Legal Counsel

We are looking for an experienced Legal Counsel (Risk) to join our dynamic Legal & Risk team. This critical role offers the opportunity to influence and enhance Tearfund's risk management culture, support our global operations with expert legal guidance, and contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation.

The role: Working closely with teams across the organisation, you will:

• Lead on risk analysis and reporting: Engage with risk owners and focal points across Tearfund to assess, maintain, and report on organisational risks. You will manage key tools like the Corporate Risk Register with regular reporting to the Executive Team and Board Committees.
• Shape organisational understanding of risk: Support the Head of Legal & Risk in embedding best practice and fostering a culture of responsible risk-taking and compliance aligned with our strategic objectives.
• Drive process and policy improvement: Maintain and enhance risk management policies, procedures, and tools, ensuring they are empowering, integrated, and effective across the organisation.
• Train and advise: Deliver training on risk management principles and Tearfund's systems, and support colleagues with compliance and regulatory guidance across international contexts.
• Support the Legal Team: Contribute to reviews of legal documentation, compliance advice, and support for incidents of wrongdoing—enabling Tearfund to operate with integrity and excellence worldwide.

Who we are looking for: You will be a confident legal professional who:

• Is a qualified lawyer with around 3 years of post qualification experience providing legal and compliance advice, ideally in the charity and/or international development sector
• Has strong knowledge of risk management principles and experience applying these within an organisation
• Has excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate across all levels of an organisation
• Has strong analytical skills and the ability to present complex risk information clearly
• Has a commitment to Tearfund's values, vision, and mission

Hybrid working: This role is eligible for hybrid working and you will be required to work from the Teddington Tearfund office and from your home by agreement with the line manager. 
 
Contract Type: This is a permanent, part time role working 28 hours per week. The full time salary is £58,246 per annum. The part time salary is £46,597 per annum. The working pattern will be agreed with the line manager. 
 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (in our UK workforce) as these groups are currently under-represented at Tearfund. 
 
Applicants must be committed to Tearfund's Christian beliefs.
 
The recruitment process will include specific checks related to safeguarding issues. In addition, personal identification information will be submitted against a Watchlist database to check against criminal convictions as a counter-terror measure.