The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

As the Legal Counsel based in either Ghana, Senegal, or Tanzania you will support and advise Abt on its business and project operations in Africa across a wide range of local legal issues (eg, employment and safety law, disputes, corporate law and entity management, privacy and data protection law, immigration law, tax law and compliance with client contract and local law requirements). You will develop relationships with key Abt leaders. You will work independently with minimal supervision in practice areas in which you already have an expertise and with closer supervision on areas that we ask you to learn. You will have the opportunity to facilitate ground breaking work in public health, climate and energy, global development and other areas in which Abt works. You will report to the Associate General Counsel and work closely with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and other Associate General Counsel.

Core Responsibilities

Operations, Employment, Disputes (80%)

Working closely with the Associate General Counsel responsible for the Operations, Employment and Disputes practice areas, provide practical, accurate and timely legal advice, training and other support to the key stakeholders relevant to Abt’s business and project operations in Africa across a wide range of operations, employment law and disputes-related local legal issues, including the management of internal projects, legal disputes and regulatory investigations as needed.

Privacy (10%)

Working closely with the Associate General Counsel responsible for the Privacy practice area, provide practical, accurate and timely legal advice, training and other support to the key stakeholders relevant to Abt’s business and project operations in Africa across a wide range of privacy, intellectual property and data protection-related local legal issues, including the management of internal projects, legal disputes and regulatory investigations as needed.

General (10%)

Support the Associate General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel responsible for Abt’s Global Development Group business partner relationships in the development, implementation and continual improvement of a pragmatic framework for Abt’s legal affairs in Africa, including legal risk management, legal operations and the management of external counsel relationships and fees.

Maintain and share current awareness of new and material changes to local laws relevant to Abt’s business and project operations in Africa.

Other Reasonable Duties As Required.

What We Value

• Degree in law and current ability to practice law in one or more of the job locations or another jurisdiction relevant to Abt’s business (eg, US, UK, Australia)
• Minimum 8 years’ prior relevant work experience
• High level written and verbal communication skills
• Good cultural awareness and ability to build strong stakeholder relationships
• High level problem solving, organization and attention to detail skills
• Ability to work both autonomously and in a team environment
• Ability to work concurrently on multiple complex tasks and to respond to changing priorities
• Ability to travel internationally within Africa and to the United States
• Experience in relevant areas of law in an in-house context
• Experience in the international development sector
• English language skills required and French language skills preferred

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits, flexible schedules, and professional development.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply and work authorization is required.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

About Us

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top global research firms and one of the international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries.

At Abt Associates, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.