Counsel

Overview

Join the World Bank as Counsel focusing on ethics and internal justice.

You have:

• Master's degree in law or Juris Doctor (JD), or equivalent.
• Current license of admission to the Bar of at least one World Bank Group member country.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience working in a peer review secretariat, appeals committee, or grievance committee of a multilateral development bank or international organization.

Counsel

Job #: req35543 Organization: World Bank Sector: Ethics & Internal Justice Systems Grade: GF Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 2/16/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.

VPU Context:

The World Bank’s Ethics and Internal Justice Services Vice Presidency (EIJ VPU) brings together, under a single umbrella, the WBG’s approach to values, ethics and the resolution of workplace conflict. The EIJ VPU’s vision is to foster a values-based workplace culture and help staff uphold the WBG’s ethical standards. EIJ provides an integrated, empathetic and efficient approach to resolving workplace conflict, allowing staff to focus with urgency on the WBG’s mission. EIJ’s work covers each of the five WBG institutions. https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/ethics-and-internal-justice-services

The EIJ VPU is seeking to recruit a Counsel to work in its Peer Review Services unit (PRS) and who will report to the Manager, PRS. PRS provides an independent review by a panel of peers of managerial decisions, actions or inactions (not related to performance management) affecting a staff member.

The selected candidate is required to be detail-oriented with solid, hands-on experience in employment disputes within a multilateral development organization. The selected candidate is also required to deliver high quality work product that is timely, with the highest level of professionalism and cultural sensitivity, in a confidential environment. Under the overall supervision and guidance of the PRS Manager, the Counsel will carry out the following duties with minimal supervision:

• Create written and oral briefings for Peer Review Panels (Panels) in PRS proceedings, and detailed Panels’ reports destined to the PRS decision-maker. • Advise Panels on financial compensation or other relief for the aggrieved staff member, where applicable. • Summarize the Panels’ lessons learned for the attention of World Bank Group senior management. • Manage PRS cases in line with PRS Key Performance Indicators. • Ensure that Peer Review proceedings always remain fair and impartial. • Communicate with parties and Panels in an impartial and culturally sensitive manner. • Assist on special initiatives/projects and undertake other ad hoc assignments.

Note: 2 positions may be filled.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in law or Juris Doctor (JD), or equivalent. • Current license of admission to the Bar of at least one World Bank Group member country. • A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. • A minimum of two (2) years’ experience working in a peer review secretariat, appeals committee, or grievance committee of a multilateral development bank or international organization in a similar position with progressively increasing responsibilities.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. 2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. 3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: worldbank.org