Lead Counsel

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Counsel will join the Legal Affairs and Claims Group (MIGLC) at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of the World Bank Group. MIGLC serves as legal counsel for MIGA and the WBG Guarantee Platform and provides legal advice to IBRD/IDA, IFC, and MIGA in relation to guarantee operations. The group advises institutional leadership and staff, negotiates and drafts guarantee contracts, manages claims, supports dispute discussions, oversees outside counsel, and contributes to risk and policy analysis, finance, outreach, innovation, and knowledge sharing. Reporting to the Chief Counsel, the Lead Counsel will provide legal solutions and expertise for MIGA guarantee operations across geographic regions and technical sectors. Under the Chief Counsel’s guidance, the role leads legal work on MIGA guarantees, including reviewing and clearing documentation, liaising with internal stakeholders, structuring transactions, drafting and negotiating legal documents, advising on policy, troubleshooting, and innovating across MIGA guarantee instruments and products. The Lead Counsel also leads knowledge management and dissemination for MIGA guarantees. The position calls for a seasoned legal professional with rigorous technical skills, sound judgment, leadership ability, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small team. The role includes providing expert guidance to staff and operational teams, supporting policy and transaction work, contributing to guarantee product innovation, and handling a limited number of individual MIGA guarantee transactions. The position is open to WBG and IMF staff only, including short-term and extended-term consultants or temporaries; external candidates will not be considered.

Requirements

At least 12 years of legal experience in the specified areas, in addition to a J.D., LL.B., LL.M., or equivalent degree.
Admission to the Bar, or equivalent qualification, in at least one jurisdiction.
Demonstrated expertise in project finance, corporate finance, and structured finance, with a successful track record structuring, drafting, negotiating, and delivering transactions supporting long-term infrastructure investment in emerging markets.
Strong track record in MIGA guarantee operations and expert knowledge of MIGA guarantee policies, procedures, and institutional history.
Established record of developing innovative and creative solutions to problems.
Experience preparing and updating model documentation for MIGA guarantees.
Strong client-service orientation and ability to manage multiple concurrent transactions on tight timelines in a changing business environment.
Ability to build strategic relationships and communicate effectively with internal clients and key stakeholders to resolve transactional, policy, and institutional issues.
Outstanding professional judgment, including the ability to identify issues requiring escalation to a Chief Counsel or the General Counsel.
Ability to collaborate in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and high ethical standards.
Ability to communicate effectively, tactfully, and diplomatically with WBG colleagues and external stakeholders, including government officials.
Fluency and excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Understanding of the WBG mission and development agenda.
Willingness to travel.
Applicants must be WBG or IMF staff, including short-term and extended-term consultants or temporaries; external candidates are not eligible.

Nice To Haves

Experience in energy, transport (rail, ports, or airports), water, or wastewater sectors.
Fluency in French or Spanish.
Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent contexts.
Ability to responsibly use digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice and recommendations to management and staff on legal, eligibility, structuring, transactional, and policy aspects of actual or proposed MIGA guarantee transactions.
Lead timely legal delivery for MIGA guarantee projects, including drafting, reviewing, clearing, negotiating, and finalizing internal approvals and legal agreements, and provide guidance to MIGLC lawyers.
Lead legal support for operational staff on guarantee projects and programs, including reviewing documentation for compliance with MIGA’s Convention and MIGA and WBG policies and procedures, researching precedents, and developing risk-management and mitigation solutions.
Identify solutions to legal and operational policy issues and engage in policy discussions and negotiations with WBG clients and stakeholders, private-sector clients, government officials, and international financial institutions.
Participate in approval meetings, guide MIGLC staff, troubleshoot operational and policy issues, and join operational missions as needed.
Serve as a thought leader on innovation for MIGA guarantee products, including joint WBG guarantee products.
Advise on MIGA-administered trust funds and IDA PSW for individual guarantee projects and institutional arrangements and documentation.
Support MIGA’s portfolio team on active guarantees and work with the Chief Counsel for Claims Management on pre-claim and claim matters.
Draft and review policy and procedure documents for MIGA guarantee operations.
Prepare legal briefs, instructions, and guidance notes for MIGA staff as required.
Prepare, review, and update templates for MIGA guarantee operations and other legal documentation.
Promote WBG interests and protect against reputational risks.
Share best practices with MIGLC colleagues, MIGA and WBG operational staff, and member countries; organize and participate in learning events on MIGA guarantees.
Demonstrate technical excellence and best practices by handling a limited number of individual MIGA guarantee transactions.
Perform other duties as requested by a Chief Counsel or the General Counsel.