Senior Paralegal

About Accion

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 267 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching 440 million people. More at http://www.accion.org.

About our Legal Department

Accion's legal team has three full-time staff members who manage all of Accion's legal needs. Working closely with each department, the legal team plays a critical role in ensuring that Accion's mission advances, its goals are met, and projects are successful by combining experienced counsel with strong business sensibilities.

Position Summary

The Senior Paralegal will assist the General Counsel and Legal Team with the operations of the Legal Department, which also includes the Compliance and Risk functions within Accion and its affiliated entities.

This position is located in Washington, D.C., with a hybrid work model.

Position Responsibilities

Assist with contract management, Registered Investment Adviser compliance, investment fund maintenance, risk assessments, board materials, project management and general business and administrative duties in connection with matters arising from Accion's program, operations and investment teams.
• Identify and drive efficiencies by assisting with the development of policies, procedures and systems within the Legal department.
• Support the implementation, use, and further development of legal project management and knowledge management tools and resources and will help to integrate legal project management techniques into the culture of Accion.
• Work independently and managing complex projects simultaneously.

The ideal candidate will:

• Lead project management of Legal department initiatives as well as enhancement of existing processes through application of formal project management, such as contract management, records management, and legal vendor management.
• Effectively control all aspects of a project from initial planning through final production; develop project plans; balance overall stakeholder requirements; develop relationships; and review and report financial information in a timely manner to ensure deadlines are consistently met.
• Prepare, review and/or revise scope, resourcing, and budget proposals and statements of work for relevant legal matters, workstreams and vendors (outside counsel and legal, compliance and risk vendors) and track performance.
• Prepare and generate initial drafts of routine contracts, Secretary's certificates, tax and corporate filings, charitable solicitation registrations, and related artifacts.
• Manage the process to collect information (e.g., due diligence requests) and prepare documentation.
• Manage third party compliance screening platform and search function.
• Support updates to legal and compliance related policies, procedures and training.
• Review communications content (including use of name/logo) for accuracy and alignment with Accion's branding policies and review trademark watch notices.
• Oversee the process for ensuring the execution of contracts and electronically filing and maintaining all final, executed documents.
• Help develop a legal technology roadmap for project management, contracts management, e-signature, compliance management, and other internal resources.
• Liaise with the IT Department on identifying, implementing, integrating, and optimizing applications and tools, and building internal tools, workflows and automation capabilities.
• Maintain a straightforward and efficient system of both hard and soft files for the Legal Department.
• Function as a key records liaison, contributor, and point-person for the Legal Department; establish and maintain appropriate Accion operational records in appropriate print and digital formats, paying particular attention to key and confidential documents and record retention policies; promote information management best practices within the Legal Department.
• Facilitate a culture of continuous improvement through strong team interactions, forging relationships with other departments and stakeholders, being comfortable accepting and providing constructive feedback, and a personal commitment to quality, innovation, and follow through.
• Help manage the Legal department's annual goals, objectives, key results, and other metrics and reporting.
• Provide administrative support to the General Counsel, including but not limited to meeting planning, office space management, travel coordination, legal training development, and legal budget management.

Position Qualifications

• Degree from an accredited 4-Year College or University.
• 5 (or more) years of Legal or Compliance experience working at a major law firm, in-house at a financial services company, a non-profit organization, or a government entity.
• Washington, DC or New York Notary Public.
• Paralegal Certification.
• Ability to lead execution of defined strategies, meet deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and a minimum of direct supervision.
• Self-directed, organized, and capable of handling multiple, complex projects, while advising Legal Department attorneys of status, identifying risks and escalating appropriately.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail and strong proofreading ability.
• Experience demonstrating ability to work independently, to take initiative and to ask questions when necessary; ability to conceptualize and manage complex projects while engaging internal and external resources to achieve desired results.
• Ability to work on projects requiring a high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• A solid understanding of database design and management, data processing activities and legal documents review requirements.
• Excellent computer skills and experience with document management systems, project extranets, databases, collaboration portals, G Suite, SharePoint, Smartsheet, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate with a cross-functional team of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent at multi-tasking with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including additional hours as needed.
• Interested in our mission and working globally.
• Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect and passion for social change.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $82K to $110K
  
• The above salary range serves as a general guideline. Accion considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, training, skills, location, current market conditions as well as internal pay alignment.
• Accion provides a total compensation package, including base salary, discretionary merit-based bonus, and a variety of benefits including health insurance (90% employer funded), life and disability insurance, retirement plans (up to 7.5% employer match), paid holidays and paid time-off for vacation plus personal days as well as sick days.

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.