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 the World Bank’s activities. In addition, LEG VPU helps to ensure that all 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) 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 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 FY16 IDA pipeline of USD8.3 billion and IBRD pipeline of USD2.4 billion. The Trust Fund portfolio includes 1,619 active grants worth USD6.5 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 a decentralized LEG position in Dakar, Senegal. The World Bank Country office in Dakar covers 5 Western African countries (AFCE2): Cabo Verde, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal, and is headed by the Country Director. The Counsel will be expected to work closely with the Country Director, as well as Operations Managers and Advisors, Practice Managers and other staff located in the Country office who work on operational, institutional and other matters. The Counsel will work on a number of countries (including the five above-mentioned countries) and will be expected to travel to other countries in the region.
The incumbent will report to the Chief Counsel, LEGAM.
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 3 year term appointment.
Selection Criteria:
Preferred Education/Experience:
JD or LLM degree (preferred) or equivalent, with three to five years of wide-ranging relevant experience, and admission to the Bar (or equivalent) in at least one jurisdiction. Working experience with an international financial institution will be a plus.
Excellence in English and French is required for this position. Ability to work in Portuguese will be desirable.
Required Competencies:
• Legal Drafting, Research and Communication:
Proven ability to draft transactional documentation (e.g., loan agreements), briefs and variety of legal instruments and related documents, with limited supervision. Conducts research as necessary to acquire insight and information. Is aware of the need for precision and focus on quality. Uses a writing style that is clear and precise.
• Bank Legal and Policy Framework:
Has the potential to quickly understand the Bank’s Legal framework, policies and procedures and is assessed as being able to apply them correctly and consistently. Identifies where these policies are not being applied or not being applied as intended and informs the appropriate parties.
• Independence:
Carries out work with due care, preparing accurate documents and reports, ensuring that pertinent facts are fairly presented without seeking to obfuscate (either through too much information or withholding relevant information). Interprets information in an objective manner, exercising professional skepticism when required. Does not divulge or exploit confidential information.
• Professional Maturity:
Understands others and the reasons for their behavior. Takes the time to clarifying others’ points of view so that progress can be made particularly in situations of stress or conflict. Is never condescending. Proven ability to deal sensitively and effectively across organizational boundaries, as a team member, in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues;
• Legal Reasoning:
Breaks down problem into their component parts. Articulates the implications of situations in a step-by-step way. Remains objective when reviewing problems or situations to understand the issues. Makes sure he/she possesses all the facts.
• Deliver Results for Clients:
Adds value by constantly looking for a better way to get more impactful results; sets challenging stretch goals for oneself. Immerses oneself in client experiences and perspective by asking probing questions to understand unmet needs. Demonstrates accountability for achieving results that have a development impact and financial, environmental and social sustainability. Identifies and proposes solutions to mitigate and manage risks.
• Make Smart Decisions:
Seeks diversity of information and inputs, researches possible solutions, and generates recommended options. Identifies and understands risks and proposes recommendations. Based on risk analysis makes decisions in a timely manner within own area of responsibility, considering the interests and concerns of stakeholders.
• Client Orientation:
Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success.
• Flexibility:
Able to adapt strategy, and objectives; making corresponding structural or organizational changes as needed, to move the work forward and meet the needs of the situation.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making:
Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others’ work.
The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
APPLY NOW