Senior Legal Officer (Labour Relations), Strategic Communications

Senior Legal Officer (Labour Relations), Strategic Communications

ECF - European Climate Foundation

Brussels or Remote

About the European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level.

We support over 1000 partner organisations to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

The ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause. If you share our values of respect, innovation and collaboration, join us.

About the role

The ECF’s strategic communications team is the outreach unit of the foundation. Its role is to act as a centre of expertise for communication on climate change and to play an active role in helping create more political, media and public endorsement for action on climate change at an international, national and sectoral level. Team members deliver strategic advice, communications and outreach support to ECF’s programmes and its grantees, and work as part of a global network of communications experts to enhance the public debate on climate change and its solutions.

As Senior Legal Officer, Labour Relations, you will bring your expertise in global employment law, labour law and social security matters as well as employment relations to our growing Legal and People & Culture team. Your primary aim will be to provide support and guidance in line with our values, JEDI principles and ambition to offer an excellent staff experience across our network of members based in nearly forty countries around the world. You will be the trusted in-house expert on global employment law, labour law, social security matters, legal aspects of employment relations and consultancy contracts, educating staff from a legal perspective regarding the above aspects of law and being the Designated Safeguarding Officer for the Child Safeguarding and Protection policy. You will be the main point of contact for our external global law firm network, who provide services beyond our in-house legal team.

Reporting to the Legal Counsel, Strategic Communications, you will collaborate closely with our in-house legal team, as well as the wider Global Operations Team including finance, People & Culture, IT, Grant & Contracts, and the wider strategic communications team. This is an exciting opportunity for a versatile, strategic and experienced legal professional who enjoys working in dynamic international settings.

Key responsibilities

• Be the trusted go-to and in-house expert on the legal aspects of global employment law and consultancy contracts, labour law, social security matters, legal aspects of employment relations, relations with work councils, employment litigation etc.;
• In collaboration with the operations team, design and implement guidelines, policies, processes and information sessions/training for team members on relevant legal matters;
• Provide awareness raising and education to staff from a legal perspective;
• Be the main point of contact for our external global law firm network;
• Be the Designated Safeguarding Officer for the Child Safeguarding and Protection policy and the legal partner for talent justice policies (eg Grievance, Disciplinary, Harassment Bullying Discrimination, Code of Conduct);
• Manage a budget to select, retain and manage outside counsel as needed;
• Represent the team to funders and external stakeholders as needed.

Experience and competencies

• Proven in-depth knowledge in law, preference for familiarity with international regulations e.g. International Labour Organisation conventions and standards;
• Extensive professional experience (5-8 years) in global employment law and labour law; experience with transnational employment relations across several legal systems an asset;
• Very good understanding and experience of human resources management and the legal aspects of employment relations;
• Sound judgement, being able to properly analyse complex issues and make considered recommendations even with imperfect information;
• Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach, balancing pragmatic solutions and risks in line with strategic objectives;
• The ability to adapt communications both to simplify complex legal matters for non-experts and to help distil and translate strategic objectives to other legal experts;
• The interpersonal skills to quickly build trust with partners and colleagues and to collaborate in an international team;
• Diplomacy, tact and discretion, upholding ethics and integrity;
• Gravitas sufficient to work directly with individuals and partners from diverse backgrounds at all levels;
• A high level of independence, superior time and priority management and a keen eye for detail;
• An excellent command of the English language, other languages a plus;
• The versatile and adaptable skills necessary to flourish in a fast-paced and wide-ranging work environment and work across phone/video conferencing, time zones, Slack, email, Trello, etc.;
• A commitment to an inclusive and empowering approach to facing climate change;
• A passion for excellence.

What we offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international group of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;
• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself;
• An employment or consultancy contract (dependent on location), with the possibility for renewal after 1 year.

Location

• Remote, +/- 6 hours CET. We may be able to offer co-working spaces in some locations. You must have the right to work in your location.

Start date

• As soon as possible.

How to apply

Please upload your:

• CV (in English);
• Cover letter (in English).

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups to apply.

Apply Now

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