Volunteer Legal Research Associate with Animana

This is an opportunity to work with an Ashoka Fellow Ashoka Fellows are leading social entrepreneurs who have been selected through a rigorous process, testing the quality of their ideas and character, to become part of the Ashoka Fellowship and Network. They take on the challenges of building innovative system‑change ideas to create and spread social impact in a world faced with many challenges, refusing to let the ‘impossible’ stop them from creating a better world. This is an unpaid, volunteer opportunity About The Affiliated Organization Hecho por Nosotros (HxN) is an NGO with consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated to driving systemic change. We harness the power of the creative economy to transform society and create a more sustainable future. Our mission is to provide access and resources for the next generation to experience the interconnectedness between individuals, the world, nature, and business, while fostering systemic change within the framework of the creative economy. The creative economy and the creative industries are powerful catalysts for societal transformation when aligned with human values. We collaborate with various stakeholders – micro‑, small‑, and medium‑sized enterprises, artisans, designers, online sellers, marketing experts, big brands, economic corporations, media, and more. We aim to transform the contemporary creative industry toward a more sustainable and ethical one, addressing exploitation, modern slavery, and significant environmental impact. Adriana Marina, Ashoka Fellow and founder of HxN, along with the social enterprise Animaná, lead the charge in advocating change through partnerships with over 80 organizations, including Ashoka, Globalizer, C&A Foundation, Ikea Entrepreneurship, Fabric of Change, UN, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNECE, IDB Network, and the EU. Through our network we connect entrepreneurs, academics, craftsmen, students, NGOs, INGOs, and governments to share information and build, sustainable value chains. We also incorporate blockchain and decentralized finance principles to enhance transparency and traceability, leveraging digital innovations to benefit grassroots sustainability initiatives. Join us to drive positive change and create a more equitable future for the creative economy. For more information, visit www.hechoxnosotros.org. Job Description You will support a volunteer legal research workstream that helps an internal research team. The focus is on legal and regulatory research and analysis, not direct legal advice. Topics include biodiversity law, cultural rights, climate impacts on communities, greenwashing, intellectual property, data protection, and responsible AI and ethics. The project goal is to build a reliable knowledge base and practical research outputs the organization can use to inform decisions, reduce compliance risk, and design responsible initiatives. Volunteer Logistics Estimated hours required per week: 15 - 20. The estimated duration of the project is: 3-6 months. This position is Virtual (Remote). Language Requirements English; Spanish. Desired Skills And Experience Legal research: ability to locate and validate primary sources such as laws, regulations, agency guidance, and enforcement actions. Legal writing: ability to produce short memos and briefs with clear structure, plain language, and clean citations. Issue spotting: ability to identify key legal questions and separate facts, rules, and implications. Policy and regulatory analysis: ability to translate rules into practical takeaways for non‑legal teams. Topic familiarity: experience in at least one area (e.g., biodiversity law, cultural rights, climate impacts on communities, greenwashing, consumer protection, intellectual property, data protection, AI governance and ethics) and ability to ramp up quickly on others. Comparative research: ability to compare frameworks across countries and summarize differences succinctly. Attention to detail: thorough verification of dates, definitions, and exceptions while avoiding unsupported claims. Ethical judgment: handling sensitive topics carefully, including community impacts, privacy, and AI fairness. Collaboration: accepting feedback, coordinating with a lead, and keeping updates visible to the team. Organization skills: managing a shared research library in tools such as Google Drive or Notion. Communication: explaining findings clearly in calls or written updates. Language: strong written English, with Spanish a plus for projects covering Latin America. #J-18808-Ljbffr