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Principal Counsel

World Bank Group See More Job Openings by This Employer

United States

April 21, 2025 Attorney

Job Description

Principal Counsel

Job #:	req32839
Organization:	IFC
Sector:	Legal
Grade:	GH
Term Duration:	3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:	International Recruitment
Location:	Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):	English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:	5/5/2025 (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.

The Legal Department of IFC (CLED), under the Vice President and General Counsel, Legal and Compliance Risk, is responsible for providing 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.

The WBG Evolution Roadmap sets a direction for IFC which emphasizes the ever-increasing importance of private capital mobilization (PCM). It amplifies IFC’s role of catalyzing private sector financial flows through existing mobilization channels and programs. The FIG program is one of the largest contributors of PCM. In FY24, new long-term commitments in financial institutions totaled $16.3 billion, including more than $6.3 billion mobilized from other investors. In addition, FIG Department continues to develop innovative ways to enhance ways to mobilize capital including through capital markets transaction such as securitization of future capital flows, the development of capital release products, and diversified payment mechanisms as well as innovative trade and structured finance solutions. CLED is responding to these corporate priorities by strengthening the resources available to, and the structure of, our FIG and structured finance team. Therefore, we are filling a position of Principal Counsel to be based in Washington DC. The Principal Counsel will be critical to ensuring CLED can support materially increased delivery in respect of massive FIG program and a ramp up of the structured finance solutions across all sectors of IFC’s operations, as well as support the development and roll out of new platforms and programs for both FIG and structured finance. This includes this new Principal Counsel role focusing on thought leadership and innovation in FIG and structured finance space including overseeing the work of the CLED FIG and Structured Finance Practice Group and coordinating with CLED colleagues in the regions working on FIG and structured finance deals to disseminate global knowledge.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The successful candidate will:

• Assume a thought and innovation leadership role in relation to the FIG and structured finance-related activities of IFC, including by providing guidance to IFC and VPU management, individual investment and advisory teams and CLED colleagues working on FIG and structured finance deals.
• Support IFC’s role in WBG FIG and structured finance innovation related efforts as to new initiatives, products or facilities, including the smooth operation of the WBG Guarantee Platform.
• Be a focal point in CLED for providing technical expertise and advice on legal, policy and structuring issues for capital markets and structured finance programs, projects and advisory engagements across regions and sectors.
• Be a focal point for internal clients in FIG and structured finance space and ensure internal client satisfaction and responsiveness to internal and external client needs on FIG and provide thought leadership and strategic advice and support for the design and implementation of new and innovative FIG, MAS and Infra structured finance products, platforms and initiatives across regions.
• Lead the coordination with the Treasury Client Solutions team to deliver innovative, tailored capital market and derivative and structured finance product solutions to IFC clients and to support the development of local capital markets.
• Take leadership and consistently liaise with IFC investment and advisory teams and management to ensure support for their goals and deliverables, including legal support on individual projects.
• Provide legal advice in complex and novel structured finance projects and products, including structuring, documenting, negotiating and portfolio matters and work out ways to transition the expertise to the regions with regional CLED teams.
• Oversee and collaborate with CLED colleagues working on FIG and structured finance-related matters globally and in the regions to ensure they have the expertise and tools necessary to successfully support FIG and structured finance program, projects and initiatives and deliver excellent service to internal and external clients.
• Provide leadership to the CLED FIG and structured finance team, including organizing regular meetings and discussions, encouraging information and knowledge transfer, and having ample opportunities to discuss any legal, policy and structuring issues they encounter, create and facilitate opportunities for growth and increased responsibility for CLED colleagues regularly working on FIG and structured finance matters.
• Create capacity for the support of structured finance both on the CLED level and for industries and business teams more generally at IFC by creating opportunities for new trainings, discussions, etc.
• Closely collaborate with the CLED KM Team (and Automation/AI) to define the KM objectives and onboarding needs and tools for each year, and contributing to the annual KM plan; initiate targeted interventions that promote thought leadership and collaboration with other IFIs or external stakeholders, in accordance with the KM Strategy Work Plan and in coordination with CLED KM leads in HQ and the regions to create and maintain various knowledge management initiatives and tools (including specimens, primers, precedents, FAQs).
• As part of agreed reporting lines, supervise identified legal and non-legal staff.
• Mentor and coach junior legal and business colleagues, provide leadership in designing and delivering trainings as well as sharing knowledge.
• Bolster the visibility of IFC and CLED internally and externally as thought leaders in areas of legal issues and risks in development financing.
• Assume such other responsibilities as necessary.

Selection Criteria

• Graduate or Post-graduate degree in law (J.D, L.L.M., PhD, or equivalent), and must be qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction
• At least 20 years of relevant experience, including experience at an international law firm, international financial institution or development institution.
• Deep understanding of FIG, trade and structured finance products and programs, and demonstrated track record of taking forward thought leadership and innovation in these areas.
• Outstanding knowledge of IFC’s business, policies, practices and procedures.
• Track record at WBG of senior advice to clients on structuring, innovation and policy matters and leadership role in non-project assignments and initiatives and legal subject matters.
• Track record of seeking out opportunities to increase the success of the legal department and to support the growth and progression of legal colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to assume multiple roles and tasks to meet changing business needs with an ability to foresee, troubleshoot and effectively resolve conflicting issues and challenges.
• Convening power, including consensus-building among a range of stakeholders with different perspectives.
• Demonstrated ability to assess risk in a practical manner and make fair, well-reasoned, independent and transparent decisions.
• Client focused, practical, and solutions-oriented.
• Excellent communications skills in English and the capacity to present both written and oral ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively at senior levels.
• Ability to motivate others, support, and convey energy.
• Ability to lead, including when the path is not defined.
• Team player, committed, creative, agile.
• Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities including changing business model.
• Record of professional excellence and thought leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment and to foster effective working relations with clients and colleagues across IFC.
• Ability to oversee and delegate, while remaining involved in a supportive way.
• Contributions to the Department (KM, thought leadership, leadership roles within the department; or successfully leading working groups).
• Emotional intelligence: the ability to perceive and to interact effectively with others, even when under stress.
• Commitment to CLED’s core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency and accountability.

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.

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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