Chief Counsel

Chief Counsel

Job #:

req20918

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Legal

Grade:

GH

Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

2/7/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Doyou want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World BankGroup provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve theirgreatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largestsources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique globalpartnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty,increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189member countries and more than 100 offices worldwide, we work with public andprivate sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data,research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent globalchallenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

Legal Vice Presidency. Inthe context of the World Bank's broad development agenda, the Legal VicePresidency (LEG), under the Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel, isresponsible for providing legal advice and support to internal and externalBank clients on operational, advisory, financial, administration, andinstitutional matters.

LEGAM provides operational legal support to three regions: (i)East and Southern Africa (AFE); (ii) West and Central Africa (AFW) and (ii)Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Both Africa Regions (AFE and AFW) and MENAinclude a mix of low-income, lower- middle-income, and upper-middle incomecountries, and several fragile states. The World Bank work program acrossAfrica is the largest among all the Regions. The AFE, AFW and MENA Regionstogether represent 38% of the World Bank's net commitments and 41% of itsnumber of projects in addition to a robust and complex trust fund portfolio.

Chief Counsel, LEGAM. The Chief Counsel, LEGAM being advertised will be responsible forleading LEG's support to the Bank's operational programs in East and CentralAfrica (AFE), part of West and Central Africa (AFW) and Regional Operationsacross Africa ("Bank Operations"). The LEGAM Unit is managed by two ChiefCounsels, the second of whom covers Middle East and North Africa (MENA) andpart of AFW, and together they are responsible for managing the LEGAM unit andcollaborating with other Practice Groups within LEG such as the Environment andInternational Law Unit (LEGEN), the Legal Operations Policy Unit (LEGOP), LegalDevelopment Finance (LEGDF), Legal Finance (LEGFI), Legal InstitutionalAdministration (LEGIA) and other Regional Operations groups and staff, in providingadvice on legal and policy issues in World Bank-financed operations.

The Chief Counsel, LEGAM will report directly to the Deputy General Counsel(DGC) Operations and will serve as a core member of LEG's Management Team under the general supervision of the Senior VicePresident and Group General Counsel.

Responsibilitiesand Accountabilities

Responsible for the overall provision of legal services, support, guidance andadvice to all Bank Operations in the areas under his/her purview in AFE and AFW;

- Responsible for the provision by LEGAM staff of effective, efficient, timely and practical legal advice and services to Bank Operations, including the organization and management of LEGAM staff with responsibility for acquiring, cultivating and maintaining a deep understanding of country and regional strategies, objectives and priorities in order to best provide legal support;

- Supporting, coaching, mentoring and guiding staff in their individual and collective (team) performance of their responsibilities, and overseeing the planning and performance of their responsibilities; including knowledge dissemination, knowledge-sharing, thought leadership and training across the regions served by LEGAM, and staff of LEGAM, in collaboration with IFC and MIGA staff, as appropriate;

- Working together with the DGC Operations and other LEG Chief Counsels and staff across LEG, to provide advice to the General Counsel and Senior Management as appropriate, on Policies, Directives, Procedures and Guidance - both generally and in their application in Bank Operations or as they affect the Bank Group - from a legal perspective and from the practically useful, solutions-oriented perspectives gained from years of experience and judgment;

- Under the guidance of the DGC Operations and in coordination with others in LEG Management, providing intellectual and strategic leadership and advice to the General Counsel and the LEG Management team on all matters relevant to LEG functions within the Bank Group, including matters relating to the responsibilities of LEG and matters relating to any support or advice that LEG may provide to others across the Bank Group;

- Leading consultations and negotiations and representing LEG in the international community on operational matters as designated by the DGC Operations and/or the General Counsel;

- Ensure effective legal support to operational clients, as well as the integrity and accuracy of financing documentation (Board packages) to be sent to the Board for approval;

- Represent LEG in Senior Management meetings on operational matters in the absence of the DGC Operations;

- Fulfilling all of the above and leading the team by example with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset and approach and instilling that approach and values in others; and

- Such other or different responsibilities and functions as may be specified from time to time by the DGC Operations and the General Counsel.

Selection Criteria

* Professional qualifications must include JD, LL.M, SJD or equivalent and admission to the Bar (or equivalent);

* At least 12 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience;

* Expertise and knowledge of World Bank Group and International Financial Institutions preferred; in-depth knowledge and experience with World Bank Group operations will be an advantage as will experience working in a country office environment;

* Proven ability to provide leadership on a wide variety of Bank operational matters combined with a record of intellectual leadership and accomplishments that demonstrated an ability to provide the Institution, LEG Management and internal and external clients with technically excellent, innovative, timely and practical advice and solutions to meet the needs of the Bank's strategic and operational priorities and particular transactions, and to resolve highly complex legal issues;

* Demonstrated strategic planning skills, in-depth understanding of legal and relevant Bank operational and other policies and risks, and capacity to guide development of policies and strategies;

* Exceptional leadership skills, including leading transformative change, and highly developed coaching, mentoring and advisory skills, as well as the ability to ensure effective transfer of knowledge and experience across a large, diverse and complex organization;

* Proven track record of building and managing teams, achieving mutually supportive, a team-oriented mindset across a large unit, and creating an enabling work environment that delivers results;

* Proven ability to effectively work with colleagues and integrate the work of multiple business units covering diverse activities; and

* Receptivity to feedback and constructive criticism; outstanding written and verbal communications skills.

Values,Leadership and Managerial Competencies

- Demonstrated commitment to the World Bank Core Values for WBG and a proven track record of fostering a strong and healthy culture of diversity, inclusion, teamwork, honesty, trust, openness, integrity, and accountability;

- Demonstrated ability to be sensitive to issues around race, gender, ethnicity, inclusion, and intersectionality;

- Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire staff to perform and deliver for better results; help others achieve their fullest potential through coaching and mentorship and ensure that they are appropriately acknowledged for their accomplishments;

- Exceptional people management skills and ability and experience in leading teams with a diverse range of skills and experience;

- Demonstrated commitment to the Bank's mission, and ability to work towards WBG's corporate targets for successful outcomes;

- A strong results-oriented mindset;

- Ability to take informed risks and make tough decisions in a timely and transparent manner resulting in transformative impact for clients;

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.