(Senior) Dispute Resolution Specialist

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works 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. The International Finance Corporation (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 $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Requirements

MBA/Masters in a relevant field including law, social sciences, psychology, economics.
8–15 years of relevant mediation experience required.
Experience in mediating complex social and environmental disputes with multiple stakeholders from different cultural and economic backgrounds.
Demonstrate wide knowledge in mediation and conflict resolution.
Experience in collaboratively designing conflict management and resolution strategies.
Able to work effectively in highly sensitive cross-cultural and politically charged environments.
Experience in and ability to manage people and financial resources.
Strong capacity for innovative and critical thinking with a track record of successful strategic initiatives.
Comfortable working in a pressured environment with issues of ethics and integrity at the forefront of work.
Creative and lateral thinker who works well alone and as part of a team.
Problem solver who is proficient in utilizing analytical tools to support decision making.
Demonstrated ability to build, maintain, and leverage productive relationships with senior officials, Board members, clients, governments, communities, and peer institutions across diverse cultural and political contexts, and to engage effectively with high-level stakeholders on sensitive issues.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and writing skills, including the ability to clearly articulate, influence, and defend recommendations with senior management, the Board, external stakeholders, and diverse audiences.
Excellent project and case management skills, including strategic planning, budgeting, consultant oversight, risk management, implementation tracking, quality assurance, and the successful delivery of complex multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to independently analyze complex and ambiguous situations, develop conceptual and risk assessment frameworks, evaluate analytical work performed by others, synthesize findings, and translate analysis into actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate and co-mediate complex negotiations, identify hidden barriers to resolution, address competing interests, break deadlocks, and develop innovative approaches to dispute resolution.
Demonstrated ability to maintain objectivity and effectiveness in emotionally charged environments; recognize and respond constructively to emotional dynamics; de-escalate conflict and support others in managing challenging interpersonal situations.
Deep knowledge of the CAO mandate, IFC/MIGA operational context, accountability mechanisms, environmental and social frameworks, and international dispute resolution practices.
Demonstrated behaviors aligned with the World Bank Group Core Competencies, including Deliver Results for Clients, Collaborate Across Boundaries, Lead and Innovate, Create, Apply and Share Knowledge, and Make Smart Decisions.

Responsibilities

Manage complex dispute resolution cases arising from environmental or social impacts from IFC/MIGA projects in accordance with the IFC/MIGA Independent Accountability Mechanism (CAO) Policy.
Provide leadership and strategic direction for case management, including conducting conflict and risk analysis and designing the process for mediation of cases.
Manage case budgets, selection and appointment of consultants, and stakeholder engagement.
Actively support, coach, advise, mentor and guide staff and consultants in case management and learning.
Manage non-case related projects as assigned by the Head of the Dispute Resolution Team.
Contribute to the strategic formulation and the vision for the DR unit and the development of DR processes and policies.
Manage communication related to cases, including report writing.
Contribute to the creation and delivery of knowledge products, methodologies, and trigger knowledge activities across the team to support the adoption of new approaches and best practices.
Promote the development of culturally sensitive approaches to problem-solving and dispute resolution.
Engage with the Board, private sector, governments, communities and IFC and MIGA personnel.
Promote and facilitate innovation to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of processes.
Promote an environment of shared success and teamwork, connecting staff with peers across different practices and areas.
Act as deputy to the Head of Dispute Resolution when required.
Recognize and constructively manage emotional dynamics in dispute resolution processes; maintain neutrality and impartiality under pressure; de-escalate conflict and support others in navigating emotionally charged situations.