Global Legal Advisor

Near East Foundation•Syracuse, NY

6d•$100,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

NEF is recruiting a Global Legal Advisor to play a central advisory role in strengthening, coordinating, and supporting legal matters across the organization as well as ensuring alignment and compliance across all locations. The Global Legal Advisor provides strategic, high-level legal advice and oversight across NEF’s global operations, ensuring that the organization operates within applicable legal and regulatory frameworks while supporting sound decision-making. This role is strictly advisory in nature and does not hold operational or managerial authority over programs or country operations. The position is designed to provide clear, practical, and risk-informed legal guidance to leadership, without responsibilities in day-to-day implementation. Based at NEF’s US headquarters, the role covers legal matters across all NEF entities (US, UK, Belgium) and all countries of operation, working closely with senior leadership, compliance, HR, and operations teams. The position focuses on risk identification, legal clarity, and institutional protection, enabling NEF to operate confidently in complex and high-risk environments. Ensures all offices meet legal operating requirements at the local and HQ level.

Requirements

Qualified lawyer with 8–12+ years of experience in international law, NGO law, or corporate/international advisory.
Strong experience working across multiple jurisdictions (US, Europe, and/or fragile contexts).
Proven ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice (not purely theoretical).
Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to operate at senior leadership level.
Ability to balance risk management with operational realities.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate legal concepts into clear guidance.
Candidates should possess the right to work in the location where they are applying.