Senior Counsel

Organization: MIGA Sector: Legal Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Department/Division: Legal Affairs and Claims Group (MIGLC) Grade: GG Location: Washington, DC,United States Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Hire Type: Non-Managerial Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): French, Portuguese, Spanish Closing Date: 9/19/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) is a member of the World Bank Group, and our mission is to promote foreign direct investment into developing countries to help end extreme poverty and boost share prosperity. We do that through the provision of political risk insurance and credit enhancement to investors and lenders against losses caused by noncommercial risks. For more information, visit www.miga.org.

The Legal Affairs and Claims Group in MIGA (known as “MIGLC”) serves as the legal counsel for MIGA, and provides legal advice relating to the governance, operations, and other activities of the Agency. Among its principal responsibilities, MIGLC advises MIGA’s Council of Governors, Board of Directors and senior management, negotiates and drafts contracts of guarantee, manages all claims proceedings, facilitates discussions between investors and governments related to disputes and potential claims, oversees outside counsel, supports MIGA’s internal departments in risk and policy analysis, finance and risk management and external outreach, and promotes innovation and knowledge sharing in support of MIGA’s mission.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Senior Counsel will be expected to work on a diversified portfolio of legal issues, across all sectors and geographic areas. The Senior Counsel’s duties and responsibilities are listed below:

• Provide legal advice on guarantee operations, including transaction structures and eligibility under MIGA’s governing documents and other policies.
• As part of a project team, advise on project risks, conduct due diligence to assess risks that affect MIGA’s rights as insurer and as subrogee, contribute to approval documents, negotiate and draft contracts of guarantee and ancillary documents.
• Facilitate discussions between investors and governments related to disputes in projects supported by MIGA and work on claims matters.
• Oversee work of outside counsel, when retained, and manage costs.
• Research and draft memoranda on issues of national and public international law, investment disputes and investor-state arbitration.
• Manage the process of obtaining and/or modifying required host country approval of guarantees.
• Researching and drafting memoranda in connection with institutional, policy and administrative issues, including privileges and immunities, environmental and social standards, membership matters, WBG establishment agreements, sanctions and integrity procedures, information technology, intellectual property, personnel matters, and governance questions.
• As directed by the General Counsel or Chief Counsel, provide ad hoc assistance in respect of legal issues that may arise from time to time.

Selection Criteria

• Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent law degree; qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction. LLM degree is a plus.
• At least 8 years of relevant legal experience since earning law degree, preferably in a law firm, international financial institution or corporation with international business, investment or finance operations. Relevant experience includes working on transactions involving cross-border lending or investment in developing countries; project, asset or corporate finance; complex corporate and financial transactions; political risk, export credit or investment insurance. Experience with trade finance would be a plus.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to assess risk in an objective, practical and responsible manner and provide fair, well-reasoned, independent and transparent advice.
• Demonstrate strong client service orientation and a history of having been able to respond to demands from internal and external clients in a timely fashion and to meet changing business needs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment and high ethical standards. Ability to work in a diverse team.
• Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy within the WBG and with government officials.
• Strong organizational, research, and oral presentation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and ability to draft and negotiate complex legal documents in English.
• Additional language skills desirable (particularly Portuguese, Spanish or French).
• Understanding of the WBG mission and development agenda.
• Willingness to travel.
• References and a writing sample may be required as part of the selection process.

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.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment.