Business Lawyer - Legal Support for Project Acorn
This Is What We Offer You
Contribute to a better world by supporting a project that empowers 500,000 smallholder farmers to fight climate change through agroforestry.
You and your job
Deliver legal and strategic support to a purpose-driven innovation that operates as a standalone initiative within Rabobank. As Business Lawyer, you are involved from the start of commercial projects, working in multidisciplinary teams to draft, assess, and negotiate contracts. You also play an active role in tenders and advise the business on legal, strategic, and commercial matters.
Practical Examples
As Business Lawyer for Project Acorn, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal foundation of an innovative, impact-driven initiative. Your responsibilities include:
‘Working on Acorn means being part of something bigger. We’re not just innovating—we’re making real impact, fast.’
Jelmer van de Mortel, Head of Acorn.
The 35 people in Project Acorn work together to develop and scale a transparent, traceable and impactful carbon removal solution that supports smallholder farmers in transitioning to agroforestry. Working together is the way we work; as one purposeful team at Rabobank.
Talking of Rabobank: We are a Dutch bank that operates in 35 countries for over 9 million customers. Together with these customers, our members and partners we stand side by side to create a world in which everyone has access to enough healthy food. In the Netherlands we work to create a country in which people are happy with how they live, work and do business.
You and your talent
This position will initially be part of Rabobank, within the current Acorn program team. However, the program may be transferred to a separate legal entity. If this materializes (currently anticipated around March 2026), the role will transition to the new company, outside of Rabobank. We are committed to transparent communication and support throughout this process.
- Salary: Gross monthly salary between EUR 4,516 and EUR 6,449 (scale 09).
- Extras: a thirteenth month, 8% holiday allowance, and a 10% Employee Benefit Budget.
- Development budget: EUR 1,400 development budget per year for your growth and development.
- Hybrid working: a balance between home and office work (possible for most roles).
- Pension: decide for yourself the amount of your personal contribution.
Contribute to a better world by supporting a project that empowers 500,000 smallholder farmers to fight climate change through agroforestry.
You and your job
Deliver legal and strategic support to a purpose-driven innovation that operates as a standalone initiative within Rabobank. As Business Lawyer, you are involved from the start of commercial projects, working in multidisciplinary teams to draft, assess, and negotiate contracts. You also play an active role in tenders and advise the business on legal, strategic, and commercial matters.
Practical Examples
- Drafting and negotiating complex international contracts with governments and corporate partners.
- Advising on legal aspects of carbon credit certification.
- 36–40 hours per week.
- Supporting a project that already helps nearly 500,000 farmers.
As Business Lawyer for Project Acorn, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal foundation of an innovative, impact-driven initiative. Your responsibilities include:
- Lead Contract Lifecycle Management Draft, review, and negotiate complex international agreements with governments, NGOs, and corporate partners. Ensure all contracts are aligned with Acorn’s mission and Rabobank’s compliance standards.
- Provide Regulatory and Carbon Market Expertise Advise on international regulations related to carbon credits, agroforestry, and remote sensing technologies. Monitor legislative developments in key regions (Africa, Latin America) and translate them into actionable guidance for the business.
- Develop Risk and Compliance Frameworks Design and implement legal risk assessment models for new partnerships and projects. Safeguard compliance with internal governance policies and external certification requirements.
- Shape Governance and Policy Structures Draft internal legal guidelines and governance documentation. Advise on optimal legal structures for new entities, joint ventures, and strategic collaborations.
- Drive Strategic Negotiations and Stakeholder Engagement Act as the primary legal point of contact in multidisciplinary teams. Lead negotiations with diverse stakeholders to secure agreements that balance legal integrity with commercial objectives.
‘Working on Acorn means being part of something bigger. We’re not just innovating—we’re making real impact, fast.’
Jelmer van de Mortel, Head of Acorn.
The 35 people in Project Acorn work together to develop and scale a transparent, traceable and impactful carbon removal solution that supports smallholder farmers in transitioning to agroforestry. Working together is the way we work; as one purposeful team at Rabobank.
Talking of Rabobank: We are a Dutch bank that operates in 35 countries for over 9 million customers. Together with these customers, our members and partners we stand side by side to create a world in which everyone has access to enough healthy food. In the Netherlands we work to create a country in which people are happy with how they live, work and do business.
You and your talent
- 5–9 years of experience as a lawyer and/or in-house counsel.
- Must be able to work independently and be the go to person for all things Legal for the Acorn team.
- Strong foundation in contract law.
- Can do mentality; See possibilities, not only risks and legal obstacles.
- Commercial mindset with the ability to translate legal into business.
- Must have strong affinity with Acorn goals and purpose.
- Excellent communication skills, ability to explain complicated legal stuff to business people.
- Fluent in Dutch and English.
- Experience with contracts involving governments and NGOs in Africa and Latin America is a plus.
- Any questions about the job content? Contact: Daan Velsink, Head of Operations Acorn via daan.velsink @rabobank.com.
- Any questions about working at Rabobank and the process? Sanne Courant, Corporate Recruiter via sanne.courant@rabobank.nl.
- We will hold the interviews through a video call or at the office in Utrecht.
- If you are selected for an interview, Bo, our virtual assistant, will reach out to you via SMS and email to schedule the interview.
- You can find answers to the most frequently asked questions on rabobank.jobs/en/faq.
- A security check is part of the process.
- We respect your privacy.
This position will initially be part of Rabobank, within the current Acorn program team. However, the program may be transferred to a separate legal entity. If this materializes (currently anticipated around March 2026), the role will transition to the new company, outside of Rabobank. We are committed to transparent communication and support throughout this process.