Legal and Risk Officer – 12 month fixed-term contract

About the role

Join BirdLife International’s Legal & Risk team to provide practical, solutions‑focused advice on contracts, compliance and risk across a global partnership. You will help protect nature and strengthen conservation worldwide while working in a hybrid setting based in Cambridge.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and improve contracts and legal documents, advising colleagues on risks and escalating issues when needed.
• Support partnerships and procurement by preparing and reviewing sub‑grant, consultancy and other agreements.
• Manage organisational risk through insurance renewals, claims administration and robust compliance processes.
• Conduct due‑diligence checks, including sanctions, anti‑money laundering and counter‑terrorist financing requirements.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures and controls to manage legal and regulatory risk.
• Support GDPR compliance activities and promote good data‑protection practice.
• Advise local teams on legal and compliance requirements for BirdLife offices and registered entities worldwide.
• Work with external counsel, translating legal advice into clear, practical recommendations.
• Research and communicate legal developments, keeping template contracts and guidance up to date.

Required profile

• Qualified solicitor, experienced paralegal or Legal Executive with experience in an in‑house or private‑practice legal department.
• Strong knowledge of English law, especially contract law, data protection, compliance and corporate governance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain complex legal matters to non‑legal colleagues.
• Meticulous organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• Creative, pragmatic problem‑solver with strong planning and project‑management abilities.
• Fluency in English; additional languages such as French, Spanish or Portuguese are a plus.

Required skills

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel

What we offer

• Hybrid working model (minimum one day per week onsite in Cambridge).
• Work in the award‑winning David Attenborough Building on a conservation campus.
• Competitive pension scheme with up to 12% company contribution.
• 25 days of annual leave (pro‑rata), increasing with service up to 28 days.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning (13,000+ courses).
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme and Employee Assistance Programme.