Senior Counsel
| Job #: | req33548 |
| Organization: | IFC |
| Sector: | Legal |
| Grade: | GG |
| Term Duration: | 3 years 0 months |
| Recruitment Type: | International Recruitment |
| Location: | Washington, DC,United States |
| Required Language(s): | English |
| Preferred Language(s): | |
| Closing Date: | 7/2/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) 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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
The Legal Department of IFC (CLED), under the Vice President and General Counsel, Legal and Compliance Risk, provides legal and policy advice to the IFC Board, its Management, and client departments on operational, advisory, and corporate matters. 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 and 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.
CLED is recruiting a qualified Senior Counsel, to be based in Washington, DC., to focus on advising and supporting it on legal matters related to general litigation and international arbitration.
Duties and Accountabilities
• Provide advice and support to IFC in all matters related to litigation and dispute resolution mechanisms, including policy, procedures, strategies, and case management;
• Assume responsibilities related to developing and implementing litigation preparedness and risk management recommendations, including supporting data bases, case management, and other systemic recommendations;
• Assist with assessing and enhancing litigation risk management systems and procedures as appropriate;
• Assume responsibility for representing IFC on any litigation or dispute matters that arise, including in the context of lawsuits by or against IFC, contentious matters, workouts, or dispute resolution;
• Advising on institutional immunities in the context of disputes;
• Provide advice and support on matters related to the litigation arising from IFC operations and policy compliance, including:
o supporting staff in developing responses to complaints and disputes, and advising on communications with internal and external stakeholders;
o coordinating with the operations, credit risk, environmental and social safeguards departments, and investment and advisory clients, and supporting IFC management in such regard;
• Draft and review complaints, motions, memoranda, and other advocacy and analytical documents in litigation and dispute cases;
• Conduct research of relevant case law and policies, and experiences of IFC and other development and financial organizations; analyze case law and relevant data, and construct and present arguments based thereon in a clear and persuasive manner;
• Provide advice and support to the Special Operations department, with a focus in the areas of debt rescheduling, restructurings and workouts, bankruptcy and insolvency, and litigation risk generally;
• Advise business colleagues on the selection of outside counsel, structuring the engagement of outside counsel, and managing outside counsel and legal costs, as appropriate;
• Design and advise on knowledge-sharing to expand knowledge, experience, and best practices in litigation risk and litigation management, including knowledge arising from lessons learnt from doing business in the areas mentioned above and effectively sharing this knowledge to continually improve CLED’s preparedness and litigation management;
• Develop training for legal, operations, credit risk, and portfolio staff on litigation preparedness, response and advice on documentation, litigation risk, and strategies.
Selection Criteria
• Graduate or Post-graduate degree in law (J.D, L.L.M., PhD, or equivalent), and qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; at least 15 years’ experience practicing law with demonstrated work experience in litigation and dispute resolution, and with a preference for some experience in restructuring, bankruptcy and insolvency in cross border transactions with a recognized national or international law firm and/or a major financial institution or an international financial institution or bilateral development institution; legal expertise in the US, including private law practice and experience with complex litigation cases, is a plus;
• Excellent oral and written English speaking and writing capabilities are required;
• Proven ability to draft relevant documentation meeting the highest standards, including briefs, policy, and compliance-related documents and memoranda, with limited supervision. Ability to conduct research as necessary to acquire insight and information and to support analyses and conclusions. Is aware of the need for precision and excellence;
• Potential to quickly understand IFC's role and environmental and social policies and procedures, and financing and investment transactions, structures and disputes arising from them;
• Proven ability to deal sensitively and effectively across organizational boundaries, as a team member, in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues;
• Ability to adds value by constantly looking for a better way to get more impactful results; to set ambitious goals for oneself. Ability to demonstrate accountability for achieving results that have a development impact and financial, environmental and social sustainability.;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to deal with sensitivity in a multicultural environment and to build effective working relations with clients and colleagues across IFC;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Willingness to travel;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with quick turnaround expectations;
• Demonstrates commitment to core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency and accountability
• Appropriately and collaboratively 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;
• Contributes new insights to understand situations and develops solutions to resolve complex problems. Adapts as circumstances require and manages impact of own behavior on others in context of WBG’s values and mission. Identifies and pursues innovative approaches to resolve issues;
• Leverages department’s expertise and body of knowledge across WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions. Seeks to learn from more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and helps others to learn. Builds personal and professional networks inside and outside the department;
• Professional integrity and sound judgment, including the handling confidential information.
The length and nature of professional experience both at and prior to IFC is also taken into consideration.
Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.
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.
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