Legal Counsel - Employment (APAC & MEA)

Role Summary:

To achieve our mission of enabling remote employment globally, we need world-class legal capability embedded in the heart of our WFM business. We are seeking a Legal Counsel – Employment (APAC) to provide comprehensive, practical legal guidance across employment and labour matters for Payoneer WFM entities in India and across the APAC region.

What You'll Do

• Provide high-quality, practical employment law advice across the full employee lifecycle in multiple APAC and MEA Jurisdictions, including hiring, employment terms, statutory benefits, disciplinary processes, performance actions, separations, and workforce restructuring.
• Advise on and manage employee relations matters - including complex terminations, mutual separations, and dispute resolution - ensuring risk-aligned outcomes for EoR clients.
• Draft, review, and refine employment documentation including employment agreements, separation and mutual termination letters, transfer and relocation documents, full and final settlement letters, and statutory HR policies.
• Ensure compliance with labour laws across all relevant jurisdictions.
• Serve as POSH Internal Committee (IC) member or advisor - ensuring all compliance obligations under the India Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act are met, and personally managing or supporting inquiry proceedings as required in line with the law.
• Assist in developing and implementing employment, HR, compensation, and workforce-structuring policies aligned to local laws and business needs - including drafting and updating employee handbooks and statutory policies across multiple jurisdictions.
• Stay ahead of legislative and regulatory developments across central and state employment laws and translate updates into actionable, business-friendly guidance for internal stakeholders and clients.
• Collaborate closely with the wider Legal, HR Ops, Payroll, Finance, Sales, and GTM teams to deliver commercially aligned legal solutions across all relevant jurisdictions.
• Support individual and large-scale workforce transitions, reorganisations, and restructuring projects, ensuring legal compliance and robust documentation throughout.
• Conduct legal research and prepare clear analysis on employment and labour law issues as required.
• Deliver training and guidance to internal teams and clients on employment law compliance, risk mitigation, and best practices.

Who You Are

• You hold a Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB); a Master's degree or LLM is an added advantage.
• You bring 2–5 years of hands-on experience in Indian employment and labour law, either from a reputable law firm or an in-house legal function. Exposure to other APAC jurisdictions' employment laws is a significant advantage.
• You understand the legal nuances of hiring, employee lifecycle management, workforce transitions, and separations in India and other APAC and MEA jurisdictions.
• Prior experience working in or advising an Employer of Record (EoR) or global workforce management platform is a significant benefit.
• You have deep, practical knowledge of Indian labour laws and regulations — including the four Labour Codes (Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code), POSH, and applicable state-level rules.
• You have strong drafting skills and are experienced in preparing and reviewing employment agreements, HR policies, separation documentation, and related employment artefacts.
• You possess excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to translate legal requirements into practical, business-aligned guidance.
• You communicate legal concepts clearly and confidently, partnering effectively with HR, business teams, and leadership.
• You can work independently and as part of a wider team manage multiple matters simultaneously and operate with sound judgment in fast-moving environments.
• You have strong attention to detail, reliability, and a commitment to accuracy and compliance.
• Experience in working with US based companies is a benefit.
• You are proactive, adaptable, and comfortable navigating evolving laws, regulations, and business needs.
• Sense of Humour