Manager, Legal

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record US$71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries (including mobilized funds), leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. The Legal Department of IFC (CLED) provides legal and policy advice to the IFC Board, its Management and client departments on operational, policy, advisory, and corporate matters. CLED supports client departments as well as private sector teams within the Knowledge Bank (global knowledge compact of the WBG) in: (i) The delivery of IFC’s annual program of financing private sector projects in emerging markets, advisory services; as well as early-stage engagements and pre-investment project development work to identify opportunities for private sector investments and creating markets (“Upstream”); (ii) Legal and policy aspects of environmental and social (E&S) matters including handling of high-risk E&S projects, the update of the Sustainability Framework (SF) and related policy matters, the integration of the WBG Independent Accountability Mechanisms and CAO-related matters and cases; (iii) Project portfolio management (including jeopardy projects and projects in litigation); (iv) The delivery and design of structured finance products, sub-national lending, equity and quasi-equity and public-private partnerships, and investments in funds, as well as platform products; (v) Advising on corporate policy and operational matters; (vi) Knowledge management including working with the integrated private sector “scaling and solutions” teams in relevant verticals of the Knowledge Bank; and (vii) Training, including designing training solutions to address the needs of investment and policy teams across client industries and WBG Knowledge Bank “scaling and solutions” and E&S function. The Legal Department is overseen by 2 Deputy General Counsels (DGCs) who report to the Vice President & General Counsel. There are 6 managers or Assistant General Counsels that report to the DGCs and are responsible for the supervision of lawyers and general administration of the Legal Department. Given a recent vacancy in the position, IFC’s Legal Department is seeking to recruit a Manager/AGC to oversee E&S matters and Global Industries and Upstream (Investment). The Manager will oversee the following areas: - Global Industries (Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services, Financial Institutions Group, Trade Finance) as these have been integrated in the “scaling and solutions” teams of the Knowledge Bank working on private sector engagements. Responsible lawyers mainly support global teams based in DC and integrated into Knowledge Bank as well as projects with teams based in the regions with investments in these sectors. - Upstream (Investment). - E&S matters and support for the new global WBG ‘maker’ and ‘checker’ functions, including CAO cases, review of the SF update and integration of the WBG Independent Accountability Mechanisms. The Manager will be based in Washington D.C. and will report to a Deputy General Counsel.

Requirements

JD or equivalent law degree and a minimum of 15 years relevant work experience including private sector investments in emerging markets and policy related work;
Outstanding hands-on knowledge of IFC’s business, operations, policies, practices, and procedures including without limitation E&S policies.
In-depth understanding of the non-financial risks in IFC’s business and operations and record of excellence in working with the policies governing E&S and non-financial risk issues.
Track record of leading complex policy work streams and crafting policy approaches and practical solutions to institutional approaches to remedies, contractual leverage, E&S policies and potential non-financial risks associated with the above.
Track record of establishing efficient partnerships with client teams and leading institutional policy workstreams.
Record of proven ability to present complex legal and policy issues at the Board including for joint IFC/WB policy matters.
Track record of leading legal aspects of complex projects working with IFC business teams, WBG institutions and other lenders and mobilization partners.
Record of professional excellence and thought leadership in the relevant sectors and subject matters.
Ability to influence and resolve differences across boundaries and track record of leading or playing a pivotal role in implementing strategic priorities, working with other departments/institutions.
Demonstrated willingness and ability to carry out departmental and people management responsibilities and to address policy issues.
Demonstrated skills leading and working across teams, developing, coaching, and mentoring staff and providing effective feedback; ability to grow teams and manage multiple work streams with diverse teams.
Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with challenging clients in high visibility settings and with short turnaround times.
Demonstrated ability to respond to immediate competing demands and willingness to be flexible around addressing pressing requests on flexible schedule and outside regular working hours as required.
Demonstrated ability to forge pragmatic solutions among competing concerns and needs and for multiple workstreams at play.
Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Sound judgment, ability, and willingness to take appropriate risks, make decisions and take responsibility for them.
Tact, diplomacy and discretion to foster strong relationships with diverse constituencies.
Demonstrated ability to set strategic direction and ensure implementation.
Demonstrated commitment to values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and teamwork.
Meet WBG managerial selection criteria, including courage of your convictions, leading the team for impact, influencing across boundaries, fostering openness to new ideas, and building talent for the future.

Nice To Haves

English (Required Language)

Responsibilities

Managing a team of lawyers, legal assistants/analysts and support staff.
Primary supervision of lawyers working in Global Industries as these have been integrated into the Knowledge Bank, Upstream (Investment) and E&S matters (including oversight of CAO cases, active participation in the working groups in charge of the Sustainability Framework update, review of policy documents and briefings submitted to CODE and Board related to E&S policy issues, including SF update, CAO cases, remedial action and responsible exit as well as policy discussions on the integration of the WBG IAMs, oversight of policy issues related to confidentiality and disclosure of information as part of CAO cases (including assessment of litigation risk related to non-financial risks identified) and oversight of E&S issues arising on deals or in interaction with other DFIs, lenders or investors or Blended Finance partners .
Ensuring the provision of timely and high-quality legal services and advice to client departments for the above sectors and subject matters.
Monitoring legal and policy issues arising in the above sectors and subject matters and presenting such issues for discussion and resolution by the management team, as needed.
Managing relationships with business counterparts for the above sectors and subject matters.
Developing and implementing processes and procedures to ensure adequate awareness of legal and business risks in the above sectors and subject matters.
Providing the Vice President and General Counsel (VP&GC) and the Deputy General Counsels (DGCs) with a single point of contact on issues arising in the above sectors and subject matters.
Working with AGCs in the regions to coordinate assignment of projects and handling of high-risk E&S matters.
As appropriate, coordinating with counterparts in IBRD/IDA and MIGA legal departments and sharing knowledge on policy or operational issues.
Actively participating in the day-to-day management of the Legal Department and the setting of its strategic goals, and communicating those goals to members of the department
Assisting the VP&GC and DGCs in administrative and personnel matters and other matters related to CLED operations.
Assisting the VP&GC and DGCs in the provision of general legal and policy advice to the Corporation.
Representing the VP&GC and DGCs at meetings of Board committees and acting on behalf of VP&GC and DGCs as necessary.
Assisting in the implementation of departmental or corporate initiatives.
Fostering team building and knowledge-sharing within the Legal Department.
Identifying staffing and hiring needs and managing recruitment and onboarding of staff to fill identified needs
Monitoring workflow, volume of work deliverables and the delivery of work of direct reports
Facilitating staff development by mentoring and coaching staff members and assisting them in outlining their professional development goals; identifying any need for “on the job training” and monitoring the same
Ensuring the efficient and fair assignment of project, departmental and corporate work to lawyers and legal assistants (in conjunction with regional legal managers and industry leads).
Coordinating with other AGCs and relevant Global Lead Counsel on assignments and obtaining timely performance feedback
Providing ongoing informal and formal feedback to direct reports and ensuring direct reports who are primary supervisors provide similar feedback to those they supervise