Over the last two years, Tara has significantly increased its funding base and has more than a dozen philanthropic funders supporting our work and providing grants to hundreds of partners. In the next 3 years, we will double our funding and grantmaking to combat climate change in this decisive decade.
The Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance is responsible for providing comprehensive legal counsel, guidance and support to the Tara senior management team. This role is instrumental in ensuring the legal compliance of Tara’s operations with applicable frameworks to preserve Tara’s interests.
The Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance is responsible for
1. Oversee the organisation's legal, risk, and compliance strategy and set up how these risks/issues will be raised, handled, and monitored with policies and procedures.
2. Manage all legal, contractual and regulatory compliance matters, including (but not limited to) whistleblowing, grievance issues, new entity set-ups, regulatory reporting, AML/KYC compliance etc.
3. Developing, implementing and maintaining policies and procedures for legal, risk & compliance management areas to deliver on strategy;
4. Ensuring Tara is conducting its business in full compliance with all national and international laws and regulations that pertain to our work within Asia
5. Monitoring, managing and advising on all legal affairs within Tara
6. Strengthening risk management processes and culture by working with the CEO, senior management team and Technical Heads to ensure risk is suitability identified, mitigated and managed
Skills & Experience:
• Demonstratable professional competence and expertise in international law and legal affairs; experience with financial institutions’ AML/KYC compliance would be a plus;
• Demonstrated experience advising senior management of international organisations on complex legal, risk and compliance matters;
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and ability to navigate complex international legal landscapes;
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate complex legal, risk and compliance concepts into practical processes;
• Legal expertise in areas including compliance, contract management, employment law, corporate governance, risk mitigation, intellectual property, and project management;
• Outstanding interpersonal, diplomatic, and cross-cultural communication skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and preferably another Asian language;
• Strong ability to multitask, prioritise, and meet tight deadlines with meticulous attention to detail;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure;
• Technical proficiency in software such as Outlook, Microsoft Office suite
• Used to working flexibly at a fast pace in remote settings with multicultural teams across multiple time zones
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as and when required
• Embraces Tara’s mission and identifies with and is committed to living the Tara Values
Education
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal and 5 years of risk and compliance experience;
• Preferably a Law degree from an accredited institution with active bar membership, with a preference for membership in a bar association.
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) OR Bachelor's with an additional 2 years of experience in Law/International Law, Management, Business Administration or a related subject is required.
• Qualifications in legal studies, risk management or accounting are desirable.
Stakeholders Management:
Key external stakeholders
• Legal counterparts in Tara donor agencies and communities
• Government departments of Tara host countries
• Legal counterparts in partner organisations and institutions
Key internal stakeholders
• CEO
• Senior Management team
• Operations Leadership team
• Board of Trustees
• Tara Teams
What Tara Foundation can offer:
• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international team that combines their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for career development and challenge yourself
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• A collaborative, fun and thriving team driven by our mission and living our values
