With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.
Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!
Key Responsibilities :
This role directly reports to the National Director and is responsible for providing legal counsel while ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines that impact WVDF’s operations and activities, all in alignment with the core values of WVDF and principles of Christian living. This includes advising on best practices for legal compliance, assisting in contract negotiations, and developing legal strategies for litigation and other legal matters. The role also addresses regulatory issues and provides guidance and resolutions as needed.
Additionally, the Legal Counsel will represent the organization in court or before quasi-judicial bodies, such as but not limited to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), participate in hearings or meetings with regulatory bodies when necessary, notarize official documents, and serve as an advocacy advisor. The Legal Counsel shall likewise be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and perform other legal and compliance-related tasks that may be assigned by the National Director in support of WVDF’s mission and operations.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Compliance (20%)
- Provide legal guidance to the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Manager to ensure alignment with laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting WVDF’s operations, including those issued by the SEC, BIR, DSWD, the Data Privacy Act, labor laws, and local government units.
- Advise the Senior Leadership Team on best practices for compliance from a legal perspective.
- In close coordination with the GRC Manager, develop and oversee the implementation of an effective legal compliance program, including awareness-raising among staff on applicable laws, regulatory updates, and relevant industry practices.
End Result : WVDF maintains full legal compliance, avoiding penalties, and ensuring smooth operations in line with regulatory standards.
Risk Management (10%)
Lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of legal risks that may impact WVDF’s operations, reputation, and strategic initiatives. These include, but are not limited to, contractual disputes, intellectual property concerns, employment law issues, data privacy breaches, tax liabilities, financial misconduct, litigation exposure, health and safety compliance, and unlawful fundraising activities.End Result : WVDF operates with minimized legal risk and full compliance across all initiatives, enabling smooth execution of programs and informed strategic decisions that align with legal standards and organizational values.
Governance & Board Support (5%)
Provide additional legal guidance to the Board of Directors on governance-related matters, including interpretation of applicable laws, by-laws, and regulatory requirements for non-profit organizations.Support the Board in making informed decisions by offering legal insights on Board resolutions, policies, and organizational actions, thereby reinforcing compliance with corporate and non-profit governance standards.Ensure that governance practices adhere to relevant legal frameworks in coordination with the Board’s legal oversight function.End Result : Effective governance is maintained, with board decisions aligned with legal and regulatory expectations.
Contract & Policy Review (10%)
Draft, review, and finalize contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documents to ensure they are legally sound, enforceable, and aligned with WVDF’s legal obligations and organizational best practices. Provide legal guidance throughout the process to protect the organization’s rights and minimize risk.Develop and format standardized templates for key documents, including but not limited to Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), and Supplier Agreements, to streamline the drafting process and promote efficiency.Ensure these templates maintain consistency and comply with internal policies and applicable legal requirements, thereby minimizing risks related to contractual obligations and organizational commitments.End Result : Contracts and policies are legally sound, minimizing risk in business dealings and enhancing organizational protection.
Legal Advisory & Representation (20%)
Provide legal advice and opinions on matters affecting the organization, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and alignment with organizational goals.Represent the organization before courts and quasi-judicial bodies such as the SEC, DOLE, NLRC, and other relevant regulatory agencies.Render notarial services for official documents and agreements, as necessary.Review partnership policies to ensure legal compliance and alignment with WVDF’s standards when entering into partnerships or collaborations.Examine Philippine and international laws relevant to programming, ensuring that WVDF’s activities and projects adhere to national and global legal standards and best practices.Conduct legal research on laws, regulations, and jurisprudence to support sound legal advice and informed decision-making within the organization.Serve as a legal advisor to the Proposal Development Team and the Advocacy Team, ensuring that all project designs, partnerships, campaigns, and external engagements are compliant with relevant legal frameworks.As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contribute to strategic decision-making and organizational risk oversight from a legal perspective.End Result : WVDF is effectively represented in legal matters, protecting its interests and maintaining a good legal standing in various forums.
