Legal Assistant

About Us

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government.  Help support democracy worldwide by joining our team! 

About the Role

The Legal team is looking for a Legal Assistant who will provide a range of administrative and logistical support to the Legal team, including processing and filing paperwork, updating NDI legal and registration documents, and maintaining a database of legal information on NDI offices. This position also involves coordinating with regional teams to update information regarding NDI offices and to prepare documents required for NDI operations overseas.

 Your Purpose and Impact:

•  Maintaining a database containing country office registration details and other legal information, including leading outreach to regional teams on a biannual basis to gather information and preparing reports for senior management.
• Coordinating with regional teams to update post-classification and allowance determinations on a biannual basis. 
• Assisting in processing legal paperwork, including processing invoices, filing and updating documentation, and helping coordinate transactions with other departments. 
• Assisting regional teams in drafting board resolutions, powers of attorney, and other documents related to registering NDI offices overseas, including facilitating any required notarization, certification, or apostilles for the documents.
• Updating, as necessary, documents and content on NDI’s internal portal page for the Legal Team. 
• Updating registration and governance-related documents, such as certificates of good standing and board resolutions.
• Conducting research and analysis on legal requirements in countries of NDI operations, generally related to employment law and registration of nonprofit organizations.
• Conducting other research and tasks, including administrative tasks, as requested by Legal Counsel.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a one-for one basis.
• Prior experience working in an office administration setting; prior experience working in a legal setting preferred but not required. 
• Ability to work with and handle sensitive materials discreetly.
• Interest in non-governmental organizations operating abroad, particularly in relation to legal issues for operations. 
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple tasks with limited supervision.
• Ability to effectively prioritize.
• Excellent English writing skills.
• Ability to analyze, synthesize and effectively communicate information.
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications, especially the Google platform.
• Familiarity with NDI policies, procedures, and programs, a plus.
• Academic experience in legal studies is preferred but not required.   
• Experience and knowledge on OFAC and BIS requirements is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in either French, Arabic, Spanish or Russian is preferred but not required.

What We Offer:

We offer an environment committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a core part of our culture. We strive to foster empowerment and belonging as these values are central to our mission and to our impact. We believe that diversity in thought helps us solve the complex problems we face around the globe.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision, a generous PTO policy, flexible schedules, and a 10% employer contribution to the retirement pension.

This position offers an anticipated hourly range of approximately $25.39 - $30.49.

Additional Information:

While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environment and to comply with tax and legal obligations, successful candidates must be residents of MD, DC, or VA, or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran statu