Legal Counsel (m/f/div)

FLOCERT is a leading global assurance provider. Beyond certifying Fairtrade, FLOCERT offers certification and verification services and customized sustainability solutions to help companies transform their business ethically. With six international offices and operations in around 120 countries, FLOCERT supports over 6,000 customers, ranging from small‑scale producers to globally recognized brands, to promote fairness in global trade.

Job Details

• Position: Legal Counsel (m/f/div) – full‑time (38.5 hours per week)
• Location: FLOCERT GmbH Headquarter, Bonn, Germany
• Salary: Category VIa (manager level) – depends on qualifications and experience per collective agreement
• Start date: as soon as possible

We are looking for a generalist Legal Counsel who combines legal expertise with a pragmatic, solution‑oriented mindset. In this role, you will work across departments, provide hands‑on advice on corporate, commercial, civil and contract law, and ensure that FLOCERT operates within a secure and compliant legal framework.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on corporate, commercial, civil, and contract law.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support governance processes and contribute to company‑level decision‑making.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions.
• Ensure effective risk and contract management.
• Coordinate with external legal advisors.
• Support development of compliance frameworks and advise on compliance with applicable law and internal regulations.
• Share knowledge and provide training on legal matters within FLOCERT.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified German lawyer (Volljurist*in; First and Second State Examination), admitted to the bar with above‑average results.
• Fluent in German and English, both oral and written.
• Solid knowledge of civil and commercial law.
• Solid experience in drafting, commenting, and negotiating contracts.
• Excellent communication skills and intercultural competence.
• Ability to manage workload independently, prioritise effectively, and deliver under pressure.
• Strong service orientation combined with motivation for fair trade.
• Minimum three years experience as in‑house legal counsel within an international environment or an international law firm.
• Understanding of compliance and risk assessment.
• Additional language skills (e.g. French, Spanish) and familiarity with data protection law or regulatory environment of certification standards are advantageous.

Benefits

• International work environment.
• Company culture of dialogue and respect.
• Onboarding and welcome management.
• Open‑minded and value‑driven colleagues living the mission.
• Remote work & flexible working hours.
• Attractive benefit package: holiday bonus, 13th salary, occupational pension scheme, and more.
• Opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Chance for motivated staff to grow.

Important Note

Valid work permit for Germany is required for non‑EU citizens. Applications without a valid work permit and sufficient German language skills may not be considered.