2-year Fixed‑Term Contract | Start ASAP

4-5 days per week (flexible)

✈️ Quarterly travel to East Africa (Kenya & Tanzania)

We’re supporting Gatsby Africa in the appointment of an experienced Lawyer on a two-year fixed‑term contract, to support a critical period of work across contracting, grants, and risk. This is a senior, hands‑on in‑house role within a purpose‑driven organisation, offering exposure to complex commercial and grant arrangements, social investment activity, and international stakeholder engagement.

The role

Reporting to the Operations & Finance Director, you’ll take ownership of Gatsby Africa’s contracting framework and act as a trusted legal adviser across the organisation. You’ll sit within the Finance & Operations management team, playing a key role in legal risk mitigation, charity law compliance, and cross‑functional coordination.

You’ll also manage a Contracts Manager and work closely with external legal advisers in the UK and East Africa, with travel to Kenya and Tanzania approximately once per quarter.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all standard and non‑standard contracts, including consultancy and supplier agreements, grants, MoUs with government entities, and social investment instruments
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve contract templates, tools, and processes
• Advise internal stakeholders on contractual obligations, legal risk, and best practice
• Support grants management as both donor and recipient, including engagement with international donors
• Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual, legal, and operational risks across projects and teams
• Lead on data protection and privacy matters, maintaining and evolving the organisation’s framework
• Manage and develop the contracting function, providing coaching and mentoring
• Maintain robust monitoring, reporting, and escalation processes
• Horizon‑scan for legal and regulatory developments relevant to an English‑registered charity

About you

• Qualified solicitor or barrister (England & Wales)
• Substantial experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts
• Confident operating as a senior legal business partner
• Experience developing or improving contract management systems and processes
• Strong stakeholder management skills and comfort managing external advisers
• Working knowledge of data protection principles

Desirable experience

• Charity, not‑for‑profit, or social impact organisations
• Grants experience (as donor and/or recipient)
• Exposure to social investment or complex collaboration agreements
• Experience working with organisations operating in Africa

Why apply?

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior in‑house lawyer role on a fixed‑term basis, offering genuine autonomy, international exposure, flexible working (4-5 days per week), and meaningful social impact.

Marsden is exclusively instructed on this role by Gatsby Africa, and all candidate applications should be directed to Hayley.posner@marsdengroup.com