Counsel, International Compliance
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. Our team of more than 550 staff — including more than 200 lawyers — wields the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect public health, address environmental injustice, defend and restore magnificent places and irreplaceable ecosystems, and transition our economy to 100% clean energy while working to protect people and the planet from climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, tribes, individuals, and communities to address the environmental crises of our time. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring excellent staff who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco, with offices in Anchorage, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tallahassee, and Washington, D.C.
Earthjustice seeks a Counsel, International Compliance to assist the Office of the General Counsel with legal compliance and management of risk for Earthjustice’s International Program, which works across borders to use U.S., non-U.S., and international law to protect the global environment. Drawing on deep experience in environmental, human rights, and energy law across jurisdictions around the world, and in litigation and regulatory reform, we work with partners in Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and elsewhere to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and advance clean energy, defend biodiversity and the natural world, and protect human health. Several attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel, as well as most International Program team members are currently based in Earthjustice’s office in San Francisco, with others based elsewhere in the United States. We also work with partners in some locations outside the United States.
The Counsel, International Compliance will play a crucial role in ensuring the organization’s risk assessment and legal compliance. This position will report to the General Counsel and will work alongside other members of the General Counsel’s Office. The position will be responsible for providing legal advice and guidance on a wide range of risk and compliance matters, including international legal and ethical compliance, foreign domestic law compliance, data security, data privacy, anti-corruption, external retaliation risks, and labor and employment law.
The individual in this role will also work with the International Program to provide risk assessment analysis, compliance support and guidance, as well as assist with the implementation of training and best practices. The individual must be comfortable working in areas where there is often significant legal and/or regulatory uncertainty.
Earthjustice is a legal advocacy organization with a particular focus on litigation, so the successful candidate for this position is likely to be an attorney with litigation and international experience outside the United States and/or in international forums.
This position would be based in Earthjustice’s offices in San Francisco, CA, Washington, D.C., or New York, New York working on a hybrid basis and will report to the General Counsel based in San Francisco.
Responsibilities
Research and analyze international laws, foreign domestic laws, and regulations applicable to the organization’s activities.
Provide legal advice and guidance on compliance matters, including international legal and ethical compliance, foreign domestic compliance, data security, data privacy, anti-corruption, and labor and employment law.
Develop and implement compliance policies, procedures, training, and management programs.
Oversee the process of partnering on the development, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of risk assessment programs.
Ensure appropriate risk assessment and mitigation measures are built into key partnerships alongside internal and external stakeholders.
Conduct compliance audits and assessments to identify and address potential risks.
Monitor and report on compliance trends and developments.
Assist in the development and implementation of compliance training for staff.
Work with the General Counsel in compliance-related investigations, audits, and legal proceedings.
Collaborate with colleagues in other departments to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Work actively with other staff across Earthjustice to ensure collaboration across the organization’s domestic and international work and to ensure strategic alignment of Earthjustice’s advocacy inside and outside the United States.
Promote an inclusive work environment and model inclusive behaviors.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Attorney with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent non-U.S. law degree from an accredited law school, with at least 5 years of litigation or other relevant experience in a non-U.S. country or in international law.
Understanding of and experience with advocacy and litigation in both common law and civil law frameworks and with the conditions and challenges related to environmental and human rights protection in the Global South.
Understanding of global threats and risks, and of international tools, forums, and processes that seek to address these.
Excellent research and analytical skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Problem solving, risk analysis, and project management skills. Experience working in a non-profit or international environment is preferred.
Experience working in international and/or cross-cultural settings.
Commitment to serving the public interest, and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.
Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
Ability to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
Familiarity or experience working with issues related to climate change, fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure, and/or energy policy and law is desirable.
The ideal candidate will have experience working with teams outside the United States, along with a preferred professional fluency in at least one language in addition to English.
We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive.
The salary is dependent on location and experience.
Salary range in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY: $172,500 - $191,700
Salary range in Washington, DC: $164,00 - $182,200
To Apply:
Interested applicants should submit the following application materials via Jobvite by October 16th, 2024 to be considered:
Resume
Cover letter
Additional Documents (select “Add Files” in Jobvite):
Writing Sample
Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only accepts resumes submitted for positions that are currently open. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via the online application process (where available), will not be reviewed or retained.
Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.
For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
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