Counsel - Institutional Affairs

Doyou want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World BankGroup provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve theirgreatest development challenges.

The World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world's largest sources ofdevelopment assistance and global expertise for developing countries. WBGconsists of five institutions that specialize in different aspects ofdevelopment: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD),the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the WorldBank: the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral InvestmentGuarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement ofInvestment Disputes (ICSID). For additional information, please visit  http://www.worldbank.org

With twin goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting sharedprosperity, the WBG works in more than 100 developing economies to improveliving standards and to fight poverty. For each of its clients, the WBG workswith government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the privatesector to formulate assistance strategies. A network of offices worldwidedelivers the programs in countries, liaises with governments and civilsociety, and works to increase understanding of development issues. The WorldBank is owned by 189 member countries whose views and interests arerepresented by a Board of Governors and a Washington, DC-based Board ofDirectors. With more than 150 offices worldwide, the WBG works with publicand private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and usingdata, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent globalchallenges.

The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources offunding and knowledge for developing countries. It uses financial resourcesand extensive experience to help our client countries to reduce poverty,increase economic growth, and improve quality of life. To ensure thatcountries can access the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edgeknowledge, the World Bank Group is constantly seeking to improve the way itworks. Key priorities include delivering measurable results, promotingopenness and transparency in development, and improving access to developmentinformation and data.

Legal Vice Presidency. In the context of theWorld Bank's broad development agenda, the Legal Vice Presidency (LEG), underthe Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel (SVP-GC), is responsiblefor providing legal advice and support to internal and external Bank clientson operational, advisory, financial, administration, and institutionalmatters.
LEGIA. Lawyersin the Institutional Affairs Practice Group (LEGIA) provide legal advice andservices throughout the World Bank Group, including for the Regional VicePresidencies, the Human Resources Vice Presidency, the Information andTechnology Solution Vice Presidency, the Internal Justice System VicePresidency, the Global Corporate Solutions Department Vice Presidency, theExternal and Corporate Relations Vice Presidency, the Ethics and InternalJustice Vice Presidency; the Strategy, Performance, and Administration VicePresidency, as well as to International Finance Corporation (IFC),Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and International Centre forSettlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) regarding the Institutional Affairsof these institutions within the responsibility of the World Bank GroupCounsel.

LEGIA invites qualified candidates to apply for two Counsel positions basedat HQ in Washington, D.C.

Selectedcandidates will work under the general supervision of the Deputy GeneralCounsel. The Counsels will be lawyers who can operate independently to handlelegal and policy issues related to the Bank’s work while workingcollaboratively with other lawyers within LEGIA and LEG as a whole.
Responsibilitiesand Accountabilities

TheCounsel positions require demonstrated ability of rigorous analytical skills,to work harmoniously in a team, and to exercise good judgment. The level andquality of these skills will be a determining factor in the selection for theposition, and references will be given consideration in this determination.

TheCounsel will be expected to handle the following areas of responsibility:

- Draft, review, negotiate andfinalize legal agreements under the Counsel’s portfolio.
-Draft and revise pleadings andsubmissions to the Bank’s Administrative Tribunal.
- Provide general advice on arange of human resource matters.
- Advising on internal andexternal investigations related to fraud, corruption, or misconduct.
- Review and support negotiationsof corporate procurement contracts.
- Manage national courtlitigation and commercial arbitration including overseeing externalcounsel, reviewing and commenting on briefing material, and liaisingwith national authorities.
- Advise on issues related todata privacy, intellectual property, and data integrity.
- Cover a broad portfolio of countries,providing risk-based advice to clients on legal and policy issues inoperations.
- Participate in or lead on initiatives or teams, through coordination of portfolios or programs, management of client relationships, participating in dialogue on corporate priorities and other areas relevant to the assigned functional scope.
- Providelegal advice to ongoing projects and programs, including reviewingproject and program documents, for adherence to World Bank Grouppolicies, procedures and business objectives.
- Conductcomparative legal analyses on a range of issues in operations, identifylegal and policy issues, research for relevant precedents, and proposeappropriate solutions to colleagues and clients.
- Engage inpolicy discussions and negotiations with officials internally andexternally, developing relationships with members of the legalprofession and lawyers working in development partner agencies.
- Protect theWorld Bank's interests and promote its goals and values.
- Write andreview policy papers, undertake legal research on topics in an area ofconcentration and contribute to dissemination of policy and bestpractices in a given field.
- Prepare legalbriefs on diverse topics, as required.
- Work toadvance the LEG VPU’s knowledge management agenda and use of technology;and
- Perform ad hocassignments as requested by the Deputy General Counsel or designatedLead/Senior Counsel.

