Legal Officer at World Bank Group

Duties and Responsibilities 

The successful candidate should be able to work autonomously and exercise independent judgment on straightforward financing transactions in the financial and real sector and follow-on same paper investments with existing clients. This includes advising internal clients at the business development stage, Term Sheet stage, and drafting and negotiating the deal. Applicants should also be able to provide “second chair” support on more complex transactions with a senior colleague. Applicants should also be able to: 

• Oversee work produced by more junior staff in the legal department. 
• Handle portfolio work, including reviewing amendment and waiver documents and working on subsequent closings and disbursements; and 
• Update guidance and precedents and work on legal and IFC policy research. 
• Should be knowledgeable about the laws of at least one relevant jurisdiction in the region related to commercial and company law /banking and finance. 
• Should have demonstrated the competence needed to satisfactorily perform a variety of different and, at times, complex assignments to support the Legal Department. 

Research:

• Proficient in the use of varied legal research sources, i.e., information databases, internet services, library sources 
• Proven legal analytical skills, as demonstrated through research and analysis of a wide range of legal issues and the ability to present results/ recommendations clearly and concisely 

Productivity:

• Ability to advocate positions and explain them to internal and external clients 
• Ability to juggle a number of projects/ tasks at the same time 

Communication:

• Ability to defend IFC’s approach in its standard loan and equity clauses and has developed an approach for successful negotiations 
• Can effectively communicate corporate policies and objectives to internal and external clients 
• Able to handle communications and articulate instructions to local counsel and external parties and follow-up with the same with a view to finalize IFC positions including in terms of drafting documents 

Judgement:

• Handles tasks, noted above, in absence of primary counsel on an independent basis, with limited need for supervision 
• Demonstrated ability to apply good legal judgment in context of assignments 

Teamwork:

• Can interact effectively within the Legal Department and other departments 
• Able to participate in and contribute to departmental working groups and committees and training initiatives 
• Participates in corporate initiatives 

Mentoring:

• Actively promotes effective transfer of knowledge/skills 
• Provides guidance to more junior staff in the Legal Department

Selection Criteria

• Law degree from a recognized university and be admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction  
• A minimum of 3 years of experience working at an international law firm/institution or 4 years working at a local law firm, in each case dealing with cross border transactions     
• Independently, or with little supervision, take on straightforward transactions from start to finish, with the ability to work independently with IOs, external clients, and local counsel
• Demonstrated commitment to core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency and accountability. 
• Ability to advise business teams on standard legal questions 
• Ability to understand complex legal issues in loans and equity and able to articulate arguments and rationale for the same 
• Relevant language skills (according to need) 
• Ability to advise on advisory engagements 
• Ability to handle portfolio work  
• Effective communication and strong interpersonal skills.