Counsel at World Bank Group

• Job #:    req15234
• Term Duration:     3 years 0 mo
• Required Language(s):    English
• Preferred Language(s):    French, Arabic
• Closing Date:    3/3/2022  at 11:59pm UTC 

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. 

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, promotes sustainable private sector development in emerging markets, helping to reduce poverty and improve people's lives. The Legal Department of IFC (CLED), under the General Counsel and Vice President, Risk & Sustainability, is responsible for providing legal and policy advice to the IFC Board, its Management and client departments on operational, advisory and corporate matters.  Specifically, 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, public-private partnerships, and investments in funds, as well as platform products; (iv) advising on corporate policy and operational matters; and (v) knowledge management and training. 

To support IFC’s growing activities in the Africa region, CLED is recruiting a qualified Legal Counsel to be based in either Johannesburg, South Africa, Nairobi, Kenya or Dakar, Senegal, to be determined in consultation with the selected candidate.

Duties and Accountabilities:

1. Providing advice and support to colleagues working on Investments, Advisory, as well as Upstream, in Africa. Assume primary lawyer responsibility for new and portfolio investments, advisory services and Upstream projects in the Africa region. Responsibilities in respect of Advisory services will include oversight of legal analysts preparing documentation based on standardized terms and conditions. 
2. Advising on the selection of outside counsel in the Africa region, managing outside counsels’ service delivery, quality and legal costs. 
3. Interacting and communicating with colleagues in Washington and other regions to facilitate the provision of excellent legal services in the Africa region, including providing advice and support to colleagues in Washington working on projects in   the region.
4. Obtaining and expanding country knowledge, experience and best practices arising from the business in Africa and efficiently sharing and applying this knowledge in a useful, solutions-oriented and practical way. 
5. Providing general advice and support with respect to all aspects of IFC’s business in the Africa region.

Selection Criteria

1. Masters degree required
2. Qualified to practice law in one or more jurisdictions.
3. At least 8 years’ post-qualification relevant international law firm and/or international financial institution or development finance institution experience.  Experience in post conflict countries preferably in developing countries desirable.  The successful candidate will have extensive experience of  cross-border secured debt transactions (project and corporate finance including multi-lender transactions).  Experience in equity and quasi-equity, investment funds and debt capital markets desirable.
4. Ability to handle complex corporate and commercial transactions independently.
5. Willingness to assume multiple roles and tasks to meet changing business needs with an ability to foresee troubleshoot and effectively resolve conflicting issues and challenges.
6. Sound judgement and ability to assess risk in a practical and responsible manner and make fair, well-reasoned, independent decisions.
7. Excellent interpersonal skills, ability work effectively in a multicultural environment and build good relations with clients and colleagues.
8. Ability to work in a fast-pace environment with quick turnaround expectations. 
9. Willingness to travel throughout Africa frequently and on short notice.
10. Demonstrated commitment to core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency and accountability.
11. Experience with “know your customer”, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption policies and procedures desirable.
12. Excellent communications skills in English, and the capacity to present complex issues and analyses, both written and  orally, clearly, concisely and persuasively. 
13. Ability to speak French or Arabic desirable but not essential other than for postings to Dakar, Senegal where French would be essential.