Chief Counsel

Chief Counsel Job #: req34984 Organization: World Bank Sector: Legal Grade: GH Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 12/1/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.  For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
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.Legal Vice Presidency. In the context of the World Bank's broad development agenda, the Legal Vice Presidency (LEG), under the Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel (SVP-GC), is responsible for providing legal advice and support to internal and external Bank clients on operational, advisory, financial, administration, and institutional matters.
Practice Group Context:
The Environmental and International Law Practice Group (LEGEN) provides support to internal and external Bank clients to address legal dimensions of environmentally and socially sustainable development, and to manage associated legal risks to the institution. LEGEN's work program includes providing legal advice and services to the Bank's Regions, Verticals, Corporate Units among others, particularly those whose work relates to sustainable development and the operational aspects of national law and international law in Bank-financed projects, including the management of environmental and social risks; knowledge creation and advice on international good practice; and development and application of policies and procedures relating to environmental, natural resources and international law as well as responding to complaints that go to the World Bank Accountability Mechanism and the Grievance Redress Service. Other matters that the Practice Group covers include the legal aspects of environment and natural resource, issues related to climate change and carbon markets, land tenure and planning, forestry, mining, agriculture and irrigation, ecosystem services, industrial pollution, international waters and water resource management, as well as social issues such as labor, occupational health and safety, supply chains, treatment of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, and human security, discrimination, gender, involuntary resettlement and Indigenous Peoples. LEGEN advises the teams under the Director for E&S Policy and Operations (“Chief Maker”) who oversee World Bank Group Policies, WBG Systems and Learning, WBG Global Experts as well as the complaints intake and resolution; as well as the teams under the WBG Director for E&S Risk  (“Chief Checker”) who will oversee the vetting of systems and tools for E&S risk assessment, E&S project risk ratings, portfolio oversight using a risk-based approach, post-completion/closure project oversight as well as sign-off on policy changes. Among other functions, LEGEN leads by providing advice on the implementation of the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including inter alia, co-leading the development of guidance material, participating in staff training and borrower capacity building, assisting in the assessment of borrower systems, and building in-house legal expertise to address risks associated with new social and environmental issues that are covered by the ESF. In addition, LEGEN provides legal advice to the Climate Change Group on climate change law and policy, Paris Alignment, CCDRs as well as providing the transactional legal expertise needed for the Bank's Carbon Markets engagements.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
The Chief Counsel will be under the direct supervision of the Deputy General Counsel, Environmental and Social Risk Management. She/he will be accountable for performing the responsibilities, modeling behaviors and maintaining his or her practice group's technical competencies in his or her capacity as a member of the Legal Department's Management Team. Accountability means being answerable for managing quality, risks, results, institutional initiatives, and compliance with Bank policies and procedures. The Chief Counsel is furthermore accountable for the delivery of the assigned work program.
She/he will also have strong technical competencies in the subject areas of environmental and social safeguards, climate change and comparative and international environmental and natural resources law. She/he will play a key role assisting with and providing advice on the Bank's portfolio of projects which raise environmental and social safeguard policy issues, and in identifying and advising on high-risk projects. These include projects that are the subject of review by the World Bank Inspection Panel and helping coordinate Management's response to these matters.
Specific duties and accountabilities include:
•   Under the guidance of the Deputy General Counsel, E&S, lead LEGEN in carrying out its functions and mandate as described above (see Practice Group Context).•   Serve as principal legal adviser to OPCS, Climate Change Group, as well as the Planet Vertical teams on issues related to environmental and natural resources law, international law and Bank requirements related to the management of environmental and social risks. Assist client groups in developing and executing their strategies and agenda related to the legal aspects of their work.•   Serve as Legal Advisor on World Bank Environmental and Social Policies. In close collaboration with the DGC for E&S, the Chief Counsel, LEGEN, will help establish and advise on the development and implementation of World Bank environmental and social policies, both the existing World Bank \"safeguard\" policies as well as the new Environmental and Social Framework, along with its Standards, Procedures and Guidance. This advisory work will take place at both the corporate and operational level. Advice will also involve the Bank's application of the use of borrower frameworks.•   Act as a resource for LEG on issues relating to management of environmental and social risks. The Chief Counsel and LEGEN staff will help ensure the development of a consistent and sound LEG position on significant issues relating to the application of Bank policies related to environmental and social issues in special or high-risk projects. S/he may also be expected to join some task teams.•   Assist in building the capacity of Bank borrowers to deal with environmental and social law and safeguard issues.•   The Chief Counsel will support efforts by Bank borrowers in understanding and applying the Bank's environmental and social policies. In addition, the Chief Counsel will advise Borrowers on the development of relevant aspects of their legal framework.•   People/Talent Management accountabilities. Manages LEGEN's staff, including enabling staff to effectively carry out the assigned work program and actively promoting career development opportunities. Manages and oversees the engagement of technical consultants.•   Resource Management accountabilities. Effectively manages the budget of the Practice Group in a resource-constrained environment; ensures effective formulation of the unit's budget proposal, input into budget decisions and managing the unit's financial resources effectively and efficiently.•   Relationship Management accountabilities (internal and external). Provides ongoing representation of the Bank and outreach to key stakeholders. Keeps the practice group abreast of key stakeholder dialogue. Coordinates and collaborates in the field with other development partners to further the aid effectiveness agenda.•   Represents the Practice Group at public and professional fora to help and promote the practice group's and LEG's leadership position.•   Knowledge Management accountabilities. Disseminates best practices and lessons learned. Manages the learning and knowledge flows in the practice group and supports implementation of VPU-wide knowledge initiatives.•   Contributes to LEG strategic priorities and issues beyond the scope of the practice group, actively participates in the development and implementation of LEG new Business Model.•   Under the guidance of, and in partnership with, the Deputy General Counsel, E&S, lead the implementation of a framework for quality control of legal-specific E&S products and services. •   Fulfilling all of the above and leading by example with a collaborative, team-oriented, Bank-first, mindset and approach and instilling that approach and values in others. •   Such other or different responsibilities and functions as may be specified from time to time by the General Counsel.

