Legal Counsel Organisation

Overview

Permanent* / full time. Offered on a 12 month contract basis initially, with possibility of extension / move to permanent contract, subject to local terms.

Location:

Amsterdam, the Netherlands (hybrid).

Salary:
The approximate gross salary for this role will be around €75,097.75 - €80,104.26 per annum (including 8.33% holiday pay), which is 75-80% of the salary band, in which you can grow to 100%.

Eligibility:
Applicants must speak and write English and Dutch at C2-level, and be a member of the Dutch Bar or have the possibility to reactivate Dutch bar registration.

Greenpeace International (GPI) is looking for a Legal Counsel Organisation to provide independent and solutions-oriented legal advice and support to Greenpeace International (GPI) on strategic and operational organisational matters. The Legal Counsel Organisation provides strategic legal advice to National and Regional Greenpeace Organisations (NROs) on legal matters, with a focus on governance-related issues.

The Legal Counsel Organisation is part of the three-member GPI Organisation and Governance Team. In addition to the Legal Counsel, it consists of a Senior Legal Counsel and an Associate Legal Counsel. The purpose of the team’s work is to:

• Protect Greenpeace International and the organisations and people in the Greenpeace Network to allow them to take smart risks in fulfilling its mission;
• Further Greenpeace International’s and the Greenpeace network’s objectives; and
• Support the development and implementation of the Global Legal Framework.

• Advise on compliance with national and international laws, guidelines, and internal policies to protect GPI’s integrity, assets, and reputation.
• Offer legal advice on employment law matters, contracts, policies, compliance, and governance to all GPI departments and units.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of internal policies and practices.
• Provide governance advice and support to GPI and GPI’s consolidated entities and maintain relationships with directors.
• Negotiate, draft, and review contracts, and develop standards for contracting and contract management.
• Represent the Legal Unit in cross-departmental discussions and committees.
• Select and instruct external counsel.
• Offer strategic advice on governance, registration, and compliance issues to NROs.
• Advise on the bilateral relationship between GPI and NROs.
• Monitor and promote civic space issues, focusing on the right to association and good governance.
• Build resilience across the Greenpeace network and participate in crisis management if needed.
• Liaise with governance bodies and stakeholders on legal matters and maintain relevant legal networks.
• Represent Greenpeace International in pro bono legal networks.
• Develop and provide training on legal issues and manage legal information systems.
• Promote the Global Legal Framework across GPI and the Greenpeace network.
• Support the management of Greenpeace’s trademarks and intellectual properties, updating enforcement standards and policies.
• Ensure legal representation in commercial and organisational disputes, selecting and instructing external counsel as needed.

• Dutch bar registration or the possibility to reactivate Dutch bar registration
• Fluent in written and spoken Dutch and English. Knowledge of additional languages is an added value
• Substantial and demonstrable work experience as an attorney-at-law (advocaat) and/or in-house legal counsel in the Netherlands
• Demonstrable knowledge of Dutch employment law
• Knowledge of legal operations, finance, maritime law, or (charity) tax law is an added value
• Ability to develop, implement, and manage complex projects and guide legal project teams
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and ability to lead and collaborate with cross-cultural teams
• Exceptional influencing skills, and strong negotiation, conflict resolution, communication, and presentation skills
• Strong ability to communicate complex legal issues, tailored to targeted audiences
• Strong skills in capacity-building, training, and knowledge transfer
• Ability to work under pressure
• Analytical skills
• Proactive and solutions-focused
• Flexible approach to working with…