Legal Counsel, Emergency Cash & U.S. Programs

GiveDirectly

. Serve as the primary legal partner to Emergency Cash across program strategy, design, launch, and delivery .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeRemote • United States, United Kingdom, KenyaMid-LevelSenior💰 $114,660 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in legal partnership for emergency cash programs, including strong commercial contracting skills and the ability to navigate complex regulatory frameworks. Capable of providing actionable legal guidance and managing competing priorities in high-pressure environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Attorney QualificationCommercial Contracting SkillsData Privacy KnowledgeEmergency Response ExperienceExcellent Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Legal AnalysisContract DraftingRegulatory ReviewData Use AgreementsNegotiation SkillsProgram Design SupportLegal Framework UnderstandingDecision Framework DevelopmentEmergency Response Legal SupportPublic Benefits Advisory

Soft Skills

Strong Legal JudgmentAbility to Translate Legal RequirementsIndependent OperationCompeting Priorities ManagementCollaboration Skills

Industry Keywords

Emergency Cash ProgramsHumanitarian OperationsCrisis-Context Legal WorkU.S. Public-BenefitsFamily LawCharitable AssistanceGovernment ProgramsInternational DevelopmentVulnerable PopulationsEmerging Markets

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the primary legal partner to Emergency Cash across program strategy, design, launch, and delivery
Build a repeatable legal model for emergency responses, covering country entry, regulatory review, government engagement, contracting, data use, and local counsel
Develop response-readiness tools, templates, and decision frameworks
Lead legal work during active emergency responses and provide clear recommendations under uncertainty
Coordinate with country teams, program-facing Counsel, and local advisors
Apply global standards for MNO data and remote enablement to individual responses
Draft and negotiate partnership, technology, vendor, data-sharing, and other agreements
Capture lessons from responses and strengthen the Emergency Cash legal model
Provide legal support for U.S. programs across design, implementation, expansion, and operations
Advise on recipient eligibility, public benefits, tax treatment, payments involving minors or caregivers, family law, privacy, data use, and state requirements
Structure and negotiate agreements with governments, research institutions, community organizations, payment providers, and other partners
Develop reusable guidance and coordinate state-specific or specialist counsel
Collaborate with Corporate & Business Affairs Counsel, Africa Programs & Country Operations Counsel, and Legal Operations
Support other priority legal matters within the global Legal team
Report to the Head of Legal

Requirements

What you’ll need

Qualification as an attorney in at least one jurisdiction, with relevant post-qualification legal experience
Experience advising on complex program, commercial, or regulatory matters in fast-moving or high-pressure environments
Strong commercial contracting skills, including drafting and negotiating complex partnership, technology, vendor, or data-related agreements
Ability to quickly understand unfamiliar legal and regulatory frameworks and advise where precedent, time, or information is limited
Strong legal and business judgment
Ability to translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for non-lawyers
Experience coordinating external counsel, consultants, or specialist advisors
Working knowledge of data privacy and data protection law
Ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and reprioritize quickly during active emergency responses
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; English fluency
Ability to overlap with an East Africa timezone by at least 3 hours
Preferred: experience in emergency response, humanitarian operations, or crisis-context legal work
Preferred: experience supporting programs or operations in new countries
Preferred: experience with U.S. public-benefits, family-law, charitable-assistance, or government-program matters
Preferred: experience across multiple jurisdictions, particularly in emerging markets
Preferred: experience with vulnerable populations or sensitive personal data
Preferred: experience in international development or another mission-driven organization
Must be eligible to work in an eligible country; GiveDirectly cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas in the U.S. or U.K.

Benefits

Comp & perks

15% bonus at target performance, with potential for upside
Annual benefits stipend: $21,393 (United States), £2,760 (United Kingdom), or $8,454 (Kenya)
Robust health benefits plan (exact details vary by country)
Flexible paid time off
Desk set-up allowance
Learning and development allowance
Supportive team
$3,000 referral reward for Senior Manager or above roles, paid if the referral is hired