturally Competent. You possess a high level of cultural competency to operate in a global environment and can effectively interact with governments and stakeholders around the world.

Educational Qualifications. Law degree from an ABA accredited law school. Eligible to practice law in New York State through New York State Bar admission or registration as in-house counsel in good standing.

Multi-lingual. To successfully work in a global context, knowledge of French and Spanish would be great assets.

Interested candidates may apply submit their CV by clicking Apply to this Job below.