Counsel

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This is a World Bank Group grade: GF contract. More about World Bank Group grade: GF contracts.

Counsel

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The Legal Vice Presidency (LEGVP), under the Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel, is responsible for providing legal support to internal and external World Bank clients on operational, advisory and corporate matters. LEGVP provides legal services required by the World Bank and plays an active role in all the World Bank's activities. In addition, LEGVP helps to ensure that all World Bank activities comply with the institution's Articles of Agreement, as well as its operational policies and procedures. Organizationally, LEGVP includes geographically-based regional Operational Practice Groups devoted to the legal and policy aspects of the World Bank's lending operations, Policy and Advisory Practice Groups which provide advice on operations policy, environmental and international law, structured finance and guarantees and Corporate Practice Groups, which provide advice on corporate finance, development finance , administrative and institutional matters for the World Bank. LEGLE is the unit within the LEGVP that works on Bank operations in the Latin American and Caribbean Region and the Europe and Central Asia Region.

LEGLE invites qualified candidates to apply for a Counsel position based in Brasilia, Brazil. The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the LEGLE Chief Counsel. The Counsel will be a lawyer who can operate independently to handle legal and policy issues related to the Bank’s operational work while collaborating with other lawyers within LEGLE and LEG as a whole. The assignment in Brasilia will be for a term of four years. If the Counsel receives an extension of his/her contract, the Counsel will be expected to express interest in other decentralized positions or in a rotation at HQ in Washington, D.C.

Roles & Responsibility:

The Counsel position requires demonstrated technical depth, ability to apply rigorous analytical skills, to work harmoniously in a team, and to exercise good judgment within a broad range of contexts on increasingly complex projects. The level and quality of these skills will be a determining factor in the selection for the position, and references will be given consideration in this determination.

The Counsel will function as a principal legal advisor to one or more assigned internal World Bank clients. The Counsel will be expected to handle the following areas of responsibility:

- Draft, review, negotiate and finalize legal documents under the Counsel’s portfolio. Cover a broad portfolio of countries, providing advice to management and staff on legal and policy issues in operations.

- Identify, assess and provide advice to management and staff under the legal risk management framework being developed, including rating and reporting of legal risks, and serve as a champion as that framework is developed and fully implemented.

- 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.

- Provide legal advice to ongoing projects and programs, including reviewing project and program documents, for adherence to World Bank Group policies, procedures and business objectives.

- Conduct comparative legal analyses on a range of issues within operations, identify legal and policy issues, research relevant precedents, and propose appropriate solutions to colleagues and clients.

- Engage in policy discussions and negotiations with officials internally and externally, developing relationships with members of the legal profession and lawyers working in development partner agencies or other counterparty organizations.

- Protect World Bank’s interests and promote its goals and values.

- Write and review policy papers, undertake legal research on topics in an area of concentration and contribute to dissemination of policy and best practices in a given field.

- Prepare legal briefs on diverse topics, as required.

- Ability to serve in an acting capacity for supervisor.

- Work to advance the LEGVP’s knowledge management agenda and use of technology.

- Perform ad hoc assignments as requested by the Chief Counsel or designated Lead Counsel.

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The Legal Vice Presidency (LEGVP), under the Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel, is responsible for providing legal support to internal and external World Bank clients on operational, advisory and corporate matters. LEGVP provides legal services required by the World Bank and plays an active role in all the World Bank's activities. In addition, LEGVP helps to ensure that all World Bank activities comply with the institution's Articles of Agreement, as well as its operational policies and procedures. Organizationally, LEGVP includes geographically-based regional Operational Practice Groups devoted to the legal and policy aspects of the World Bank's lending operations, Policy and Advisory Practice Groups which provide advice on operations policy, environmental and international law, structured finance and guarantees and Corporate Practice Groups, which provide advice on corporate finance, development finance , administrative and institutional matters for the World Bank. LEGLE is the unit within the LEGVP that works on Bank operations in the Latin American and Caribbean Region and the Europe and Central Asia Region.

LEGLE invites qualified candidates to apply for a Counsel position based in Brasilia, Brazil. The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the LEGLE Chief Counsel. The Counsel will be a lawyer who can operate independently to handle legal and policy issues related to the Bank’s operational work while collaborating with other lawyers within LEGLE and LEG as a whole. The assignment in Brasilia will be for a term of four years. If the Counsel receives an extension of his/her contract, the Counsel will be expected to express interest in other decentralized positions or in a rotation at HQ in Washington, D.C.

