Chief Counsel, Corporate Finance, Washington, United States

Chief Counsel, Corporate Finance

Location: Washington, DC, United States

Closing date: 10/9/2026 at 11:59pm UTC

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit

VPU Context:

The World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It uses financial resources and extensive experience to help our client countries to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, and improve quality of life. To ensure that countries can access the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edge knowledge, the WBG is constantly seeking to improve the way it works. Key priorities include delivering measurable results, promoting openness and transparency in development, and improving access to development information and data. In the context of the WBG's broad development agenda, the Legal Vice Presidency (LEG), under the Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel (SVP/GGC), is responsible for providing legal advice and support to internal and external both World Bank and, where pertinent, more broadly WBG clients on operational, advisory, financial, administration, and institutional matters. In addition, LEG helps to ensure that all World Bank activities comply with the Articles of Agreement of all WBG institutions, policies and procedures. Organizationally, LEG includes geographically based regional Operational Practice Groups devoted to the legal and policy aspects of the World Bank's lending and technical assistance operations, and Corporate Practice Groups, which provide advice on corporate finance, capital mobilization, policy and partnerships, and administrative and institutional matters.

Unit Context:

The LEG Corporate Finance Practice Group (LEGFI) is, together with the LEG Capital Mobilization Practice Group (LEGCM), part of the LEG Finance team under the oversight of the Deputy General Counsel (DGC), Finance. The LEG Finance team jointly manages the legal aspects of the World Bank’s market-facing financial transactions, including bond issuance, risk management transactions, liquid asset investments, pension and benefit plan investments, IBRD capital increases, and new financial products and services. The LEG Finance team also advises on structuring of innovative finance mechanisms and private capital mobilization, and also handles the legal, governance, and policy aspects of the International Development Association (IDA), trust funds, and financial intermediary funds (FIFs), including resource mobilization activities such as IDA replenishments and donor-facing financial and policy matters.

Duties and accountabilities:

The Chief Counsel reports directly to the DGC Finance and provides intellectual and strategic leadership and advice to the DGC Finance on all matters relevant to LEGFI’s portfolio.

The Chief Counsel will be accountable for performing the responsibilities, modeling behaviors and maintaining the practice group's technical competencies in the Chief Counsel’s capacity as a member of the Legal Department's Management Team. Accountability means being answerable for managing quality, risks, results, institutional initiatives, and compliance with Bank policies and procedures. The Chief Counsel is furthermore accountable for the delivery of the assigned work program.

The Chief Counsel is responsible for coordinating and ensuring the provision of legal advice and support primarily to the WBG Finance Partners on matters within the purview of LEGFI. The Chief Counsel is also responsible for collaborating with other Practice Groups within LEG as well as across IBRD/IDA, IFC and MIGA, with relevant counterparts as appropriate.

The Chief Counsel also coordinates closely with the LEGCM Chief Counsel and the LEGCM team for consistency of legal strategies, approaches and messaging with credit rating agencies, investors and other market participants in respect of all capital market activities.

Specific Duties and Accountabilities Include:

• Under the guidance of the DGC Finance, leads LEGFI in carrying out its functions and mandate as described above.
• People/Talent Management accountabilities. Manages LEGFI’s staff, including enabling staff to effectively carry out the assigned work program and actively promoting career development opportunities. Manages and oversees the engagement of technical consultants.
• Resource Management accountabilities. Effectively manages LEGFI’s budget in a resource-constrained environment; ensures effective formulation of the unit’s budget proposal, input into budget decisions and managing the unit's financial resources effectively and efficiently.
• Relationship Management accountabilities (internal and external). Provides ongoing representation of the Bank and outreach to key stakeholders. Keeps the Practice Group abreast of key stakeholder dialogue. Coordinates and collaborates with other development partners to further the aid effectiveness agenda.
• Represents the Practice Group at public and professional fora to help and promote the Practice Group's and LEG's leadership position.
• Knowledge Management accountabilities. Disseminates best practices and lessons learned. Manages the learning and knowledge flows in the Practice Group and supports implementation of VPU-wide knowledge initiatives.
• Contributes to LEG strategic priorities and issues beyond the scope of the Practice Group, actively participates in the development and implementation of LEG’s Business Model.
• Fulfilling all of the above and leading by example with a collaborative, team-oriented, Bank-first, mindset and approach and instilling that approach and values in others.
• Such other or different responsibilities and functions as may be specified from time to time by the DGC Finance or the SVP/GGC.

Selection Criteria

• Professional qualifications must include JD, LL.M, SJD or equivalent.
• At least 12 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience, including experience in the matters described as within the function of LEGFI above.
• Proven track record of building and managing teams, mentoring, coaching and empowering staff to work independently and think creatively about development and other challenges facing the organization, provide support for learning and professional development, and prepare them to take on increasing responsibilities and adapt to change.
• Expertise and knowledge of WBG and IFIs; in-depth knowledge and experience with WBG operations as well will be a strong advantage.
• Strong understanding of the governance structure, business models, and financial reporting of IBRD and IDA, and the ability to explain relevant issues to underwriters’ counsel, dealers, and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability to provide strategic and intellectual leadership on a wide variety of financial matters and demonstrated ability to provide internal and external counterparts with technically sound, innovative, timely and practical advice and solutions to meet the needs of the Bank’s strategic and operational priorities and particular transactions, and to resolve complex legal issues.
• Exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills, including proven ability to effectively implement complex and transformative change management initiatives.
• Proven ability to effectively work with colleagues and integrate the work of multiple business units covering diverse activities.
• Receptivity to feedback and constructive criticism; outstanding written and verbal communications skills.
• Has the ability to create a thoughtful strategy for generating consensus both inside and outside the Bank on divisive legal issues; is able to lead and handle negotiations diplomatically. Recognizes that there are times when negotiation calls for an approach that is both principled yet flexible. Reaches out to colleagues to test strategy. Is seen as trustworthy by all those involved. Is able to lead complex negotiations.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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

WBG Five ManagerialCompetencies

• 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.