Legal Counsel

About Human for Human Organization (HFH)

Human for Human Organization (HFH) is a local Iraqi non-governmental organization committed to supporting communities and promoting sustainable development across Iraq. Through its programs and activities, HFH works to strengthen community capacities, improve access to opportunities, and address the needs of local communities. The organization is committed to inclusive development, accountability, transparency, and sustainable impact.

Position: Legal Counsel

Position Overview

Human for Human Organization (HFH) is seeking a qualified Legal Counsel to provide professional legal advisory and documentation services under a fixed-term Service Contract. The assignment will cover a range of legal matters, including the review and drafting of contracts and agreements, legal research, regulatory compliance, employment-related legal matters, internal policies, and other legal documentation as required.

The Legal Counsel will review relevant legal documents, identify potential legal risks, provide practical recommendations, and support the organization in making informed decisions in accordance with applicable Iraqi laws and regulations. The role requires sound legal judgment, strong analytical and drafting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to handle confidential information professionally.

Contract Type: Service Contract

Contract Duration: Four months.

Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Law.

Duty Station: Baghdad, Iraq, with coordination or meetings at other locations as required and agreed.

Reporting and Coordination: The Legal Counsel will coordinate with the designated HFH representative and relevant departments, submitting legal opinions, reviewed documents, and other agreed deliverables for review by the authorized personnel.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Research and Advisory Services

• Provide legal research and advisory support on matters relevant to the organization’s activities and operational requirements.
• Research applicable Iraqi laws, regulations, and legal procedures relevant to specific requests.
• Prepare clear written legal opinions, advice, and recommendations based on the information and documents provided.
• Identify potential legal risks and propose practical options for managing or reducing them.
• Explain relevant legal requirements to designated staff in clear and accessible language.

2. Contract and Agreement Review

• Review draft contracts, service agreements, memoranda of understanding, partnership agreements, and other legal documents referred for review.
• Identify unclear provisions, inconsistencies, potential liabilities, and clauses requiring clarification or amendment.
• Recommend revisions to contractual terms and explain the legal implications of proposed changes.
• Support the preparation or revision of standard contract templates and other legal forms when requested.
• Review documents for legal completeness and consistency before submission to authorized decision-makers.
• Provide legal recommendations without independently committing the organization to contractual or financial obligations.

3. Legal Compliance and Risk Management

• Review relevant legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the organization’s operations and activities.
• Identify potential compliance gaps and provide recommendations for corrective action.
• Advise on legal risks associated with organizational activities, partnerships, service arrangements, and other operational matters.
• Support the review of internal policies and procedures from a legal perspective.
• Prepare legal compliance notes or checklists for specific matters where requested.

4. Employment and Human Resources Legal Support

• Provide legal advice on employment-related documents, workplace policies, and personnel matters referred by the authorized Human Resources function.
• Review draft employment-related agreements, consultancy arrangements, and service contracts for legal clarity and consistency with applicable requirements.
• Advise on legal considerations relating to workplace conduct, confidentiality, personnel documentation, and employment-related disputes.
• Provide recommendations on employment-related legal questions without assuming responsibility for recruitment decisions, payroll administration, or Human Resources approvals.

5. Policies, Governance, and Institutional Documentation

• Review organizational policies, procedures, official letters, declarations, and other documents requiring legal input.
• Support the preparation or revision of internal legal templates and documentation standards.
• Provide legal comments on governance documents, partnership arrangements, and institutional commitments when requested.
• Identify provisions that may require clarification, approval, or further legal assessment before implementation.

6. Dispute Prevention and Legal Follow-up

• Review documentation relating to legal complaints, contractual disagreements, claims, or other disputes referred for advisory support.
• Assess relevant documents and outline legal considerations, potential risks, and possible courses of action.
• Recommend appropriate steps for preventing escalation and resolving disputes through suitable procedures.
• Coordinate with authorized HFH representatives and external legal professionals where specialized advice or formal representation is required.
• Undertake court representation or other regulated legal activities only where legally authorized and specifically agreed under the service arrangement.

7. Legal Documentation and Confidentiality

• Maintain organized records of legal requests, reviewed documents, written opinions, recommendations, and completed assignments.
• Ensure that legal comments and revisions are clearly documented and returned to the designated representative.
• Protect confidential information and handle sensitive legal, contractual, and personnel documents appropriately.
• Ensure that legal documentation is shared only with authorized individuals and retained in accordance with applicable procedures.

8. Coordination and Reporting

• Coordinate with relevant departments to clarify the context, requirements, and objectives of each legal request.
• Request additional information or documentation when necessary to complete a legal review.
• Prioritize assignments in coordination with the designated HFH representative, taking account of urgency, complexity, and agreed deadlines.
• Provide regular updates on pending requests, completed reviews, identified risks, and matters requiring management decisions.
• Submit all agreed deliverables within the timelines established for the assignment.

Professional Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in legal research, legal advisory services, drafting, and reviewing legal documents.

• Demonstrated experience in legal research, legal advisory services, drafting, or reviewing legal documents.
• Experience reviewing contracts, agreements, official correspondence, and institutional policies is an advantage.
• Familiarity with Iraqi laws and regulatory requirements relevant to organizational and business operations.
• Experience working with NGOs, companies, institutions, or other organizations is desirable.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law.

Technical Competencies

• Strong legal research, interpretation, drafting, and document review skills.
• Ability to identify legal risks, assess contractual provisions, and develop practical recommendations.
• Good understanding of contract law, employment-related legal matters, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to prepare clear, structured, and well-supported written legal opinions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, email, and electronic document management tools.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in Arabic, both written and spoken.
• Good working proficiency in English is an advantage, particularly for reviewing bilingual documents and preparing legal correspondence.

Personal Competencies

• High standards of integrity, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.
• Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize urgent requests, and meet deadlines.
• Professional independence of judgment and ability to communicate legal risks clearly.
• Ability to work collaboratively with different departments while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

Professional Licensing and Authorization

Where any professional license, registration, authorization, or permit is required by applicable law or by HFH for the provision of the contracted legal services, the selected service provider will be responsible for obtaining and submitting the required valid documentation at the time of engagement. The service provider must maintain the validity of any required license or authorization throughout the contract period.

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications by email to jobs@h4hi.org.

Applicants must submit an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) in PDF format and a Cover Letter.

Please ensure that the email subject line contains Legal Counsel.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Human for Human Organization (HFH) reviews applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to close the vacancy before the announced deadline.

Application Deadline: 22 October 2026.