Senior Legal Associate – Pro Bono/Volunteer Role

Organization: Vandanam Trust
Job Type: Pro Bono / Volunteer
Work Mode: Remote
Reporting To: Senior Leadership of Vandanam Trust
Expected Commitment: 7–14 hours per week

About Vandanam Trust

Vandanam Trust is a public charitable organization committed to human development, education, social justice, environmental responsibility, knowledge sharing, and community empowerment. The Trust aims to build a sustainable institution founded on ethical governance, transparency, accountability, and long-term social impact.

Role Overview

Vandanam Trust is seeking an experienced legal professional to strengthen its legal, governance, and regulatory compliance framework. The Senior Legal Associate will advise senior leadership, review legal documents, support statutory compliance, and develop policies and procedures that promote institutional accountability and sustainability.

This is a pro bono volunteer opportunity for an experienced professional who wishes to contribute their legal and governance expertise toward building strong institutional foundations for a growing charitable organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Advisory and Governance

- Advise senior leadership on legal matters, governance practices, fiduciary responsibilities, and institutional risk management.
- Draft, review, and update trust deeds, governance policies, agreements, and other legal documents.
- Develop and refine conflict-of-interest policies and internal governance frameworks.

2. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

- Advise on applicable Indian laws and regulations governing charitable trusts and nonprofit organizations.




- Support compliance with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Identify potential legal risks and recommend appropriate preventive measures.
- Maintain accurate legal records and compliance documentation.

3. Contracts and Legal Documentation

- Review partnership agreements, grant-related documents, contracts, and institutional commitments.
- Provide legal inputs on organizational collaborations and operational decisions.
- Establish procedures for reviewing, approving, and maintaining legal documents.

4. Policy Development and Institutional Systems

- Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for legal, governance, and compliance activities.
- Establish documentation and escalation procedures to strengthen accountability.
- Guide relevant team members on legal responsibilities, ethical practices, and compliance procedures.

Qualification

- LL.M. in Indian Constitutional Law / Constitutional Law from a recognized university.
- Company Secretary (CS) qualification is mandatory.
- 8–10 years of relevant professional experience in legal practice, corporate legal affairs, governance, regulatory compliance, or related fields.
- Strong understanding of Indian laws, constitutional principles, corporate governance, statutory compliance, and institutional legal frameworks.




- Demonstrated expertise in legal drafting, regulatory interpretation, documentation, and risk assessment.

Preferred Experience

- Prior experience working with NGOs, charitable trusts, nonprofit institutions, or corporate legal and compliance departments.
- Experience developing governance policies, compliance frameworks, and standard operating procedures.
- Experience advising senior leadership on legal and institutional matters.

Compensation and Nature of Engagement

This is a pro bono, non-remunerative volunteer role offered in recognition of the opportunity to contribute qualified expertise toward a meaningful social mission

Applicants must understand and agree to the non-remunerative nature of this engagement before applying.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will demonstrate professional integrity, sound legal judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical governance and institutional development.

Candidates must be comfortable contributing their expertise in a non-remunerative capacity, meeting the agreed time commitment, and working within the Trust's established governance and reporting structure.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet all mandatory educational, qualified, and experience requirements are invited to apply through Indeed with an updated résumé highlighting their qualifications, relevant experience, and areas of specialization.

Important: This is a pro bono volunteer position. No financial compensation or financial assistance of any kind will be provided.

Work Location: Remote

📌 Senior Legal Associate – Pro Bono/Volunteer Role (India)
🏢 Vandanam Organization
📍 India