Counsel/Senior Counsel

Contract

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

Counsel/Senior Counsel

Description

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Legal Department of IFC (CLED), under the General Counsel, is responsible for providing legal and policy advice to the IFC Board, its Management and client departments on operational, advisory and corporate matters. CLED supports client departments in (i) the delivery of IFC’s annual program of financing private sector projects in emerging markets, advisory services, as well as early stage engagements and pre-investment project development work to identify opportunities for private sector investments and creating markets (“Upstream”); (ii) project portfolio management (including jeopardy projects and projects in litigation); (iii) the delivery and design of structured finance products, sub-national lending, equity and quasi-equity and public-private partnerships, and investments in funds, as well as platform products; (iv) advising on corporate policy and operational matters; (v) mobilizing funds from third parties, including syndications partners and public as well as private donors, and administering trust funds for developmental purposes; and (vi) knowledge management and training.

The Trust Funds unit and the Partnerships & Multilateral Engagement team manage IFC’s donor relationships and engagements with government development agencies, several foundations and corporations, and a variety of multilateral organizations, and channel the resources using trust funds.

To support IFC’s growing activities in all these areas including trust funds, advisory services, and the growing volume of other legal work generally, CLED is recruiting a qualified Legal Counsel to be based in Washington DC.

Counsel / Senior Counsel:

We are seeking an experienced Counsel/Senior Counsel to support CLED in three areas of responsibility, (1) IFC’s Trust Funds and Partnerships units, (2) advisory services, and (3) to act as primary lawyer on projects and other matters including mainstream investments and Upstream work. The position will be based in IFC HQ (Washington DC), reporting to the AGC, Legal Practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The incumbent will:

• Focus on the subject areas of (i) Trust Funds, (ii) IFC advisory services, and (iii) general project and corporate work, including new and portfolio investments and Upstream work across all sectors and products. These three components of the role might be expected to take up an estimated 40%, 30% and 30% of time, respectively.

• Responsibilities in respect of Trust Funds include providing transaction support on Trust Fund administration arrangements, drafting, and negotiating Trust Fund agreements, and updating relevant specimens in line with evolving business needs and policy provisions, and providing an annual legal confirmation letter for trust fund audits, among others.

• Responsibilities in respect of Advisory services will include - in consultation with AGC, Legal Practices – leading CLED’s support for advisory services, and acting as counterpart to the business in relation to advisory services. This will include conducting a “refresher” review, and risk analysis, of the spectrum of evolving IFC AS activities and, with the AGC, identifying key risks areas, and designing risk mitigation strategies where necessary, this includes preparation of guidance, tools and rolling out a program of training for AS teams, as well as CLED lawyers.

• The incumbent will take on certain AS related mandates where appropriate, but primarily will guide and support Lawyers, Legal Assistants & Analysts on AS matters, and play a coordinating role for, and support, a network (to be established) of Regional Leads for Advisory Services.

• The role will also involve supporting the development of new advisory-like products (such as online and training tools, and other offerings which give rise to advisory-type risks).

• Other tasks will include taking responsibility for CLED lawyer and legal assistant/analyst assignments on HQ based AS projects and coordinating with Regional AGCs in relation to assigning field-based Lawyers and/or Legal Assistants/Analysts.

• Responsibilities in respect of general project and corporate work will include assuming primary lawyer responsibility for a range of new and portfolio investments, providing advice and support to investment clients in equity, debt, project and corporate financings involving multiple financiers in a broad range of sectors, including manufacturing, agribusiness and services, financial institutions, infrastructure, funds, and blended finance.

• In coordination with CLED’s Upstream Leads, work with client departments as they embark on identifying and assessing Upstream opportunities and advise on the design and implementation of Upstream projects. Note that there exists a Global Lead Counsel for Upstream Advisory hence that scope of work is not included in these TORs.

• Advise internal clients on institutional and corporate matters and provide legal advice and support with respect to all aspects of IFC’s business.

• Advise on the selection of outside counsel, manage outside counsel’s service delivery, quality, and legal costs.

• Contribute to knowledge management, including creating or updating specimen legal agreements, forms, the CLED website, as well as formally and informally sharing knowledge and experience with colleagues in all regions, and assisting in designing and delivering trainings.

• Bolster the visibility of IFC and CLED internally and externally as thought leaders in areas of legal issues in development financing.

Selection Criteria

• Qualified to practice law in one or more jurisdictions.

• At least 8 to 12 years of relevant experience, including experience at an international law firm and/or international financial institution and/or development institution, preferably in developing countries and/or cross border transactions. Prior experience at WBG is a requirement for this role.

• Technical excellence in relation to legal and documentation matters relevant to this role, including a good understanding of legal risks associated with trust funds, advisory activities, as well as transactional experience of debt and equity investment projects. Knowledge of WBG/IFC’s business, policies, practices and procedures. Experience working with WBG trust funds, donor funding facilities - within WBG and/or other MDBs/DFIs strongly preferred.

• Track record of working on (i) complex transactions handled independently (ii) advice to clients on structuring, innovation and/or policy matters.

• Ability to assume multiple roles and tasks to meet changing business needs with an ability to foresee, troubleshoot, escalate, and effectively resolve conflicting issues and challenges.

• Ability to assess risk in a practical manner and make fair, well-reasoned, independent and transparent decisions.

• Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment and to foster effective working relations with clients and colleagues across IFC.

• Client focused, practical, creative, and solutions oriented.

• Team player.

• Ability to motivate others, support, and convey energy.

• Professional integrity and sound judgment.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with quick turnaround times.

• Willingness to travel.

• Excellent communications skills in English (other languages are a plus) and the capacity to present both written and oral ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively at senior levels.

• Willingness to learn and develop professionally and personally, including welcoming feedback from supervisors, peers, and clients.

• Contributions to KM, thought leadership.

• Emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, sensitivity in a multicultural environment, ability to build and maintain effective working relations with clients and colleagues across IFC, and ability to work effectively in teams.

• Commitment to CLED’s core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency, and accountability.

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.