Roles & Responsibility:

The Counsel position requires demonstrated technical depth, ability to apply rigorous analytical skills, to work harmoniously in a team, and to exercise good judgment within a broad range of contexts on increasingly complex projects. The level and quality of these skills will be a determining factor in the selection for the position, and references will be given consideration in this determination.

The Counsel will function as a principal legal advisor to one or more assigned internal World Bank clients. The Counsel will be expected to handle the following areas of responsibility:

- Draft, review, negotiate and finalize legal documents under the Counsel’s portfolio. Cover a broad portfolio of countries, providing advice to management and staff on legal and policy issues in operations.

- Identify, assess and provide advice to management and staff under the legal risk management framework being developed, including rating and reporting of legal risks, and serve as a champion as that framework is developed and fully implemented.

- 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.

- Provide legal advice to ongoing projects and programs, including reviewing project and program documents, for adherence to World Bank Group policies, procedures and business objectives.

- Conduct comparative legal analyses on a range of issues within operations, identify legal and policy issues, research relevant precedents, and propose appropriate solutions to colleagues and clients.

- Engage in policy discussions and negotiations with officials internally and externally, developing relationships with members of the legal profession and lawyers working in development partner agencies or other counterparty organizations.

- Protect World Bank’s interests and promote its goals and values.

- Write and review policy papers, undertake legal research on topics in an area of concentration and contribute to dissemination of policy and best practices in a given field.

- Prepare legal briefs on diverse topics, as required.

- Ability to serve in an acting capacity for supervisor.

- Work to advance the LEGVP’s knowledge management agenda and use of technology.

- Perform ad hoc assignments as requested by the Chief Counsel or designated Lead 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.

General Competencies Required

* Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, analytical and communications skills.

* Excellent interpersonal skills.

* Experience in international, commercial or contract law, in transactional legal work and the preparation and negotiation of legal agreements.

* Excellent legal drafting skills, including of agreements and legal memos . Familiarity in the use of varied legal research sources (including electronic sources on the internet) and other databases.

* Proven ability to operate effectively as a member of one or more teams; must be a self-starter and collaborate well with others; ability to exercise sound judgment in recognizing which issues to bring to the attention of the Chief Counsel and/or another supervising Lead Counsel, and which to handle autonomously.

* Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives.

* Proven ability to manage legal risk, through sound judgment, determining and escalating risk appropriately, providing risk-based advice, and guide more junior staff on the same.

* Proven ability to deal sensitively in multicultural and multi-ethnic environments and build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.

* Ability to supervise and work with local counsel in a collaborative and collegial way.

* Ability to work under time pressure and to manage multiple tasks within tight deadlines.

Other Competencies Required

- Legal Drafting, Research and Communication: Proven ability to draft transactional documentation (e.g., loan agreements or other financial agreements), briefings and a variety of legal instruments and related documents independently. Conducts research as necessary to acquire insight and information. Is aware of the need for precision and focus on quality. Uses a writing style that is clear and precise.

- Legal Reasoning: Breaks down problems into their component parts.Articulates the implications of situations in a step-by-step way. Remains objective when reviewing problems or situations to understand the issues. Makes sure to seek or possess all relevant facts.

- Multilateral Development Banks’ Legal and Policy Framework: Knowledge of the Multilateral Development Banks’ legal framework and policies and procedures is desirable but not mandatory.

- Independence: Carries out work with due care, preparing accurate documents and reports, ensuring that pertinent facts are fairly presented without seeking to obfuscate (either through too much information or withholding relevant information). Interprets information in an objective manner, exercising professional skepticism when required.

- Professional Maturity: Understands others and the reasons for their behavior. Takes the time to clarify others' points of view so that progress can be made particularly in situations of stress or conflict. Proven ability to deal sensitively and effectively across organizational boundaries, as a team member, in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues. Accepts and implements decisions made by management.

- Recommends and takes decisive action: Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG’s strategy. Evaluates risk and anticipates the short and long-term implications of decisions. Commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has been reached.

- Creates, Applies and Shares Knowledge: Actively contributes to and readily applies WBG’s body of knowledge for internal and/or external client solutions. Contributes to the department’s and WBG’s body of knowledge by applying lessons learned and expertise. Actively invests in own knowledge and seeks feedback. Builds personal and professional networks within and beyond the work group.

- Delivers Results for Clients: Contributes to delivery of results for clients on complex issues. Sets challenging goals that align with the WBG mission and is always looking to improve. Understands clients’ most pressing challenges and contributes to solutions. Takes personal responsibility for producing high quality work, identifying and informing of risks, and delivering results for clients.

