Paralegal

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

Job Highlight:

You will integrate equity into your work.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will contribute to WRI's mission by enhancing compliance within the organization, developing robust management systems for the legal department, and collaborating with colleagues across the WRI network. You will be responsible for a variety of legal matters including tracking and managing the status of the General Counsel's assignments, conducting reviews of contracts and similar documents, and related administrative support

What will you do:

Corporate Compliance & Governance Oversight (50%): -

• Manage organization's insurance portfolio; prepare insurance renewals and liaise with insurance brokers
• Maintain and update corporate records, governmental filings, and other documentation, and facilitate and manage legal document repository
• Assist with governance and compliance issues regarding local and international affiliates and branch offices
• Develop ethics and compliance policies and procedures related to nonprofit tax issues, , sanctions, lobbying reporting, general data protection regulations; other matters; and prepare and deliver related trainings
• Research and prepare the completion of periodic government reports, filings and registrations
• Develop comprehensive knowledge of the organization's hotline ethics reporting system to effectively address and respond to inquiries from others

Drafting & Researching (25%): -

• Proofread and edit legal documents and filings to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with law
• Secure the authentication and apostille of documentation, as necessary
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda summarizing findings
• Review, edit and revise contracts, policies and other documents prepared by others
• Research and identify local and international counsel who can provide advice on legal matters. Solicit cost and service proposals from such firms and advise on the selection of the local firm. Assist with recruitment and management of pro bono counsel

Project Management (25%):-

• Support the implementation of initiatives aimed at strengthening the organization's legal global network
• Identify and implement project management tools (evaluate new solutions and adapt existing solutions) to streamline new or existing practices, as well as manage design, rollout, and training for new systems
• Develop and enforce processes and policies to manage outside counsel usage and spend and to optimize workflows within the Legal Department
• Maintain organized legal files and databases within the SharePoint folder system and ensure accessibility for relevant team members
• Develop and deliver engaging and informative training sessions in person or via virtual platforms, ensuring content is accurate and tailored to the needs of staff
• Respond to various inquiries from different organizational functions including grants and contracts, accounting, and human resource matters
• Additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a bachelor's degree in political science, law, international relations or equivalent experience. Relevant work experience is accepted in lieu of a degree

• Experience: You have a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience as full-time paralegal, legal operations or project management experience
• Experience drafting, implementing and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures
• Strong understanding of corporate insurance policies and portfolio management.
• Excellent judgment with the ability to set priorities and make timely and sound independent decisions
• Experience with project management preferred
• Ability to be flexible and work independently or in a team environment
• Extremely detail-oriented and highly organized with superior written and verbal communication skills
• Professional demeanor, superior people skills and ability to maintain confidentiality, including working well in a geographically dispersed team
• Demonstrated capacity to work well under pressure and successfully manage multiple deadlines and competing demands
• Willingness to attend meetings outside of regular, local business hours with prior notice to accommodate colleagues in other time zones
• Demonstrated capability to effectively utilize resources to complete assignments and tasks in the absence of detailed instructions
• Excellent computer skills in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), web-based communications (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.),
• Languages: English and any additional language
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: Salary range is between 84K and 95K USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 15 May 2025. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values:

WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.