JOB PURPOSE

We are seeking an experienced professional to provide expert legal advice and strategic direction to Amnesty International's International Secretariat (IS). In this critical role, you will manage legal risks across global operations and ensure compliance with legal and governance frameworks, allowing us to maximize our human rights impact.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will oversee two Assistant Legal Counsels and work closely with senior leadership, regional directors, and external legal professionals. 

Please note this is a fixed term contract opportunity of 12 months.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Intellectual Property & Brand Protection: Oversee Amnesty's global trademark portfolio, licensing agreements, and copyright compliance.
• Global Compliance: Support legal compliance across jurisdictions, including regulatory reporting, data protection, and anti-bribery laws.
• Disputes & Litigation: Manage legal disputes and litigation strategies to protect Amnesty's interests and reputation.
• Editorial Legal Review: Provide legal oversight on high-risk publications, including defamation risk management.
• Governance: Support legal compliance for IS entities and advise international boards on legal and corporate governance matters.
• Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate major global and local contracts to ensure legal soundness.
• Crisis Response: Serve as part of Amnesty's crisis response team, providing legal advice during organisational or reputational challenges.
• External Legal Networks: Develop and maintain a global pro bono legal network to support Amnesty's work.
• Legal Risk Management: Implement an integrated legal risk strategy across Amnesty's global operations.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (English law) with extensive post-qualification experience.
• Expertise in commercial law, intellectual property, media law, or corporate legal governance.
• Proven track record of providing strategic legal advice at a senior level within a complex, international organisation.
• Strong contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and risk management experience.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues to non-lawyers.
• High ethical standards, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive legal matters.
• International work experience and non-profit sector experience are desirable.

Please see attached job description for more information on responsibilities, skills and experience required.

ABOUT US

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. We reach almost every country in the world.

Our aim is simple: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, fairness, freedom and truth wherever they're denied. And whether we're applying pressure through powerful research or direct lobbying, mass demonstrations or online campaigning, we're all inspired by hope for a better world. One where human rights are respected and protected by everyone, everywhere.

At Amnesty International, we are passionate about what we do and we are proud of our achievements as a movement. To compensate our employees for the critical work they do, we reward them through a combination of an attractive and sector competitive salary and benefits package, high levels of engagement and involvement, and a commitment to employee development.

Benefits include 37 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays and grace days), pension scheme, employee assistance programme, life assurance and many more benefits designed to suit your own personal lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging environment.

For further information on our benefits, please visit https://www.amnesty.org/en/careers/benefits/

WHAT WE HOPE YOU WILL DO NEXT

If you are talented, passionate about human rights and want to use your skills, knowledge and experience to change the world then we would encourage you to click ‘Apply for this Role' below.

Freedom, Justice, Equality. Let's get to work.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy BEFORE the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities, therefore we recommend you apply now if you are interested.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

Amnesty International believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable. Together, we're committed to being an anti-racist organisation with a diverse workforce that can better tackle the global human rights challenges that face our world today. We know that different voices, ideas, perspectives, experiences and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of people around the world.

We are committed to building and sustaining an anti-racist, culturally diverse and inclusive organisation, where all employees feel valued, have a sense of belonging and an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential. We therefore strongly welcome applications from suitably qualified people regardless of their background; including underrepresented groups, LGBTQI+ individuals and those who may have or are living with a disability.

To see our full statement please visit this link: Racial equality, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion policy - Amnesty International

Amnesty International is committed to being an inclusive employer and providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with the team by emailing recruitment@amnesty.org