Legal Counsel

About Onja

Onja is a social enterprise training underprivileged youth into world-class software developers.

We find the brightest students in Madagascar who can’t afford to continue their education and train them in English language and software development. After just two-and-a-half years they are ready to work as remote front-end software developers in international tech teams.

Once in a job, our developers earn a good salary that helps them support their families and pay forward the opportunity to a new wave of students. They unlock exciting careers that fulfil their potential, and accelerate the development of their nation (see ‘How Onja Works’ below).

Our first cohort, ‘Wave 1’, consists of nineteen talented and committed graduates who are now working remotely for our partner companies in Europe and the US. With this immensely successful first cohort, and a proven social model, our goal is now to scale our impact: we aim to take on 360 new students over the next four years. 

Our fast-growing team is very united, committed to the mission, and hardworking, but we also maintain a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere that you’ll find everywhere in Madagascar. 

Onja is in Toamasina, a lively city with beautiful beaches, nice restaurants, and plenty to do and see. Toamasina is Madagascar’s second-largest city (population 300,000) yet is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty and even has a national park nearby.

About the role

Are you passionate about creating a positive change in your community? Would you like to be part of the pioneering team of a fast-growing social enterprise and experience an English-speaking, multicultural work environment? Are you proactive and like getting things done?

At Onja, we believe in the potential people have regardless of their background. We upskill underprivileged youth to work as software developers and allow Malagasy youth to accelerate Madagascar’s development.

As a Legal Counsel at Onja, your mission is to ensure Onja operates within a robust legal framework in its activities. You will safeguard Onja’s interests and overall reputation by mitigating legal risks. Your work will help us maintain compliance, manage risks that threaten Onja’s ability to fulfil its mission and uphold high ethical standards, ensuring that our program has a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve. You will provide Onja’s staff and stakeholders with the legal understanding necessary to operate confidently and in compliance with the law.

We believe in hiring based on skills, attitude and cultural fit rather than specific qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Legal department at Onja, including managing and coaching Onja’s Legal Officer.
• Provide legal guidance to management and departments across Onja on various issues, including local laws, compliance, contracts and risk management.
• Advise on the legal implications of proposed actions and strategies to ensure alignment with Malagasy legal frameworks.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with Malagasy legal requirements, including tax laws, labour laws and non-profit regulations including keeping up to date with incoming changes that could impact Onja’s operations., 
• Develop and update internal policies to reflect legal requirements and best practices.
• Engage and liaise with external legal firms and regulatory bodies, as and when required.

Candidates can anticipate that reference checks will be conducted as part of our thorough evaluation process. 

Why work with us?

• Do impactful work:  Working with Onja gives you the ability to make a real tangible difference with your work, and have a deep sense of purpose in your everyday.  Our mission is to nurture talented, underprivileged youth to lead impactful careers in tech, unlock opportunities for others and accelerate Madagascar's development. 
• Grow your skills fast: As a young fast-growing startup we are all in “over our heads” and this is a great place to grow.  You will be challenged but you’ll also be part of a very supportive team and caring environment. Our social model is innovative with exciting potential to scale, so there is a great opportunity for you to grow your career along with us. 
• Work with very talented individuals who are very socially inclined:  At Onja you’ll join a community of talented and passionate people from around Madagascar and the world.

How Onja Works

Onja is a social enterprise with a sustainable model:

1. Search for brilliant minds who would otherwise be limited to low-paid, unfulfilling careers. 
2. Students receive two years of English and software development instruction. Meet a developer here: https://onja.org/blog
3. Graduates earn (and continue learning) at our outsourcing enterprise. 
4. All profits are used to train the next wave of students and the cycle begins again

We want our hiring process to be fair and inclusive, so please do let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make. For example, if you are neurodivergent, we can accommodate and discuss modifications to our hiring process with you.