World Bank seeks to recruit an associate counsel – Accra, Ghana
| Job #: | req1473 |
| Organization: | World Bank |
| Sector: | Legal |
| Grade: | GE |
| Term Duration: | 2 years 0 months |
| Recruitment Type: | Local Recruitment |
| Required Language(s): | English and French |
| Preferred Language(s): | Portuguese |
| Closing Date: | 1/11/2019 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC |
Description
About the World Bank Group :
Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2018, the WBG committed $67 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $24 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188-member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally.
The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions and thirteen Global Practices to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.
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 theSenior 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.
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 drafting skills. Applicants will be asked to undertake a drafting exercise as part of the selection process ;
- Fluency in written and spoken French is required, as well as excellent drafting skills.
Note : Candidates who applied for this vacancy (#180062) in February 2018 need not reapply.
The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.