- Makes Smart Decisions: Leverages available data and makes timely decisions. Seeks and analyzes facts, data and lessons of past experience to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others’ work. Applies cost/benefit analysis to meet work program objectives. Contributes to decision making by providing relevant risk-analysis. Shows initiative when necessary and makes decisions in a timely manner within own area of responsibility.

- Leads and Innovates: Brings new and different insights. Applies critical thinking to current approaches, identifies areas for improvement, and tries new solutions that drive results. Considers own behavior in context of WBG’s values and mission and recognizes impact one has on others. Operates in ambiguity and changing needs and supports others to do the same.

- Collaborates within Teams and Across Boundaries: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success. Shares information and frames thinking/actions with a corporate perspective in mind.

* 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.

General Competencies Required

* Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, analytical and communications skills.

* Excellent interpersonal skills.

* Experience in international, commercial or contract law, in transactional legal work and the preparation and negotiation of legal agreements.

* Excellent legal drafting skills, including of agreements and legal memos . Familiarity in the use of varied legal research sources (including electronic sources on the internet) and other databases.

* Proven ability to operate effectively as a member of one or more teams; must be a self-starter and collaborate well with others; ability to exercise sound judgment in recognizing which issues to bring to the attention of the Chief Counsel and/or another supervising Lead Counsel, and which to handle autonomously.

* Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives.

* Proven ability to manage legal risk, through sound judgment, determining and escalating risk appropriately, providing risk-based advice, and guide more junior staff on the same.

* Proven ability to deal sensitively in multicultural and multi-ethnic environments and build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.

* Ability to supervise and work with local counsel in a collaborative and collegial way.

* Ability to work under time pressure and to manage multiple tasks within tight deadlines.

Other Competencies Required

- Legal Drafting, Research and Communication: Proven ability to draft transactional documentation (e.g., loan agreements or other financial agreements), briefings and a variety of legal instruments and related documents independently. Conducts research as necessary to acquire insight and information. Is aware of the need for precision and focus on quality. Uses a writing style that is clear and precise.

- Legal Reasoning: Breaks down problems into their component parts.Articulates the implications of situations in a step-by-step way. Remains objective when reviewing problems or situations to understand the issues. Makes sure to seek or possess all relevant facts.

- Multilateral Development Banks’ Legal and Policy Framework: Knowledge of the Multilateral Development Banks’ legal framework and policies and procedures is desirable but not mandatory.

- Independence: Carries out work with due care, preparing accurate documents and reports, ensuring that pertinent facts are fairly presented without seeking to obfuscate (either through too much information or withholding relevant information). Interprets information in an objective manner, exercising professional skepticism when required.

- Professional Maturity: Understands others and the reasons for their behavior. Takes the time to clarify others' points of view so that progress can be made particularly in situations of stress or conflict. Proven ability to deal sensitively and effectively across organizational boundaries, as a team member, in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues. Accepts and implements decisions made by management.

- Recommends and takes decisive action: Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG’s strategy. Evaluates risk and anticipates the short and long-term implications of decisions. Commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has been reached.

- Creates, Applies and Shares Knowledge: Actively contributes to and readily applies WBG’s body of knowledge for internal and/or external client solutions. Contributes to the department’s and WBG’s body of knowledge by applying lessons learned and expertise. Actively invests in own knowledge and seeks feedback. Builds personal and professional networks within and beyond the work group.

- Delivers Results for Clients: Contributes to delivery of results for clients on complex issues. Sets challenging goals that align with the WBG mission and is always looking to improve. Understands clients’ most pressing challenges and contributes to solutions. Takes personal responsibility for producing high quality work, identifying and informing of risks, and delivering results for clients.

- Makes Smart Decisions: Leverages available data and makes timely decisions. Seeks and analyzes facts, data and lessons of past experience to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others’ work. Applies cost/benefit analysis to meet work program objectives. Contributes to decision making by providing relevant risk-analysis. Shows initiative when necessary and makes decisions in a timely manner within own area of responsibility.

- Leads and Innovates: Brings new and different insights. Applies critical thinking to current approaches, identifies areas for improvement, and tries new solutions that drive results. Considers own behavior in context of WBG’s values and mission and recognizes impact one has on others. Operates in ambiguity and changing needs and supports others to do the same.

- Collaborates within Teams and Across Boundaries: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success. Shares information and frames thinking/actions with a corporate perspective in mind.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: worldbank.org