The CIFF Legal team supports the organisation in its grants making activities and partnerships, as well as providing advice on a range of compliance and regulatory matters (e.g. charity law and data protection). The team also advises on programme specific issues, ranging from its management of sub-grants to intellectual property advice, as well as being responsible for the administration of the organisation, including risk reviews and insurances.

This is an exciting opportunity for a legal intern to join CIFF and gain valuable insight into the legal issues affecting a large, international philanthropic foundation. You will report to the Senior Legal Counsel but will work with other members of the team as well, including the General Counsel. You will also be working closely with members of CIFF from across our sectors and international offices.

You will learn essential skills from the Legal team, such as contract drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management. Most importantly, you will be able to work on projects that support the development and protection of children as well as addressing climate change.

The internship has been designed to provide an opportunity for candidates to gain in-house experience in the not-for-profit sector. The role has been designed to be dynamic and encourage learning and it provides the candidate an opportunity to enhance their CV and gain experience which they can draw upon throughout their future legal career.

You will also receive a Learning and Development allowance to spend on training courses of your choosing to support your future legal or not-for profit aspirations.

Requirements

Role’s responsibilities

• Assisting with contract drafting and negotiations with CIFF’s grantee organisations in children’s development and climate change.
• Preparing confidentiality agreements, amendment agreements, consultancy agreements and other ancillary documents in the context of grants and other services.
• Assisting with legal due diligence on CIFF’s proposed grantees.
• Assisting in the management process of proposed grants and other projects (e.g. pipeline reviews).
• Managing signing of documents and liaising with the project managers where necessary to finalise agreements.
• Carrying out legal research on a variety of matters relating to programme issues, legal and regulatory issues (including charity law), programme governance issues, conflicts of interest, commercial contracts and consultancy contracts.
• Providing input to improve legal processes (e.g. contract management process).
• Taking minutes of committee meetings and incorporating comments by liaising with relevant members of the programme and support teams.

Membership of the team

• This role does not hold line management responsibility, but we expect all employees to demonstrate good leadership behaviours; this includes adopting a coaching approach with colleagues to help build skills, confidence, and capability in particular areas, processes or procedures.
• As required, support on the planning and coordination of inductions for new joiners to the team.
• We operate a matrix structure so reporting lines can vary between specific aspects of the role.

Skills & Experience  

• A qualification in law, although we will consider candidates with other related backgrounds dependent on experience.
• Strong research skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Some previous experience of drafting or reviewing basic contracts.
• A demonstratable interest in one or more areas of CIFF’s work.
• Understanding of relevant programming in CIFF’s priority impact areas
• Demonstrates professional, sound judgement; can think critically, objectively and strategically
• Strong interpersonal skills – engages with others to get the best out of them and works well as part of a team
• Effective organisational and project management skills; able to be flexible as priorities and needs change, and works well under pressure
• English is CIFF’s business language – we expect all of our people to display good verbal and written communication skills across all aspects of their role
• Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness
• IT proficiency (most specifically in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Ability to work well independently; a motivated self-starter, with good initiative and problem-solving skills

Key working relationships

• Other CIFF teams – particularly Finance and External Affairs
• Contacts within global partners and stakeholders – e.g. UNICEF, WHO, World Bank et al
• Contacts within international charities and NGOs – e.g. Gates Foundation, Save the Children, Oxfam et al
• Contacts within national governments and local NGO partners in priority geographies

Management dimensions

• No direct budget or people management accountability but contributes to the efficient operation of their team.

Benefits

The starting salary for this role is GBP 26,400

CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees works some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process.

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following. All these will be prorated to the fixed term.

• Annual leave – 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service, to a maximum of 30 days.
• Training allowance
• Wellbeing allowance
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance

Please submit your application on or before 20th November 2024

Please note that this internship is for 6 months only, but we are looking to shortlist candidates and extend offers for 2 intakes (the first starting January 2025, and the second starting July 2025).