Legal Counsel

About This Role

Position Summary

The Legal Counsel will provide practical and timely legal support to Afro-REACH Research Organization across commercial contracting, clinical research and life sciences activities, regulatory and corporate matters, compliance, risk management, and other legal matters affecting the organization.

The role will support ARO as a US-facing clinical research organization, working directly with management and relevant departments to review and negotiate agreements, identify and mitigate legal risks, support regulatory and corporate compliance, and provide clear, practical legal guidance.

The Legal Counsel will work directly within ARO's systems and processes and provide responsive legal support in accordance with agreed engagement timelines.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Contracts & Agreements

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreements (CDAs/NDAs), Master Services Agreements (MSAs), sponsor and vendor agreements, advisory agreements, and consulting agreements.
• Review clinical trial agreements, investigator/site agreements, and other clinical research-related contracts.
• Identify contractual risks and advise on appropriate legal protections, including confidentiality, liability, indemnity, intellectual property, and termination provisions.
• Support contract negotiations and provide practical legal guidance on contractual matters.

Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Support

• Provide legal guidance on corporate, regulatory, compliance, and operational matters.
• Support relevant NAFDAC and CAC matters, where required.
• Advise on applicable legal risks and recommend appropriate mitigation.
• Provide legal support to relevant departments, including Clinical Operations, Regulatory, QA, HR, and Finance.

Legal Documentation

• Maintain appropriate records of contracts, legal reviews, and related documentation.
• Support the timely execution, amendment, and renewal of agreements.
• Ensure legal documentation is appropriately maintained within ARO systems.

Qualifications

Required

• Nigerian-qualified lawyer.
• Demonstrated experience in commercial contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
• Experience handling commercial agreements, including CDAs/NDAs, MSAs, sponsor/vendor agreements, advisory agreements, and consulting agreements.
• Experience providing legal support to a US-facing or international organization.
• Strong legal drafting, contract review, negotiation, and risk assessment skills.
• Ability to provide clear, practical, and business-focused legal advice.

Preferred

• Experience or familiarity with clinical research, life sciences, healthcare, or the pharmaceutical sector.
• Familiarity with NAFDAC and CAC filings and related regulatory matters.
• Experience reviewing clinical research-related agreements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong contract drafting and review skills.
• Strong attention to detail and legal risk identification.
• Sound professional judgment and confidentiality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders.
• Strong organization and ability to manage multiple legal requests.

Work Arrangement

• Site-based with flexible hours aligned to study activities.
• Remote medical review may be required.
• Engagement is study-based.

Why This Role Matters

• Consulting/fractional engagement.
• Remote/hybrid arrangement with agreed periodic attendance.
• The Legal Counsel will work directly within ARO’s systems and processes.