Expert (EU) Finance Lawyer

We have an exciting, challenging, and rewarding opportunity for an experienced Finance Lawyer, who wants to develop and support strategic legal interventions to bring systemic accountability to the European finance sector for its environmental and social impact. This is a job for you, if you have a strong background in EU finance, corporate law and litigation, and are interested in applying your experience to compel integration between European investments and environmental limits, as set forth, i.a., in the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

About us

Greenpeace is a global network of campaigning organisations, working for a green and peaceful future. It comprises 26 independent national/regional Greenpeace organisations (NROs) in over 55 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, as well as a co-ordinating organisation, Greenpeace International. We expose global environmental problems and force positive changes through research, lobbying and non-violent direct action. For more information, please see www.greenpeace.org.

The campaign you will be a part of, the European “Money for Change” project, seeks to address both private and public financial flows to ensure that the real economy, direct and indirect bankrolling of environmental degradation, as well as the rules that govern this system, are brought into account.

About the role

The overall purpose of the job is to design and implement an effective and robust legal strategy, coordinated across Greenpeace NROs, to hold European governments, corporations, and financial institutions accountable for making socially and environmentally risky investments. 

This job requires you to develop novel ideas about how to use existing laws and regulations to bring environment-related financial risks to the attention of influential actors in the financial sector.  Reporting to the European “Money for Change” campaign lead, you will be the main legal resource for the campaign team. 

In this role, you will work closely with local and international lawyers, supporting the global Greenpeace network. We expect this position to fulfill a leading role in setting the campaign’s legal strategic direction and to hold opportunities to design and impact the direction of growing legal capacity. Your day to day work will involve a mix of identifying, developing, and implementing litigation and regulatory interventions, and participating in policy and advocacy work, with the aim of influencing the behavior of major European players in the global financial market to bring them in line with environmental sustainability. 

Main responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support for the selection, development, and implementation of strategic legal interventions, litigation or regulatory complaints in relation to the financial sector for the European “Money for Change” campaign;

• Assist in domestic, regional and international litigation, including not only the development of litigation strategy, but also drafting and reviewing legal submissions;

• Provide expert research and analysis, critically analyse laws, legislative proposals and policy proposals;

• Develop and maintain a robust and extensive knowledge of finance related legal issues; 

• Prepare high-quality written work products designed to communicate campaign objectives to a wide variety of audiences; and

• Initiate and maintain collaborative relationships with key external partners.
  
  

You will be able to select a location within Europe, where one of Greenpeace’s NRO’s is located (subject to agreement). For a full list of potential locations, see here. Remote working is also possible (subject to agreement). 

About you

We believe that you’re an individual possessing strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop good working relationships with diverse, cross-cultural and global teams. Furthermore, we expect that you have excellent planning and organizing skills, in particular as applied to developing and implementing complex projects across teams. You should also have superb communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate complex legal issues, specifically tailored to targeted audiences. Proficiency in English required with additional languages preferred. 

A demonstrated track record of network and relationship development and engaging with a wide variety of external stakeholders at EU level and national level is desirable. Strong skills in capacity-building, training and knowledge transfer, with experience mentoring and developing less experienced members of staff is also sought. You should be self-driven, as well as an adept team player. It’s also desirable if you have an innovative and open mindset.

Skills and qualifications

• University degree in law.

• Admission and good standing with a bar association.

• Significant experience working as a professional finance lawyer, including managing  litigation and experience in leading legal advocacy work, preferably in an international context.

• In-depth knowledge of European corporate, and finance laws and policies, the functioning of the financial sector, and recent policy and legal development across jurisdictions.

• Self-driven, and able to work autonomously, while also a team player.

• Commitment to environmental protection and Greenpeace values. 

• Experience working in private practice, e.g., a corporate law firm or in-house at a financial institution (preferred). 

• Experience using law in a campaigning context, or working in an advocacy role with civil society organisations (desirable).

What we believe in 

We value the benefits and strengths that diversity brings to the Greenpeace network. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, national origin, political affiliation, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. 

We strongly encourage you to apply if interested!

Additional information

This is a temporary, full time position for a duration of two years (with the possibility of prolonging, depending on funding). We offer NGO level salary and benefits, the specifics of which depend on the location where the successful candidates will be based. Ideal starting date is prior to 1st of June. 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Kim Lind (HR Business Partner, Greenpeace Nordic) at kim.lind@greenpeace.org. 

Deadline for applying is the 17th of April. We look forward to receiving your application.

Application