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 (WBG) is one of the world’s largest sources of
development assistance and global expertise for developing countries. WBG
consists of five institutions that specialize in different aspects of
development: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD),
the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World
Bank: the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment
Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of
Investment Disputes (ICSID). For additional information, please visit http://www.worldbank.org
With twin goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared
prosperity, the WBG works in more than 100 developing economies to improve
living standards and to fight poverty. For each of its clients, the WBG works
with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private
sector to formulate assistance strategies. A network of offices worldwide
delivers the programs in countries, liaises with governments and civil
society, and works to increase understanding of development issues. The World
Bank is owned by 189 member countries whose views and interests are
represented by a Board of Governors and a Washington, DC-based Board of
Directors. With more than 150 offices worldwide, the WBG works 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.
The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of
funding and knowledge for developing countries. It uses financial resources
and extensive experience to help our client countries to reduce poverty,
increase economic growth, and improve quality of life. To ensure that
countries can access the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edge
knowledge, the World Bank Group is constantly seeking to improve the way it
works. Key priorities include delivering measurable results, promoting
openness and transparency in development, and improving access to development
information and data.
Legal Vice Presidency. In the context of the
World Bank’s broad development agenda, the Legal Vice Presidency (LEG), under
the Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel (SVP-GC), is responsible
for providing legal advice and support to internal and external Bank clients
on operational, advisory, financial, administration, and institutional
matters.
LEGIA. Lawyers
in the Institutional Affairs Practice Group (LEGIA) provide legal advice and
services throughout the World Bank Group, including for the Regional Vice
Presidencies, the Human Resources Vice Presidency, the Information and
Technology Solution Vice Presidency, the Internal Justice System Vice
Presidency, the Global Corporate Solutions Department Vice Presidency, the
External and Corporate Relations Vice Presidency, the Ethics and Internal
Justice Vice Presidency; the Strategy, Performance, and Administration Vice
Presidency, as well as to International Finance Corporation (IFC),
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and International Centre for
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) regarding the institutional affairs
of these institutions within the responsibility of the World Bank Group
Counsel.
LEGIA
invites qualified candidates to apply for an Associate Counsel position based at HQ in Washington, D.C.
Selected
candidate will work under the general supervision of the Deputy General
Counsel. The Associate Counsel will be a lawyer who can operate independently
to handle legal and policy issues related to the Bank’s work while working
collaboratively with other lawyers within LEGIA and LEG as a whole.
Responsibilities
and Accountabilities
The
Associate Counsel position requires demonstrated ability of rigorous
analytical skills, to work harmoniously in a team, and to exercise good
judgment. 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
Associate Counsel will be expected to handle the following areas of
responsibility:
-Draft, review, negotiate and
finalize legal agreements under the Associate Counsel’s portfolio.
-Review and support negotiations
of corporate procurement contracts.
-Draft and revise pleadings and
submissions to the Bank’s Administrative Tribunal.
-Advise on issues related to
data privacy, intellectual property, and data integrity.
-Advise on issues related to the World
Bank Sanctions system.
-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 in operations, identify
legal and policy issues, research for 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.
-Protect the
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.
-Work to
advance the LEG VPU’s knowledge management agenda and use of technology;
and
-Perform ad hoc
assignments as requested by the Deputy General Counsel or designated
Lead/Senior Counsel.
Selection Criteria
An LLB degree, LLM degree, J.D. or equivalent, with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, and admission to the Bar (or equivalent) in at least one jurisdiction is required.
Competencies
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.
-Excellent
organizational skills.
-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 what issues to bring to the attention of the
Chief Counsel and/or another supervising Lead Counsel, and which to
handle autonomously.
-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., procurement agreements or commercial contracts),
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.
* 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 clarifying 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
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.
– A strong results-oriented mindset.
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.