Chief of Staff Consultancy

Overview

ISLP, the International Senior Lawyers Project, seeks a dynamic and capable leader with international development experience to help develop and implement key institutional initiatives. The Chief of Staff role is ideal for an experienced professional who enjoys drawing upon varied skill sets to lead a range of projects and processes, contributing to the overall strategy, impact, and effectiveness of our mission-driven work. Key responsibilities include grants management, fundraising and donor relations, and communications. We seek someone who is knowledgeable, adaptable, highly organized, and efficient. The Chief of Staff will work most closely with the Executive Director, and also collaborate with other team and Board members. This position is part-time, anticipated 15-20 hours per week (or 60-80 hours per month). The ideal candidate will be based within commuting distance of New York City with the ability to meet from time to time in person in NYC; however, this is a remote opportunity and is open to candidates globally. Some travel may be required, depending on organizational needs and evolution of the role.

About ISLP

ISLP is a mission-driven non-profit organization with global impact. We mobilize pro bono legal expertise to promote the rule of law and advance accountable, just, and sustainable economic development. In 2024 alone, our work spanned 59 countries, primarily in the Global South, and engaged 300 volunteers. ISLP has a 25-year track record as an independent and politically neutral organization. We are a registered 501(c)(3) with a Candid Platinum Rating for Transparency.

How we work. Our client-partners are primarily civil society, government, and social enterprises. All projects are carefully vetted and scoped, driven by client needs, and grounded in trust-based partnership. ISLP’s has a lean core team of seven professionals who are based in the United States (New York) and Africa (Lagos, Nairobi, and Harare). Program officers are primarily responsible for identifying and developing project opportunities, cultivating local partnerships, and providing holistic project management. To achieve outsized impact and a multiplier effect, ISLP leverages an expansive network of lawyer volunteers (including from top-tier law firms), academics, and independent experts, who contribute specialized pro bono legal support in a range of practice areas and sectors.

What we do. Representative engagements for ISLP partner-clients include: negotiation support and direct representation on legal transactions; law reform and regulatory review and drafting support; capacity building and knowledge exchange including trainings, convenings, and toolkits; legal research and analysis; and publications.

Our focus areas include:

• Accountability & Transparency
• Civil Society Engagement
• Energy & Natural Resource Management
• Freedom of Expression & Media Law
• Innovative Finance & Social Enterprises
• Investment & Trade
• Responsible Technology, Digitalization & Trust
• Taxation

Key Responsibilities

The role of the Chief of Staff is to serve as a grants manager, communications leader, fundraiser, and detail-oriented and resourceful problem solver to help identify and carry out strategic tasks and priorities in a highly dynamic context. The incumbent will also serve as a trusted thought partner for the Executive Director and other ISLP staff. Adaptability and good communication will be of paramount importance, as priorities may shift depending on emergent needs. The Chief of Staff will coordinate regularly and proactively with the Executive Director to identify and validate priorities and timelines. Key responsibilities include:

Grants and project fees management: Oversee grants and project fees management, working collaboratively with the accounting and program teams to ensure streamlined and clear processes.

• Manage grants and institutional funder engagement to ensure compliance with reporting and invoicing requirements and foster long-term partnerships. It will be essential to understand each grant’s specific financial requirements and provide detailed oversight on compliance, budget planning, expenditures, forecasting, and financial reporting in accordance with these requirements.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures and reporting in line with financial plans and stewardship of project material sources.
• In coordination with program staff and accounting, refine and document ISLP’s processes for tracking project fees.
• Provide support to developing budgets for grants applications and project fee proposals.

Communications: Review and refine communications materials to effectively communicate ISLP’s results, outcomes, and impact through compelling storytelling.

• Work with the Executive Director to develop and implement a communications strategy with timeline and deliverables. The Chief of Staff may engage and supervise in-kind and volunteer support where available.
• Work with program staff to understand and identify key outcomes and document these results in external communications materials.
• Engage priority stakeholders to distill feedback and translate results into compelling communications materials, centered on impact story-telling.
• As needed, provide thought partnership to the program staff on monitoring program progress and impact.
• Communications will include a variety of media (e.g., print, digital, video, social media) designed to reach diverse external audiences including donors, volunteers, ISLP supporters, law firms, project partners, target communities, and others.

Fundraising: Play a key role in developing and implementing fundraising initiatives.

• 2025 initiatives: ISLP has developed a strategic fundraising framework that includes an anniversary gala event in November. The Executive Director leads fundraising activities and would benefit from support in executing parts of this strategy. Importantly, this will include activities in preparation for ISLP’s gala event and related fundraising initiatives, including coordination with relevant board and event committees. The communications responsibilities detailed above will often link to and contribute to fundraising efforts.
• Research and proposal development: The Chief of Staff will support the institution’s core fundraising efforts through donor research, outreach, and proposal development. A strong understanding and articulation of ISLP’s mission and work will be essential.
• Stewardship: The Chief of Staff will work with the Executive Director and board to develop and implement a stewardship plan and related communications for diverse types of funders (institutional and individuals).

Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives: The Chief of Staff will work with the Executive Director, Board, and staff to identify, develop, and implement special initiatives that may arise from time to time.

Qualifications

• At least 7-10 years of experience in relevant non-profit and/or international development work. Demonstrated substantive familiarity with some of our thematic areas and the geographies where we work is highly desirable and relevant.
• Experience with effective grants management, including developing proposals and meeting reporting requirements. Familiarity with the requirements of DFIs and government funders, particularly GiZ, U.S., UK, and EU, is highly relevant.
• Creative ideas and aptitude for developing compelling communications materials and impact storytelling in different media.
• Demonstrated success and enthusiasm for fundraising and donor stewardship and relationship building. Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape of foundations and other supporters of international development and rule of law work is highly relevant.
• Clear, cogent, and crisp written and oral communication skills in English, including both correspondence and promotional materials. Ability to work in a second language (particularly French, Spanish, or Portuguese) is helpful but not essential.
• An advanced degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., law, international development) can be useful. However, most important are the candidate’s professional experience and demonstrated aptitude and essential skills.
• High comfort level with using and learning technology resources, such as MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), G-suite, Canva, Salesforce, and responsible use of AI.
• Superb organizational and time management skills, adaptability, and follow-through, including keen attention to detail and accuracy. This role entails effectively managing projects and initiatives with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out projects independently and also work collaboratively.
• Sound judgment and commitment to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
• Understanding of and commitment to ISLP’s mission.
• Cultural competence, integrity, and a diplomatic personality, adept at working effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies.
• Collegiality and good nature -- an earnest sense of collaboration.

Location

ISLP is open to remote work for this position. For candidates based in the New York City area, we encourage occasional in-person meetings and participation in events.

Compensation

ISLP will pay the consultant an hourly fee commensurate with experience and location, based on the agreed scope of work. For New York City-based candidates, ISLP’s good faith estimate is 75 to 85 USD per hour, commensurate with experience.

Commitments

ISLP works globally and our team is geographically and culturally diverse. Employment and promotional opportunities are equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

How to Apply

Candidates interested in this role should email MeghanK@ISLP.org with your cover letter and your Resume or C.V. Please feel free to include supplementary materials that may be useful such as writing or communications samples and/or links to such examples. Within the cover letter please include your hourly rate. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. We will be accepting and reviewing applications on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received by June 3, 2025.