Legal Counsel

Company Description

Beginnings Fund

POSITION: Legal Counsel

REPORTS TO:  CEO, Beginnings Fund

STATUS: Full-time

LOCATION: Remote work available for Nairobi, Kenya

WEBSITE: https://www.beginningsfund.org

Background

Every year in Africa, 182,000 mothers die from preventable pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes, 950,000 babies are stillborn, and 1.2 million newborns die. Global progress against maternal and newborn mortality has stalled in recent years, and most African countries are not on track to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and newborn survival.

The Beginnings Fund is a philanthropic initiative that accelerates maternal and newborn survival in Africa by investing, in partnership with governments, in the products, people, and systems needed to sustainably improve care at scale. During its first five years, the Beginnings Fund will focus on Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Investments are developed and managed by a majority-Africa-based Investment Team, led by a Nairobi-based CEO who reports to an Investment Committee composed of the founding and anchor investors in the Beginnings Fund.

While the fund's initial phase is five years, the broader ambition is to raise $1 billion over ten years to expand into additional countries, with the potential to grow into a long-term collaborative fund.

The Beginnings Fund is fiscally sponsored by Global Impact.

Position Overview

Reporting to the CEO, the Legal Counsel will provide comprehensive, senior-level legal guidance and risk management to protect and advance the Beginnings Fund's mission. This role is pivotal in structuring the organization's financial investments and in bridging the gap between high-level strategic funding and robust, legally sound compliance across all grants, investments, and partnerships. As a sharp legal strategist with deep corporate and development acumen, the position holder will oversee the end-to-end legal lifecycle for all transactions. This includes conducting rigorous due diligence, negotiating complex, non-standardized agreements, advising on governance for the Beginnings Fund, and interfacing with the fiscal sponsor, Global Impact. The successful candidate will ensure that the organization’s internal policies and external partnerships are rigorously safeguarded to sustain and scale its long-term impact.

Job Description

• Review grant and investment proposals and budgets, conduct corporate and legal due diligence, and assess legal risks across all transactions and investments.
• Review and approve grant award letters and other legal agreements between the Beginnings Fund and grantees or investees for all grants and investments.
• Provide legal input and guidance on the structuring of Beginnings Fund and affiliated entity investments, including both grant and non-grant investments.
• Advise on governance matters for the Beginnings Fund and any affiliated entities. • Manage relationships with outside counsel.
• Review, draft, and negotiate a range of contracts, including consultant agreements, memorandums of understanding, and vendor contracts.
• Support the development of internal policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• LLB or J.D. degree or equivalent;
• Minimum four years’ experience (two years post-bar experience) at a major law firm and/or in-house corporate experience;
• Demonstrated experience or interest in philanthropy, charity, or international development;
• Outstanding contract drafting, review, and negotiation skills;
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to understand complex and nuanced legal concepts and analysis and explain those to non-lawyers to create practical processes, guidance, and training;
• Impeccable integrity and excellent judgment as reflected in a professional record of successfully and independently providing counsel to clients;
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate information needed by others as projects and situations develop; manage multiple demands, and organize time and resources effectively;
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy;
• Willingness to travel 30-50%;
• Excited to work in a startup environment;
• Collaborative and team-driven mindset.

Additional Information

Application Process

This position will be accepting applications until Oct 8, 2026. Applications and inquiries received after this date will be considered on a case by case basis.

What We Offer 

The Beginnings Fund offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience, along with opportunities for professional advancement within a small, collaborative, and dedicated team. 

Physical Requirements and Work Environment 

The physical demands and work environment described below represent the activities and surroundings of the positions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.      

To perform the job, the employee is frequently required to talk and listen on the telephone, and verbally communicate in person with individuals and groups. The position requires frequent keyboarding. The incumbent may occasionally reach with hands and arms and carry materials weighing up to 20 lbs. The incumbent is required to read and respond to documents in electronic form.    

The work is typically performed in a home office environment. Frequent travel more than 25% of the time may be required. 

The Beginnings Fund is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER committed to providing a non-discriminatory and inclusive environment for its employees.  We are committed to diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability status.