Legal Counsel – Middle East & Central Asia

Legal Counsel – Middle East & Central Asia

Description

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.

The Legal Department of IFC (CLED), under the Vice President and General Counsel, is responsible for providing legal and policy advice to the IFC Board, its Management and client departments on operational, advisory, and corporate matters. Specifically, CLED supports client departments 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) project portfolio management (including jeopardy projects and projects in litigation); (iii) 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; (iv) advising on corporate policy and operational matters; and (v) knowledge management and training.

To support IFC’s activities in Europe (“EUR”) as well as in the Middle East, Türkiye, Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan region (“MCA”), the IFC Legal Department is recruiting legal counsel, to be based in Istanbul, Türkiye. The position will report to the Assistant General Counsel for Europe, Middle East, Türkiye, Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Istanbul Office is a regional hub for IFC in the MCA region serving the broader region of MCA/EUR in the legal domain. While the position will be based in Istanbul, the following Terms of Reference will relate to work in the two regions described above, allowing rich cross border experience. We are looking to enrich our Istanbul hub with a diverse talented legal team, interacting very closely with our other regional legal and business teams in Vienna, Warsaw, Amman, Beirut, Dubai and Karachi, as well as teams in other regions and at Headquarters/Washington D.C.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Provide advice and support to investment clients in equity, mezzanine equity products, project and corporate financings involving multiple financiers in a broad range of sectors, with a focus on the real sector, as needed.
• Assume primary lawyer responsibility for new and portfolio investments and advisory services in EUR & MCT.
• Work closely with client departments as needed, as they embark on identifying and assessing Upstream opportunities and advise on the design and implementation of scalable solutions and platforms that can be replicated across markets.
• Advise on the selection of outside counsel in EUR & MCA, manage outside counsel and legal costs effectively.
• Interact and communicate with colleagues in Washington and other regions to facilitate the provision of excellent legal services in EUR & MCA, including providing advice and support to colleagues in Washington and other regions working on projects in EUR & MCA.
• Provide leadership in designing and delivering trainings, and commit to knowledge sharing in general.
• Take leadership on and advise internal clients on institutional and corporate matters.
• Provide general advice and support with respect to all aspects of IFC’s business in EUR & MCT.
• Build strong knowledge about business in the EUR & MCA regions and effectively share knowledge and best practices; and
• Use language skills to facilitate communication with external clients from the region.

Selection Criteria

• Qualified to practice law (admitted to the bar) in at least one of the jurisdictions of the EUR or MCA region.
• Solid experience in one other relevant jurisdiction In EUR or MCA; an additional bar qualification from a jurisdiction relevant to IFC’s work; or an LL.M. or Master’s degree in Law from an internationally well-known educational institution is a plus.
• 8-10 years of relevant experience in cross border transactions, including experience at a leading law firm in the EUR or MCA region and/or at an international financial institution and/or development institution, preferably in developing countries, including:(i) experience working independently on complex transactions(including equity, Project finance, capital markets and an understanding of how blended finance works, (ii) knowledge of insolvency laws, regulations and restructuring options in at least one of the countries of the MCA/EUR region, (iii) experience in advising clients on structuring, innovation and policy matters; and (iv) demonstrated ability to take a leadership role in non-project assignments and initiatives on legal subject matters.
• Demonstrated ability to assume multiple roles and tasks to meet changing business needs with an ability to foresee, troubleshoot and effectively resolve conflicting issues and challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to assess risk in a practical and responsible manner and make fair, well-reasoned, independent and transparent decisions.
• Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model, and familiarity with IFC’s business and policies.
• Demonstrated commitment to World Bank Group core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency and accountability.
• Record of professional excellence.
• Knowledge of a language spoken in the MCA region is a plus, including Arabic, Urdu, Turkish and/ or other Turkic languages spoken in the Central Asia region.

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.