Paralegal EDC Waltham, United States

EDCUATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)
EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. Established in 1958, EDC designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Our services include research, training, educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.

EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace.


The Office of the General Counsel has an opening for a Paralegal, reporting to the Office of the General Counsel, at EDC headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

The Paralegal provides legal and administrative support to the Office of General Counsel with specific emphasis on regulatory compliance programs, administrative matters, and providing assistance to attorneys handling international and compliance matters. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing legal documents, performing legal research, updating databases and assisting in the day-to-day operations of the Office of General Counsel. The incumbent will collaborate with the staff of the Office of General Counsel and maintenance of department records and files and will support the development, delivery and coordination of legal services, and manage the implementation of Office of the General Counsel (OGC) programs and initiatives in domestic and international EDC offices.

The Paralegal, acting on behalf of the OGC:
• Assists with the preparation, execution and filing of required legal documents and the administration of day to day departmental activities.
• Drafts template legal documents related to leases, and regulatory matters under the supervision of attorneys in the Office of General Counsel.
• Performs preliminary research regarding various registration options in applicable international countries and assist with drafting corporate paperwork needed for registration. Obtains approvals / stamps / signatures for registration, as needed.
• Reviews and analyzes legal documents, creates payment requests, and follows up to ensure proper integration and payment.
• Conducts legal and factual research as directed and compiles data from sources such as electronic digests, encyclopedias, practice manuals and/or other laws and regulations.
• Drafts letters and other correspondence having a legal effect related to regulatory compliance and/or international matters for divisions within EDC.
• Maintains and updates files in the legal databases and project tracking databases as required.
• Maintains legal files and system of preservation for all original legal documents including scanning and indexing for electronic records and database.
• Provides assistance to and liaison with outside counsel, in connection with pending litigation and other projects for which outside counsel is retained.
• Provides support for the Office of General Counsel as requested, including performing administrative tasks related to tracking site issues, creating files, scanning documents, and mailing and faxing documents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Coordinates and supports all OGC-related administrative processes and services in an accurate and timely manner.
• Assesses priorities competently and manages a variety of activities simultaneously and professionally.
• Advises the OGC management team on matters affecting effective operations.
• Works with other OGC staff to refine protocols and carry out responsibilities as assigned.
• Helps to ensure that issues directed to the OGC are dealt with in a timely and appropriate fashion and are calibrated with departmental and organizational results.
• Participates in administrative OGC staff meetings and attends other meetings & seminars as required.
• Suggests new approaches, policies, and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of the OGC and services performed.
• Assists with implementation of new or revised policies initiated by the OGC.
• Is knowledgeable about all OGC processes and requirements; remains current in evolving compliance and legal requirements.
• Assists with research into country-specific labor laws in international locations, and field office start-up, maintenance and shut-down, and identifying international counsel for in-country legal services.
Assists with the development of international employment contracts to ensure compliance with local labor laws, EDC policies, and approved applicable US government policies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned; responsibilities will change from time to time in accordance with business needs.

The Paralegal
• Works to create an effective environment to achieve business objective of outstanding client service and excellence
• Takes leadership role in carrying out the work of the OGC
• Interacts effectively with diverse staff with competing priorities
• Confers with OGC staff to evaluate office support requirements
• Facilitates teamwork; engages collaboratively in feedback
• Coordinates issue clarification; troubleshoots problems, ensuring coordination between parties, and negotiates solutions
• May travel

QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires educational achievement; excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required as well as 4–6 years related legal experience in a law firm environment
• Paralegal certificate preferred
• 2–3 years of international legal experience preferred
• Demonstrable organization & analytical skills, aptitude for details, and ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative required
• Incumbent must be flexible with the ability to work under pressure and adjust to shifts in OGC priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word
• Thorough knowledge of domestic and international regulatory requirements, and their application in the day-to-day working environment essential
• Knowledge of USAID policies and regulations preferred
• Ability to demonstrate diplomacy, and handle highly confidential information appropriately and with discretion is essential
• Excellent organization and oral / written communication skills, including demonstrated writing ability required
• Ability to analyze and interpret information essential
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and to meet deadlines required
• Experience with intellectual property, copyright law, and/or rights & permissions, a plus.
• Fluency in second language may be desirable

CONTACT: No phone calls, please

Posted: 8/8/12

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V) and has Affirmative Action Plans for Women and Minorities and for Disabled Workers and Veterans. EDC is a smoke-free workplace.

TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION, PLEASE VISIT: http://www.edc.org/about/job_opportunities