Assistant General Counsel – Africa

About the role

The Assistant General Counsel – Africa provides comprehensive legal support to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s operations across Central, East and Sudano‑Sahel Africa. Based in Kigali, the role works closely with regional managers, field teams and the New York headquarters to minimise risk and ensure compliance with donor, governmental and organisational requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Advise on and draft contracts, memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements with governments, NGOs and donors.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with local laws, donor regulations and internal governance policies across 13 African countries.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal risks related to conservation programmes, land use, wildlife protection and marine activities.
• Support the governance function by providing legal input to board matters, corporate policies and internal investigations.
• Collaborate with the finance and program teams to address regulatory issues, tax matters and grant compliance.

Required profile

• Law degree (LL.B, J.D. or equivalent) with admission to practice in at least one relevant jurisdiction.
• Minimum 5 years of experience providing legal counsel in an international non‑profit or development context, preferably with exposure to African legal environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work across multicultural teams and navigate complex stakeholder relationships.
• Strong analytical and written communication skills in English.

Required skills

• Contract drafting and negotiation.
• Regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Knowledge of donor‑funded programme requirements.
• Understanding of environmental and wildlife legislation in Africa.