Job 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 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.

LEGES Provides Operational Legal Support To Two Regions

East Asia and the Pacific comprising seven country management units: Papua New Guinea & Pacific Islands; Indonesia and Timor Leste; China, Mongolia & Korea; Vietnam; Cambodia, Lao PDR & Myanmar; Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand & Brunei; as well as Singapore; and

South Asia, which covers eight diverse countries which are grouped into five country management units: Afghanistan; Bangladesh & Bhutan; India; Pakistan; and Sri Lanka, Nepal & Maldives.
The legal support by LEGES is characterized by both real-time presence of lawyers in the field in select country offices and support from lawyers, legal analysts and other staff in Washington, DC.

The selected lawyer will join the Sydney World Bank office and work primarily on the Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands portfolios.

The selected lawyer will be expected to travel to all countries in the areas covered by LEGES, particularly Papua New Guinea & Pacific Islands.

The selected lawyer will work under the immediate supervision of legal counsels in the Bank office in Sydney and Washington DC. Work will primarily support IBRD, IDA and donor trust fund financing of projects, focusing on analysis of project proposals, drafting of necessary contracts, negotiating those contracts, and participating in the supervision of their implementation, all in support of investments in all sectors and work will also include advising country management on operational, institutional and other matters that arise from time to time in the country offices.

Note: Given local law, please note that applicants must have the ability to legally work in Australia to be considered.

The selected candidate will report to the Chief Counsel, LEGES based in Washington DC.

Roles & Responsibilities

The Associate Counsel position requires demonstrated ability to apply rigorous analytical skills, to work harmoniously in a team, and to exercise good judgment.
The level and quality of these skills will be a determining factor in the selection for the position, and references will be given consideration in this determination.

The Associate Counsel Will Be Expected To

• The Associate Counsel will report to the Chief Counsel and day-to-day supervision and guidance will be provided by legal counsels in the field and Washington, DC.
• Conduct legal due diligence for projects to ensure compliance with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s and the International Development Association’s Articles of Agreement and operational policies, and general adequacy of projects’ institutional and other arrangements with the relevant country’s legal framework;
• 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 or any ad hoc tasks as assigned by legal counsels and/or the Chief Counsel.

Selection Criteria
An LL.B. degree, JD degree or equivalent, with two to four years of relevant work experience and qualified to practice law /Bar admission (or equivalent) in at least one jurisdiction is required.
A Masters Degree in law (LLM) is desirable.
Experience in a reputable private sector law firm (especially transactional work) and/ or with an international financial organization is a strong plus.

General Competencies

• Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, analytical and communications skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of at least one Pacific Island Country or Papua New Guinea legal theory and practice, as well as familiarity with the legal system of a Pacific Island Country or Papua New Guinea will be desirable.
• Experience in administrative and contract law, in transactional legal work and/or preparation and negotiation of legal agreements;
• 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; 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.

Other Competencies Required
Deliver Results for Clients: Contributes to delivery of results for clients on complex issues. Sets challenging goals that align with the WBG mission and is always looking to improve. Understands clients’ most pressing challenges and contributes to solutions. Takes personal responsibility for producing high quality work, identifying and informing of risks, and delivering results for clients

Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries: 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. Shares information and frame thinking/actions with a corporate perspective in mind.
Lead and Innovate: Brings new and different insights. Applies critical thinking to current approaches, identifies areas for improvement, and tries new solutions that drive results. Considers own behavior in context of WBG’s values and mission and recognizes impact one has on others. Operates in ambiguity and changing needs and supports others to do the same

Create, Apply and Share Knowledge: Actively contributes to and readily applies WBG’s body of knowledge for internal and/or external client solutions. Contributes to the department’s and WBG’s body of knowledge by applying lessons learned and expertise. Actively invests in own knowledge and seeks feedback. Builds personal and professional networks within and beyond the work group

Make Smart Decisions: Leverages available data and makes timely decisions. Seeks and analyzes facts, data and lessons of past experience to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others’ work.

Applies cost/benefit analysis to meet work program objectives. Contributes to decision making by providing relevant risk-analysis. Shows initiative when necessary, and makes decisions in a timely manner within own area of responsibility.

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.

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