Legal Counsel at Acumen

2 months ago

Nairobi, Kenya Acumen Full time

Acumen was incorporated on April 1, 2001, with seed capital from the Rockefeller Foundation, Cisco Systems Foundation and three individual philanthropists. Our desire was to transform the world of philanthropy by looking at all human beings as members of a single, global community where everyone had the opportunity to build a life of dignity

About The Role

The Legal Counsel will provide support to Acumen’s East Africa and Global operations, ranging from investment transactions, compliance matters, contract review, and operational support.
The Legal Counsel will be joining a currently 6-person Global Legal Team and 21-person AEA team, and will work closely with the AEA and Global programmatic teams to implement their activities. A successful candidate will be expected to provide timely and relevant legal advice, collaborate with teams to effect their programs efficiently while managing overall risk to the organization, coordinate with outside counsel as applicable, and support and maintain cohesion within the Global Legal Team and AEA team.

Principal Areas Of Accountability

Deal Documentation & Coordination: The Legal Counsel will work closely with the AEA investing team (and other teams that invest into East Africa) to drive Acumen’s early stage equity, quasi-debt, and other investments. To the extent capacity is available, the Legal Counsel will also support investments for Acumen’s portfolio teams in other regions. The role will assist the teams from end-to-end of an investment lifecycle: from structuring deal instruments, developing term sheets, conducting due diligence, negotiating and finalizing investment documentation, managing outside counsel, to coordinating stakeholders to closing. The role will also provide legal advice to the teams as needed during the pre- and post-investment stages, including on corporate governance and board matters, and provide learning sessions to the team from time to time.
Contract Review and Management: The role will involve grant and commercial contract drafting and review for AEA teams and, to the extent capacity is available, Acumen’s Global teams. The scope may range across charitable and commercial issues, including general contract, intellectual property, data privacy, employment, governance and formation matters. Familiarity with legal issues specific to Kenya is required; familiarity with legal issues specific to 501(c)(3) organizations (a U.S. designation) is a plus. Responsibilities may include providing learning sessions to the relevant teams from time to time.
Global Legal Operational Support: The role will involve spearheading and/or managing operational initiatives relating to legal matters, cross-functionally and cross-regionally throughout Acumen. Support may range from developing and communicating internal legal guidance, updating processes to reflect best practices under applicable laws, supporting teams with proper recordkeeping, and collaborating with the Director of Legal to create efficiency and scale within the Global Legal Team.
Compliance: The Legal Counsel, in collaboration with Acumen’s Risk and Compliance Manager, will ensure that AEA activities are in compliance with local laws and best practices, especially in regards to maintaining the legal status of Acumen’s local entities. Other responsibilities may include: navigating relevant local laws across multiple jurisdictions, keeping abreast of regulatory developments, liaising with outside counsel and memorializing guidance, rolling out compliance recommendations and advising programmatic teams accordingly, and providing learning sessions to the AEA team from time to time on regulatory and compliance matters.
Project Management: The role requires developing and implementing various projects on behalf of the AEA and Global teams, including working with colleagues across functions, self-discipline and problem solving to progress in the face of uncertainty, and creating milestones toward timely execution. An example may include strategizing on efficient investment processes, including developing templates and resources as needed in collaboration with the programmatic teams.

Qualifications And Skills

Minimum of 5 years experience practicing transactional law, in particular: (1) strong commercial/corporate law background with experience in transaction advisory work covering equity and quasi equity financing structures and (2) experience working directly with investor clients.
Fluency in English.
Familiarity with venture capital investing is a plus, as is experience in the developing world or with an impact-oriented investor.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, distill complicated ideas in a clear and straightforward way, think strategically, and develop innovative solutions.
Ability to work proactively and under pressure, as well as deliver projects independently with minimal oversight required.
Ability to stay organized and keep stakeholders in the loop. Good project management and stakeholder management skills.
Familiarity with financial concepts and instruments, investment vehicles, investments, acquisitions, and similar transactions.
Strong organizational and diplomacy skills, including excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Commitment to accuracy, attention to detail and follow-through.
Amenable to working with different time zones in an efficient manner.
Commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the organization’s mission and business model.
Ability to remain cool-headed in unexpected or emotionally charged situations, using pragmatism to stay focused on the greater goal, and withstanding the tests of a rapidly changing environment with resilience, resolve, empathy and humor.
Experience with non-profit and/or investment regulations and compliance a plus.
Self reflective and aligned with Acumen values.
Permanently authorized to work in Kenya, with a license to practice law.

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