About One Acre Fund

Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund equips 5.5 million smallholder farmers to make their farms more productive. Across nine countries that together are home to two-thirds of Africa’s farmers, we provide high-quality farm supplies, tree seedlings, accessible credit, modern agronomic training, and a wide range of other agricultural services. On average, this model enables any farmer to increase their income and assets on supported land by more than 35 percent, while permanently improving their resilience. This is all made possible by our team of 9,000+ full-time staff, drawn from diverse backgrounds and professions. To learn more, please see our Why Work Here blog post.

About the Young Professionals Program

One Acre Fund’s Young Professionals Program offers high-performing African graduates meaningful internships and training opportunities at a high-performing, mission-driven organization. Our internships are paid and all interns can expect to receive substantive work assignments working on high-impact projects that support One Acre Fund’s operations.

When joining, interns will participate in an onboarding program and receive training on how to design and execute projects. Over the period of your internship, you will get the opportunity to work with like-minded individuals and receive learning opportunities to build strong foundations for your future career.

About the Role

This role supports the People Operations team by conducting legal research, ensuring HR compliance, and managing documentation. It also collaborates with the case investigation team to audit and maintain the legal integrity of the disciplinary case management system.

Responsibilities

Legal and Compliance

• Identify important labor legislation or policy advocacy opportunities by conducting legal and compliance gap analyses.
• Coordinate with the HR Lead to incorporate new opportunities into the policy pipeline.
• Provide legal advice and analysis to the HR Lead to ensure compliance with labor laws.
• Collaborate with the global legal team in reviewing high-value contracts and provide advice on compliance with Malawian rules and regulations.

Investigations

• Coordinate investigations in collaboration with the C&I team to address major fraud or serious misconduct incidents outside the field.
• Gain fluency in the investigation plan and existing materials, and conduct interviews as needed.
• Provide advice on practical and legal issues related to HR policies and disciplinary actions.
• Lead effective hearing panels, offering clear guidance and recommendations on decisions to be taken.
• Ensure that a proper paper trail is maintained for all investigations.

Litigation Management

• Support One Acre Fund in managing litigation.
• Act as the key business partner with external counsel and lawyers in handling court cases.
• Closely follow up and communicate regarding hearing schedules.
• Regularly represent One Acre Fund at police stations or courts, as requested by management and authorities.

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we deeply invest in our people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training, and regular feedback on your performance. We’ll hold career reviews every one-three months, and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and gain rewarding technical experience.

Qualifications

Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:

• Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
• Strong legal background with the ability to manage a revolving portfolio of medium- to high-risk cases.
• Over 1 year of experience in the legal, investigative, or audit fields.
• Experience in drafting, reviewing, or analyzing legal documents such as contracts, policies, or handbooks in an office setting.
• Knowledge of Malawi employment law and disciplinary practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Chichewa
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Packages (Office, PowerPoint and Excel). Google Suite will be an added advantage

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible

Job Location

Zomba, Malawi

Benefits

Interns will be provided with a reasonable stipend for the duration of their contract. Rural area based fellows will be provided assistance in locating suitable housing.

Eligibility

This role is only open to citizens or permanent residents of Malawi.

• Identify important labor legislation or policy advocacy opportunities by conducting legal and compliance gap analyses.
• Coordinate with the HR Lead to incorporate new opportunities into the policy pipeline.
• Provide legal advice and analysis to the HR Lead to ensure compliance with labor laws.
• Collaborate with the global legal team in reviewing high-value contracts and provide advice on compliance with Malawian rules and regulations.
• Coordinate investigations in collaboration with the C&I team to address major fraud or serious misconduct incidents outside the field.
• Gain fluency in the investigation plan and existing materials, and conduct interviews as needed.
• Provide advice on practical and legal issues related to HR policies and disciplinary actions.
• Lead effective hearing panels, offering clear guidance and recommendations on decisions to be taken.
• Ensure that a proper paper trail is maintained for all investigations.
• Support One Acre Fund in managing litigation.
• Act as the key business partner with external counsel and lawyers in handling court cases.
• Closely follow up and communicate regarding hearing schedules.
• Regularly represent One Acre Fund at police stations or courts, as requested by management and authorities.

• Legal research
• HR compliance
• Documentation management
• Case investigation auditing
• Legal advice and analysis
• Contract review
• Investigation coordination
• Interviewing
• HR policy and disciplinary action advice
• Hearing panel leadership
• Litigation management support
• External counsel partnership
• Communication
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
• Google Suite proficiency (advantage)
• English and Chichewa language proficiency

• Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
• Strong legal background
• Ability to manage a revolving portfolio of medium- to high-risk cases
• Over 1 year of experience in the legal, investigative, or audit fields
• Experience in drafting, reviewing, or analyzing legal documents such as contracts, policies, or handbooks in an office setting
• Knowledge of Malawi employment law and disciplinary practices
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Chichewa
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Packages (Office, PowerPoint and Excel)
• Google Suite will be an added advantage