(Senior) Legal Officer, TrustLaw – Thomson Reuters Foundation

The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. As an independent charity, registered in the UK and the USA, we work to advance media freedom, foster more inclusive economies, and promote human rights. Through news, media development, free legal assistance and convening initiatives, we combine our unique media and legal services to drive systemic change.

We use the combined power of journalism and the law to build global awareness of critical issues faced by humanity, inspire collective leadership and help shape a prosperous world where no one is left behind.

TrustLaw

TrustLaw is the global pro bono service of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. As the world’s leading pro bono legal service, TrustLaw helps high-impact NGOs and social enterprises, including media organisations, to grow, streamline their operations and navigate complex laws and regulations by connecting them with free legal assistance from the best law firms and corporate legal teams around the world. We also deliver groundbreaking legal research on key social and policy issues that our members use to support their advocacy and law reform efforts, and we deliver innovative capacity-building workshops on legal issues across the globe.

The Foundation has a dedicated offering that facilitates access to legal support, tools and training for journalists and independent newsrooms in need, to help protect and defend them from the growing legal threats used to silence or punish their reporting on matters of public interest. As part of this, we have expanded the TrustLaw service in Central and Eastern Europe to implement a flagship media freedom project focused on supporting journalists and media in exile.

The Foundation is recruiting a dynamic Legal Officer or Senior Legal Officer to expand the TrustLaw service in Central and Eastern Europe and support its flagship media freedom project focused on supporting journalists in exile. You will report to the Senior Legal Programme Manager, EMENA and work closely with the TrustLaw, Programmes and Media Freedoms teams. The position will be based in London.

About the Role

As a Legal Officer, you will:

• Support the development of legal content for trainings and workshops that address the critical legal needs facing media outlets and journalists in exile. These are likely to include registration, employment, broadcasting and intellectual property law issues in new jurisdictions, to which they have relocated.
• Design, scope and oversee the development of tools, resources, and other content on key legal issues of relevance to journalists and independent media outlets in exile, such as setting up in new jurisdictions.
• Support the implementation of strategies to recruit, engage, partner and manage relationships with media outlets/NGOs and legal teams, in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Scope legal requests from media organisations and journalists, so that the requests clearly explain the legal needs for lawyers to advise on.
• Manage legal requests from media freedom organisations, journalists or outlets from inception to completion, including connecting our clients with lawyers in the TrustLaw network or other legal service providers, as appropriate, and follow up with the parties involved.
• Oversee, review and support the work of consultants and legal experts working on legal research, beneficiary needs assessments, issue mapping and content development.
• Support the development and implementation of a communications, engagement and outreach plan to media freedom and legal partners in the region, as needed, in collaboration with the Foundation’s Communications, Social and Media Freedom teams.
• Assist and support the project manager and TrustLaw team on the administrative, reporting, planning, monitoring, and logistical responsibilities linked to the role in a timely manner.
• Support the TrustLaw team on media freedom thought leadership projects and, as appropriate, represent TrustLaw by speaking publicly on our work at panels, conferences, or other speaking engagements.
• Travel, when safe to do so.

About You

To be our Legal Officer, you will likely have:

• Legal experience to degree level or equivalent, preferably in human rights and/or media law, with experience working either in a law firm, media house, or non-profit organisation
• Understanding of international standards on press freedom and/or the media law/policy landscape in Europe, specifically Central and Eastern Europe
• Experience of project management or coordination, especially on donor-funded projects is highly desirable
• Excellent time management and organisational skills including the ability to effectively and independently manage multiple matters and projects in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills, with experience in training strongly preferred
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills –able to establish and maintain positive working relationships both internally and externally, with people from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds
• Experience in Salesforce would be favourable. Experience working with databases essential
• Fluency in English; working knowledge of Russian would be an advantage
• Proven ability to work in a large team with varied stakeholders
• Integrity, professional discretion and ability to handle confidential matters
• Willingness to travel internationally
• Pre-existing right to work in the UK.

This is a full-time fixed term contract until September 2026, based in London. The salary is relative to the charitable sector and will be commensurate with experience.

How to apply

• The deadline for applications is 8 September 2024.
• To apply for this position, send your CV and cover letter in English describing how you meet the specifications for this role and provide your availability to start**. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.**
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

What’s in it For You

At the Thomson Reuters Foundation, our people are our greatest assets. Here are some of the benefits we offer for your personal and professional growth:

• Global Perspective and Impact: Interested in working for a dynamic global organization with a focus on social impact? With hubs all over the world from Bangkok to Madrid to Rio de Janeiro, join a truly international team with a shared goal of helping to build societies around the world that are free, fair and informed.
• A Unique Approach: Our expertise in media and the law is world class; we combine the power of both to address the critical issues faced by humanity.
• Our Relevance: With a focus on advancing media freedom, fostering more inclusive economies and promoting human rights, our work has never been more needed than right now.
• Benefits: We offer competitive salary packages and market-leading benefits.
• Learning & Development: We are dedicated to the continual professional development of our employees and offer access to both in-house and external training opportunities.

About Thomson Reuters Foundation

The Thomson Reuters Foundation is corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. As an independent charity, registered in the UK and the USA, we work to advance media freedom, foster more inclusive economies, and promote human rights. Through news, media development, free legal assistance and convening initiatives, we combine our unique media and legal services to drive systemic change.