Audit & Internal Monitoring (15%)
Provide legal support in audit processes by reviewing audit-related legal risks and offering guidance on strengthening internal legal controls.In close coordination with the Governance, Risk, and Compliance Manager and relevant department heads, support the legal aspects of financial and operational audits, including the interpretation of laws, contracts, and policies that may affect audit outcomes.Ensure that audit findings with legal implications are properly addressed to reduce exposure and maintain compliance.End Result : Strong internal controls are maintained, ensuring compliance with audit requirements and improving operational integrity.
Liaison & External Communication (10%)
Provide legal representation and guidance in interactions with government regulatory bodies on matters involving legal compliance, investigations, or potential legal disputes.Ensure that WVDF’s legal interests are protected in all engagements with agencies such as the SEC, BIR, DSWD, DOLE, and the National Privacy Commission, and provide support in responding to legal notices or inquiries.End Result : WVDF’s legal interests are safeguarded through accurate, timely, and well-managed engagements with regulatory agencies, minimizing legal risks and ensuring compliance with statutory obligations.
Training & Awareness (5%)
In close coordination with P&C and the Staff & Leadership Development Team, conduct training and awareness sessions on legal and regulatory compliance, including labor laws, data privacy, anti-corruption, contracts, and other legal topics relevant to the organization. Ensure staff are equipped to understand and apply legal principles in their roles and uphold ethical standards in all operations.End Result : WVDF staff are legally informed and empowered to make decisions and perform their duties in compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards, reducing legal risks and strengthening a culture of integrity.
Support and Development of Administrative Assistant (5%)
In collaboration with the GRC Manager, provide leadership, support, and guidance to the Legal Department’s Administrative Assistant to ensure effectiveness in administrative functions and alignment with organizational values.Career Development : Offer career guidance, identify growth opportunities, and recommend relevant training aligned with both professional and personal development.Performance Reviews : Conduct regular performance evaluations, set clear expectations, and provide constructive feedback for growth.Skill Development : Identify training needs and facilitate ongoing professional development to build capacity and confidence.Problem Solving : Address performance or interpersonal concerns in a respectful, timely manner to maintain a collaborative and supportive work environment.Ensure the role contributes to meeting legal, regulatory, and organizational compliance standards.Spiritual Nurture Support : Encourage the Administrative Assistant’s participation in spiritual formation activities, helping foster a work culture rooted in shared values and faith-based purpose.End Result : The Administrative Assistant perform effectively, meet organizational goals, and contribute to maintaining legal and regulatory compliance, while continuously developing their skills and careers.
QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.Licensed to practice law in the Philippines with a valid Notarial Commission.An undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related fields is preferred to ensure familiarity with accounting terminology and financial principles. A candidate with a different undergraduate degree may be considered if they possess relevant experience in financial, legal, or compliance-related work.At least 5 years of experience in legal counsel, governance, risk management, or a related field, preferably within an NGO, corporate, or government setting.Experience in providing legal advice, drafting and reviewing contracts and policies, and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, legal risk management, and corporate governance practices.Proven ability to represent organizations in legal proceedings, including court and quasi-judicial bodies, and to provide notarial services.Strong understanding of Philippine laws and regulations, including those affecting NGOs.Excellent legal research skills and the ability to analyze and interpret complex legal issues.Proven ability to provide clear and concise legal advice and opinions, balancing legal risks with organizational objectives.Ability to draft and review contracts, policies, and agreements with attention to detail and compliance with legal standards.Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, and external partners.Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to represent the organization effectively in legal matters.Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive legal matters with discretion and professionalism.Proficiency in English and Filipino (Tagalog), both written and spoken, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in legal and professional contexts.The position follows a hybrid work setup, combining remote work and on-site engagements. Occasional travel to relevant venues, partner organizations, or regulatory bodies may be required as needed.