Legal Counsel / Legal & Compliance Advisor

About Us

Samawada is a Canadian registered charitable organization dedicated to providing access to clean water in underserved communities in East Africa, with a particular focus on Somalia. We use technology, data, and innovation to strengthen donor engagement, project oversight, transparency, and long-term humanitarian impact.

Samawada is building a modern, accountable, and technology-driven humanitarian organization, with a strong emphasis on governance, compliance, and ethical operations.

Registered Charity Number: 723571485 RR 0002
Website: https://samawada.org/

Role Overview

We are seeking a Legal Counsel / Legal & Compliance Advisor to support Samawada’s legal, regulatory, and governance needs. This role is critical to ensuring that Samawada operates in full compliance with Canadian charitable law, manages legal risk responsibly, and maintains strong partnerships and accountability frameworks.

This position works closely with leadership, the Board, and external partners to support ethical, compliant, and transparent operations.

Key Responsibilities

Provide legal guidance on Canadian charitable law, governance, and regulatory compliance

Support compliance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements for registered charities

Review, draft, and advise on:

Partnership and implementation agreements

NDAs and IP assignment agreements

Donor agreements and grant terms

Vendor and consultant contracts

Advise on direction and control requirements when working with international partners

Support risk management, conflict-of-interest policies, and governance best practices

Assist with preparation for CRA audits or reviews, including documentation readiness

Provide guidance on data protection, privacy, and confidentiality obligations under Canadian law

Review organizational policies and procedures for legal compliance

Support the Board with governance documentation and compliance reporting

Identify legal risks and propose mitigation strategies

What We Are Looking For

Background in law, legal studies, or compliance (licensed lawyer, law student, or legal professional)

Strong understanding of Canadian charity law and non-profit governance

Experience reviewing or drafting legal agreements and policies

Ability to explain legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders

Strong attention to detail and analytical skills

Ability to work independently in a remote environment

Interest in humanitarian, international development, or social impact work

Experience working with charities, NGOs, or international organizations is an asset but not required.

Nice to Have

Experience with CRA compliance or charity audits

Familiarity with international partnerships or cross-border operations

Knowledge of privacy laws (PIPEDA) and data protection principles

Experience supporting Boards or governance committees

Understanding of contracts related to technology, data, or IP

Why Join Us?

Contribute your legal expertise to a mission-driven humanitarian organization

Help strengthen governance, transparency, and accountability

Gain hands-on experience in charity law and international operations

Flexible, fully remote work environment

Opportunity to shape policies and frameworks at an early stage

Meaningful work with real-world social impact

Our Hiring Process

Application review

Introductory discussion (fit, availability, interests)

Review of relevant experience or writing samples (if applicable)

Final discussion and onboarding