Selection Criteria

An LLM degree, J.D. or equivalent, with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, and admission to the Bar (or equivalent) in at least one jurisdiction is required.
Competencies

- Excellent legal research, writing,drafting, analytical and communications skills.
- Excellentinterpersonal skills.
- Experience ininternational, commercial or contract law, in transactional legal workand the preparation and negotiation of legal agreements.
- Excellentlegal drafting skills, including of agreements and legal memos.
- Familiarity inthe use of varied legal research sources (including electronic sourceson the internet) and other databases.
- Proven abilityto operate effectively as a member of one or more teams; must be a self-starterand collaborate well with others; ability to exercise sound judgment inrecognizing what issues to bring to the attention of the Chief Counseland/or another supervising Lead Counsel, and which to handleautonomously.
- Proven abilityto identify and help manage legal risk, through sound judgment,determining and escalating risk appropriately, providing risk-basedadvice, and guide more junior staff on the same.
- Proven abilityto deal sensitively in multicultural and multi-ethnic environments and buildeffective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Ability tosupervise and work with local counsel in a collaborative and collegialway.
- Ability towork under time pressure and to manage multiple tasks within tightdeadlines.
Other CompetenciesRequired

* LegalDrafting, Research and Communication: Proven ability to draft transactionaldocumentation (e.g., loan agreements or other financial agreements),briefings and a variety of legal instruments and related documentsindependently. Conducts researchas necessary to acquire insight and information. Is aware of the need for precision andfocus on quality. Uses a writingstyle that is clear and precise.

* Independence:Carries out work with due care, preparing accurate documents and reports,ensuring that pertinent facts are fairly presented without seeking toobfuscate (either through too much information or withholding relevantinformation). Interpretsinformation in an objective manner, exercising professional skepticismwhen required.

* ProfessionalMaturity: Understands others and the reasonsfor their behavior. Takes the time to clarifying others' points of viewso that progress can be made particularly in situations of stress orconflict. Proven ability to deal sensitively and effectively acrossorganizational boundaries, as a team member, in multi-culturalenvironments and build effective working relations with clients andcolleagues. Accepts andimplements decisions made by management.

* LegalReasoning:Breaks down problems into their component parts. Articulates the implications ofsituations in a step-by-step way.Remains objective when reviewing problems or situations tounderstand the issues. Makes sureto seek or possess all relevant facts.

* Recommendsand takes decisive action: Applies critical thinking and seeksinputs and experience from others to recommend a course of actionconsistent with the WBG’s strategy.Evaluates risk and anticipates the short and long-termimplications of decisions.Commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has beenreached.

* Delivers Results for Clients: Contributes to delivery of results for clients oncomplex issues. Sets challenging goals that align with the WBG missionand is always looking to improve. Understands clients’ most pressingchallenges and contributes to solutions. Takes personal responsibilityfor producing high quality work, identifying and informing of risks, anddelivering results for clients.

* Collaborates within Teams and Across Boundaries: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timelyresponse to client queries, requests or needs, working to removeobstacles that may impede execution or overall success. Sharesinformation and frames thinking/actions with a corporate perspective in mind.

* Leads and Innovates: Brings new and different insights. Applies criticalthinking to current approaches, identifies areas for improvement, andtries new solutions that drive results. Considers own behavior incontext of WBG’s values and mission and recognizes impact one has onothers. Operates in ambiguity and changing needs and supports others todo the same.

* Creates, Applies and Shares Knowledge: Actively contributes to andreadily applies WBG’s body of knowledge for internal and/or externalclient solutions. Contributes to the department’s and WBG’s body ofknowledge by applying lessons learned and expertise. Actively invests inown knowledge and seeks feedback. Builds personal and professionalnetworks within and beyond the work group.

* Makes SmartDecisions: Leverages available dataand makes timely decisions. Seeks and analyzes facts, data and lessonsof past experience to support sound, logical decisions regarding own andothers’ work. Applies cost/benefit analysis to meet work programobjectives. Contributes to decision making by providing relevantrisk-analysis. Shows initiative when necessary and makes decisions in atimely manner within own area of responsibility.
Values, Leadership Potential

- Demonstrated commitment to the World Bank Core Values for WBG  and a proven track record of fostering a strong and healthy culture of diversity, inclusion, teamwork, honesty, trust, openness, integrity, and accountability.

- Demonstrated ability to be sensitive to issues around race, gender, ethnicity, inclusion, and intersectionality.

-  Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and foster a positive working environment.

- Demonstrated commitment to the Bank’s mission, and ability to work towards WBG's corporate targets for successful outcomes.

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank  and IFC , including our values and inspiring stories.