Program Legal Associate, East Africa at Acumen

The Legal Associate will work closely with, and report to, the Program Legal Counsel in Canada and the East Africa Legal Counsel to provide legal support across all programme activities. This role will play a critical part in supporting programme delivery while ensuring adherence to internal and external requirements. A successful candidate will be expected to provide timely and relevant legal advice, collaborate with teams to effect the programme efficiently while managing overall risk, and coordinate with outside counsel as applicable. This role will be a fixed-term contract subject to the duration of the Programme. 

Principal areas of accountability: 

• Compliance: The role will work with the Program Legal Counsel and East Africa Legal Counsel to ensure that Acumen Canada activities are in compliance with Canadian laws and AEA activities are in compliance with Kenyan laws, including maintaining the legal status of local entities. Such responsibilities may include: coordinating timely governmental filings and registrations, developing and implementing appropriate policies, keeping abreast of regulatory developments, liaising with outside counsel and memorializing guidance, and rolling out compliance recommendations and advising programme teams accordingly.
• Programme Process Implementation: To optimize for efficiency and scale, internal processes will be developed to ensure the Programme’s compliance with Canadian laws and donor requirements. The role will work with the Program Legal Counsel to implement and maintain adherence to such internal processes. Responsibilities may also include conducting due diligence assessments, and collaborating with the teams to answer questions and resolve deviations from the process.
• Contract Review: The role will involve working with the Program Legal Counsel and the East Africa Legal Counsel on contract drafting and review for all programme activities. 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; the role will be expected to become familiar with relevant legal issues specific to Canada, together with the Program Legal Counsel.
• Deal Documentation & Coordination: The Legal Associate, in collaboration with the East Africa Legal Counsel, will support the AEA investing team on Acumen’s early-stage equity, debt, and other investments. Support may range from assisting with conducting due diligence, managing timely deal processes across various internal and external stakeholders, drafting and reviewing investment documentation, coordinating with outside counsel, and assisting with regulatory approvals and filings. The role will also support the East Africa Legal Counsel in providing legal advice to the team as needed during the pre- and post-investment stages.
• Project Management: The role requires supporting the Program Legal Counsel and the East Africa Legal Counsel  in developing and implementing various projects on behalf of the programme, including collaborating with colleagues across functions, self-discipline and problem solving to progress in the face of uncertainty, and assisting in creating milestones toward timely execution. The role will also support initiatives to improve processes, including developing templates, tools, and resources in collaboration with programmatic teams. A successful candidate can effectively juggle multiple workstreams simultaneously, proactively manage priorities, and consistently ensure deadlines are met.

Qualifications and skills

• Minimum 2 years experience practicing transactional law and supporting legal projects across various stakeholders; familiarity with venture capital investing is a plus, as is in-house experience.
• Ability to assess potential legal liabilities associated with various business activities and support the implementation of risk management protocols.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, help simplify complex issues, and contribute to practical and creative solutions.
• Ability to work proactively and under pressure, as well as support projects to completion.
• 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 is a plus.
• Self reflective and aligned with Acumen values.
• Permanently authorized to work in Kenya, with a license to practice law.