Selection Criteria

•   A Law degree (JD, LLB, LLM, Ph.D, SJD or equivalent) and admitted/qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction•   At least 12 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience. •   Prior work experience in achieving results on the ground. In-depth expertise on the subject matter areas within LEGEN's responsibilities.•   Experience in more than one world region (including both pre-Bank and Bank experience) would be highly desirable.•   Sound and proven operational experience, including thorough knowledge of Bank Group policies, programs, procedures and practices applicable to loans and grants.•   Intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives including an understanding of and familiarity with the complex aspects of the position.•   Outstanding interpersonal, diplomatic and partnership skills required for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with senior government officials, partners and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.•   Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely. •   Superior level of resourcefulness, ability to work with considerable autonomy as well as willingness to work under pressure and through the whole spectrum of activities from the strategic level to the resolution of specific implementation issues. •   Proven ability to work in a collaborative environment with team members and across organizational boundaries.•   Prior experience acting as sounding board/advisor for colleagues across the organization, guiding others with relevant on-the-job training and development opportunities.•   Prior experience in managing people, budget processes in an open and collegial way would be an advantage.•   Fluency in English, both written and oral, is required, with competency in French and/or Spanish to be considered an advantage.
Competencies:
For Supervisory or Managerial Job:
•   Values, Leadership and Managerial Competencies•   Demonstrated commitment to the World Bank Core Values for WBG and a proven track record of fostering a strong and healthy culture of diversity, inclusion, teamwork, honesty, trust, openness, integrity, and accountability.•   Demonstrated ability to be sensitive to issues around race, gender, ethnicity, inclusion, and intersectionality.•   Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire staff to perform and deliver for better results; help others achieve their fullest potential through coaching and mentorship and ensure that they are appropriately acknowledged for their accomplishments.•   Demonstrated commitment to the Bank’s mission, and ability to work towards WBG's corporate targets for successful outcomes.•   A strong results-oriented mindset. •   Ability to take informed risks and make tough decisions in a timely and transparent manner resulting in transformative impact for clients.•   World Bank Managerial Competencies.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for 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 the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.