Associate Counsel at World Bank Group

Recognizing the increasing importance of and demand for legal support for the Africa Region, the Legal Vice-Presidency is seeking a qualified candidate for an Associate Counsel position in Nairobi, Kenya. The World Bank Country office in Nairobi covers four East African countries (AFCE2): Kenya, Eritrea, Rwanda and Uganda and is headed by a Country Director. The Associate Counsel will be expected to work closely with the Senior Counsel, as well as other Counsels based in Washington, D.C. who work on operations in the Region. The Associate Counsel will also work with other staff located in Country offices and in Washington, D.C. who work on operational, institutional and other matters. The Associate Counsel will work on a number of countries (including the above-mentioned countries) and will be expected to work on and travel to other countries in the region.

The incumbent will report to the Chief Counsel, LEGAM based in Washington, D.C.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Associate Counsel will assist the Senior Counsel(s) in providing legal services to project teams and the Country Management Unit. In this context, the Associate Counsel, under the supervision of the Senior Counsel, will:

• Draft and negotiate agreements (e.g., Loan, Financing and Grant Agreements, Guarantee Agreements, and Project Agreements);
• Prepare and/or review subsidiary agreements and other on-lending and on-granting agreements, and legal opinions, and recommend appropriate changes;
• Carry out portfolio management, including drafting amendments and other project-related legal documents;
• Advise project teams on World Bank policies and procedures;
• Prepare legal memoranda on pertinent legal issues, including on matters related to local law (at the national and sub-national levels) and international law;
• Participate in identification, preparation, appraisal and supervision missions with project teams and attend any other operational meetings;
• Provide guidance to Administrative Client Support staff and/or paralegals on processing of project documentation;
• Assist with legal and judicial reform work, if any (including analysis of local legislation, judicial system, etc.); and
• Carry out any other complementary duties assigned by the Senior Counsel(s) and/or the Regional Chief Counsel.

Selection Criteria:

• At minimum, an LL.B. degree or equivalent and qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction. A Master’ s degree in law is desirable.
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant work experience involving legal research, contract drafting and/or other relevant legal experience;
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical and communications skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Familiarity in the use of varied legal research sources (including electronic sources in the internet) and other databases;
• Fully proficient in computer skills, particularly in using word processing software, information databases, internet services, and library sources;
• Ability to work well as a team member in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment;
• Ability to work under time pressure and to juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines;
• Experience in administrative and contract law, and preparation and negotiation of project-related legal agreements a plus; and
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required, as well as excellent English language drafting skills. Applicants will be asked to undertake a drafting exercise as part of the selection process.
• Fluency in written and spoken French and/or Portuguese is highly desired.