(Senior) Counsel - Structured Finance

Washington, United States

(Senior) Counsel - Structured Finance

Job #:

req34477

Organization:

IFC

Sector:

Legal

Grade:

Term Duration:

3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

10/13/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

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, Legal Institution and Risk Governance, 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 growing activities in Industries and, more specifically, Financial Institution Group space (FIG), CLED is recruiting a qualified Legal Counsel, to be based in Washington DC.

Duties and Accountabilities:

Assume primary lawyer responsibility for new and portfolio investments and advisory services as well as Upstream engagements, with a focus primarily on FIG and structured and trade finance.
Provide advice and support to FIG investment clients on debt products (including capital market transactions), as well as funded and unfunded structured finance and trade and commodity finance products and related programs.
Provide advice and support to FIG investment clients in the form of preparing, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation for FIG transactions, including loan agreements, risk participation/sharing agreements or other bespoke agreements, mandate letters, non-disclosure agreements, term sheets and other related documentation; develop and/or enhance related knowledge management (including specimens and written guidance); assist in responding to ad hoc questions arising in the context of structured finance and trade finance transactions and trade programs; and provide other legal support on related matters as needed.
Oversee legal analysts preparing documentation based on standardized terms and conditions.
Work with FIG client departments as they embark on identifying and assessing new opportunities and advise on the design, documentation and implementation of new projects, programs and initiatives in the financial institutions and trade sectors.
Work with CLED FIG, Structured Finance and Trade Finance Global leads to develop know-how solutions and trainings and support colleagues in the field as appropriate and share knowledge and experience gained in projects across regions.
Assist in designing and delivering trainings for FIG departments and CLED.
Advise internal fig clients on institutional and corporate matters.
Provide general legal advice and support with respect to all aspects of the aforementioned IFC business.
Advise on the selection of outside counsel for IFC projects, manage outside counsel and legal costs.

Selection Criteria

At least 8 years of relevant experience working on transactions in a law firm and/or international financial institution and/or development institution, with demonstrated work experience in cross-border emerging markets finance, corporate loans, structured finance and trade finance.
Hands-on experience with: a) structured finance products generally (such as risk sharing facilities, funded and unfunded risk participations, securitizations, guarantees and partial credit guarantees, covered bonds, etc.); and/or b) trade and commodity finance products and solutions (such as risk mitigation guarantees, portfolio risk sharing facilities, trade guarantees, structured commodity finance solutions and working capital facilities).
Familiarity with IFC structured finance products and programs and IFC trade and commodity finance programs such as the Global Trade Liquidity Program (GTLP), the Global Supply Chain Finance and the Global Warehouse Finance Program (GWFP) preferred.
Experience with knowledge management and specimens.
Ability to handle independently complex corporate and commercial transactions in secured lending, corporate and project finance, debt restructurings and equity investments and divestments.
Experience with knowledge management, either to support areas of transactional focus, or for legal work generally.
Experience working with bond instruments and blended/concessional facilities is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to assume multiple roles and tasks to meet changing business needs with an ability to foresee, troubleshoot, escalate and effectively resolve conflicting issues and challenges.
Demonstrated ability to assess risk in a practical and responsible manner and make well-reasoned decisions as well as to think creatively e.g. on structuring matters and deal terms.
Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment, to build and maintain effective working relations with clients and colleagues across IFC, and to work effectively in teams.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with quick turnaround expectations.
Willingness to travel frequently and on short notice.
Professional integrity and sound judgment in handling confidential information.
Excellent communications skills and the capacity to present both written and oral ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively at senior levels.
Demonstrated commitment to core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency and accountability.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.

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