World Bank Group Recruiting Currently 2018

Innovation and partnership bond the five institutions of the World Bank Group (WBG): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It uses financial resources and extensive experience to help our client countries to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, and improve quality of life. To ensure that countries can access the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edge knowledge, the World Bank Group is constantly seeking to improve the way it works. Key priorities include delivering measurable results, promoting openness and transparency in development, and improving access to development information and data.

In the context of the World Bank’s broad development agenda, the Legal Vice Presidency (LEG VPU) provides legal services required by the World Bank and plays an active role in all of the World Bank’s activities. In addition, LEG VPU helps to ensure that all of the World Bank’s activities comply with the Institution’s Articles of Agreement, policies and procedures. Organizationally, the LEG VPU includes geographically-based regional Operational Practice Groups devoted to the legal and policy aspects of the World Bank’s lending operations, and Corporate Practice Groups, which provide advice on corporate finance, administrative and institutional matters for the World Bank.

LEGAM provides operational legal support to two regions: (i) Africa, and (ii) the Middle East and North Africa. The World Bank work program in Africa is the largest among the Regions, and it is diverse and complex, reflecting the diversity of the Region. Among its 48 countries, the Africa Region includes a mix of low-income, lower- middle-income, and upper-middle income countries, and several fragile states. The Africa Region represents 27% of the World Bank’s net commitments and 32% of its number of projects. It features an FY18 IDA pipeline of USD15.8 billion and an IBRD pipeline of USD1.6 billion. The Trust Fund portfolio includes 1,519 active grants worth USD5.8 billion.

Recognizing the increasing importance of and demand for legal support for the Africa Region, the Legal Vice-Presidency is seeking a qualified candidate for an Associate Counsel position in Accra, Ghana. The World Bank Country office in Ghana covers, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone and is headed by a Country Director. The Associate Counsel will be expected to work closely with the Senior Counsel based in Ghana, as well as other Counsels based in Washington, D.C. who work on operations in the Region. The Associate Counsel will also work with other staff located in Country offices and in Washington, D.C. who work on operational, institutional and other matters. The Associate Counsel will work on a number of countries (including the above-mentioned countries) and will be expected to work on and travel to other countries in the region, including French speaking West African countries.

Job Description

Job Title: Associate Counsel

The Associate Counsel will report to the Chief Counsel, LEGAM based in Washington, D.C.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

Duties And Accountabilities

The Associate Counsel will assist the Senior Counsel(s) in providing legal services to project teams and Country Management Units. In this context, the Associate Counsel, under the supervision of the Senior Counsel, will:

• Draft and negotiate agreements (e.g., Loan, Financing and Grant Agreements, Guarantee Agreements, and Project Agreements);

• Prepare and/or review subsidiary agreements and other on-lending and on-granting agreements, and legal opinions, and recommend appropriate changes;

• Carry out portfolio management, including drafting amendments and other project-related legal documents;

• Advise project teams on World Bank policies and procedures;

• Prepare legal memoranda on pertinent legal issues, including on matters related to local law (at the national and sub-national levels) and international law;

• Participate in identification, preparation, appraisal and supervision missions with project teams and attend any other operational meetings;

• Provide guidance to Administrative Client Support staff and/or paralegals on processing of project documentation;

• Assist with legal and judicial reform work, if any (including analysis of local legislation, judicial system, etc.); and

• Carry out any other complementary duties assigned by the Senior Counsel(s) and/or the Regional Chief Counsel.

Selection Criteria

At minimum, an LL.B. degree or equivalent and qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction. A Master’s degree in law is desirable.

• Minimum 3 years’ experience involving legal research, contract drafting and/or other relevant legal experience;

• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical and communications skills;

• Excellent interpersonal skills;

• Familiarity in the use of varied legal research sources (including electronic sources in the internet) and other databases;

• Fully proficient in computer skills, particularly in using word processing software, information databases, internet services, and library sources;

• Ability to work well as a team member in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment;

• Ability to work under time pressure and to juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines;

• Experience in administrative and contract law, and preparation and negotiation of project-related legal agreements a plus; and

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required, as well as excellent English language drafting skills. Applicants will be asked to undertake a drafting exercise as part of the selection process.

• Fluency in written and spoken French is highly desired.

Qualified male and female candidates of diverse background (e.g. gender, religious, ethnic) are encouraged to apply.