(Senior) Counsel Job #: req33626 Organization: IFC Sector: Legal Grade: GG Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/11/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFCโa member of the World Bank Groupโis 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 in the developing countries. 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 Institution and Risk Governance, is responsible for providing legal and policy advice to the IFC Board, its Management and client departments on operational, advisory and corporate matters. Specifically, CLED supports client departments in (i) the delivery of IFCโs 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 (โUpstreamโ); (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 (PPP), blended finance, third-party debt and equity mobilization and investments in funds, as well as platform products; (iv) advising on corporate policy and operational matters; and (v) knowledgeย ย management and training. To support IFCโs growing activities across regions, sectors and practices CLED is recruiting a Counsel or Senior Counsel, to be based in Washington DC, with a focus on supporting two Legal Practice areas: 1) the Transaction Advisory Department (CTA), comprising PPP Advisory and Corporate Finance Advisory and 2) IFCโs Blended Finance operations. The lawyer will report to the AGC, Legal Practices.ย ย
Roles and Responsibilities
โข ย Support the CTA Department - specifically the PPP Advisory team (both the global team based at HQ and the regional teams) and the Corporate Finance Advisory team - in relation to key legal matters pertaining to their business (e.g., PPP Project design and implementation, asset monetization transactions and sell-side and buy-side corporate finance services.ย This includes working closely with CTA staff and other lawyers and legal analysts in CLED and the Institutional Risk and Governance Department who support mandate-related or operational work of CTA.ย Provide additional support to Upstream and Mainstream advisory services.ย โข ย Support IFCโs Blended Finance operations, in particular the Blended Finance Unit which is responsible for obtaining and deploying IFCโs donor-funded resources in accordance with the terms agreed with the relevant donors as well as IFCโs policies and procedures to make concessional investments alongside IFC own account investments. This includes advising the Blended Finance Unit regarding internal approval procedures and in its negotiations with IFC investment teams and external clients in relation to such concessional investments.โข ย Act as project lawyer on investment transactions, as required.ย โข ย Work with client departments on the design and implementation of Upstream (investment and advisory) projects.โข ย Mentor and coach business colleagues.โข ย Assist in designing and delivering trainings for colleagues in CLED, IFC staff and external.โข ย Advise internal clients on institutional and corporate matters.โข ย Provide general legal advice and support with respect to all aspects of IFCโs business.โข ย Build strong knowledge about legal systems and IFCโs business (including developing subject matter expertise).โข ย Advise on the selection of outside counsel for IFC projects, manage outside counsel and legal costs.
Selection Criteria
โข ย Law degree, plus at least 8-15 years of relevant law firm or in-house corporate and transactional experience, including in several of the following areas: public private partnerships (including advising governments), infrastructure projects and project finance, privatizations, advisory services, blended finance, donor funding, trustee operations.โข ย Proven track record of successfully handling complex corporate and commercial transactions independently, and providing advice to clients on structuring, innovation, and policy matters.โข ย Excellent legal analytical skill, responsiveness, reliability, sound judgment, and a positive work attitude are key requirements for the role.โข ย Willingness to assume multiple roles and tasks to meet changing business needs with an ability to foresee, troubleshoot and effectively resolve conflicting issues and challenges independently.ย โข ย Ability to assess risk in a practical and responsible manner and make fair, well- reasoned, independent and transparent decisions, and escalate appropriately.โข ย Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to deal sensitivity in a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues across the Corporation.โข ย Excellent communications skills in English, ability to present both written and oral ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively.โข ย Willingness to travel on short notice.โข ย Professional integrity and sound judgment in handling confidential information.โข ย Demonstrated commitment to core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency and accountability.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ 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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.