Senior Counsel

Senior Counsel

Job #: req27184 Organization: World Bank Sector:

Legal Grade: GG Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 5/3/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

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 a mission of creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet, 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 a Senior Counsel position based at HQ in Washington, D.C.

Selected candidates will work under the general supervision of the Deputy General Counsel. The Senior 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 Senior Counsel will serve as a lawyer in the Institutional Administration Practice Group, which provides legal advice and services throughout the World Bank Group on, among other things, general corporate matters, internal and external litigation public international law, international organizations law, and governance. While the Senior Counsel may work in all issue areas covered by the Group, the Senior Counsel will also have a particular focus on governance matters, including:

• Advising the governing bodies of the World Bank and the World Bank's Corporate Secretary on all matters that arise in governance of the institution, including generating legal analysis of issues arising under the World Bank's constituent documents and procedural rules.

• Addressing membership issues that arise with respect to the World Bank's member countries and prospective members.

• Advising the joint bodies created with the International Monetary Fund, including the Development Committee and Joint Committee on Remuneration of EDs and Alternates.

• Developing and conducting training of staff of the governing bodies on ethics and conflicts of interest, governance, and other matters.

• Advising on all general administrative matters related to the functioning of the staff of the governing bodies such as legal status, terms and conditions of appointment, budget and finance, information management, and other matters.

• Coordinate on common matters of interest with other international financial institutions and United Nations funds and programs

• In line with the candidates experience, skills and interest, support other functional areas such as the drafting of pleadings before the World Bank's Administrative Tribunal, agreements and arrangements with other international organizations and entities, development of internal policies and procedures on wide-ranging administrative matters, and other ad hoc assignments.

• Protect the World Bank's interests and promote its goals and values.

• Perform ad hoc assignments as requested by the Deputy General Counsel.

The Senior Counsel will work under the general supervision of the Deputy General Counsel, with day-to-day guidance provided by one or more Lead or Senior Counsels working in the same practice specialties.

Selection Criteria

• An LLM degree, J.D. or equivalent, with a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, and admission to the Bar (or equivalent) in at least one jurisdiction is required.

• Expertise or familiarity in public international law and governance matters.

• Legal transactional or litigation experience.

• Ability to work collaboratively, to build trust among peers and colleagues, to respond quickly and consistently to key issues.

• Demonstrated intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives.

• High degree of persuasiveness and diplomacy to generate consensus, especially on divisive legal issues.

• Language skills. Fluency in English, both written and oral, is required, with additional fluency in French, Spanish, Arabic, and/or Portuguese desirable.

Competencies

. Independence

Carries out complex work with due care without close supervision, preparing accurate documents and reports, ensuring that pertinent facts and arguments are fairly presented. Interprets information in an objective manner, exercising professional skepticism when required. Respects confidentiality of information and work.

. Professional Maturity

Understands the institutional context of assignments, and respects 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. Respects different points of view, especially in a multicultural environment, is never condescending or arrogant.

. Legal Reasoning

Demonstrated skill in legal reasoning, including breaking down problems into their component parts, and issue spotting. Articulates the implications of situations in a step by step way.

Remains objective when reviewing problems or situations to understand the issues. Makes sure he/she collects and verifies facts before reaching a conclusion.Can simplify complex fact patterns and explain well.

. Legal Research, Drafting, and Communication

Independently drafts documents (e.g., legal agreements, contracts, policy documents, but also novel documents and instruments) as assigned with limited supervision. Conducts research as necessary.

Is aware of the need for precision and focus on accuracy and quality. Demonstrates a writing style that is clear and precise.

. Legal Negotiation

Is able to negotiate independently. Is aware of the need to be diplomatic when working with others particularly when the issues are complex; uses good judgment in interactions with clients.

Makes sure s/he has all the necessary information and data available to enter meaningful negotiations. Works effectively with some supervision on straightforward negotiations.

. Adversarial Proceedings

Possesses demonstrated ability to engage in adversarial proceedings, including drafting of written advocacy before courts or other adjudicatory bodies, and cross examination; review of commercial contract provisions. Some litigation experience is highly desirable. Experience managing external litigation also a plus.

. Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries

Appropriately involves others in decision making and communicates with key stakeholders. Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved.

Actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches displaying a sense of mutuality and respect. Integrates WBG perspective into work.

. Effective Time Management

Manages competing demands effectively, prioritizes work demands, manages multiple competing demands on a consistent basis, without becoming frustrated or overwhelmed.

. Delivery of Results for Clients

Adds value by constantly looking for a better way to achieve more impactful results; sets challenging stretch goals.Maximizes client experiences and perspective by asking probing questions to understand unmet needs. Does not limit her/himself to identifying problems, but proposes constructive solutions to mitigate and manage foreseeable risks. Thinks outside the box.

For Inclusion in any non-Supervisory Job:

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.

Employment Value Proposition

The World Bank Group (WBG) offers comprehensive benefits including a retirement plan; health (medical dental, pharmacy, vision), life and disability insurance; generous annual leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Please note that certain benefits may vary based on appointment type (Term or Extended-Term Consultant/Temporary; HQ or Country Office appointment). 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.

The WBG aspires to remain competitive in all markets by providing compensation that attracts and retains top talent to deliver on the WBG mission of reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development.

WBG entry salaries are determined based on the grade, years of relevant experience and internal comparators. Consistent with our entry salary methodology, new hires are likely to be offered a salary between the minimum and midpoint of the salary scale for the advertised grade. In addition to the base-line salary, international staff posted to a field assignment receive generous field benefits and those at HQ receive expatriate benefits for five years, provided they are not US citizens or permanent residents.

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

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.