Counsel, Washington DC

Counsel Job #: req37809 Organization: MIGA Sector: Legal Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 8/4/2026 (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.
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) is a member of the World Bank Group, and our mission is to promote foreign direct investment into developing countries to help end extreme poverty and boost share prosperity. We do that by providing political risk insurance and credit enhancement to investors and lenders against losses caused by non-commercial risks.  Since July 1, 2024, all World Bank Group guarantee products are being processed by MIGA in the new World Bank Group (WBG) Guarantee Platform, which brings together guarantee products and experts from across the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). This integration enhances efficiency, simplicity, and speed in delivering guarantee solutions. For more information, visit  
The Legal Affairs and Claims Group in MIGA (known as “MIGLC”) serves as the legal counsel for MIGA and the WBG Guarantee Platform and provides legal advice to IBRD/IDA, IFC and MIGA in relation to all guarantee operations. Among its principal responsibilities, MIGLC advises the Board of Directors and senior management of the relevant WBG institution on legal aspect of its guarantee products, drafts and negotiates the contract of guarantee and other relevant legal documentation, facilitates discussions between investors and governments related to disputes and potential claims, and oversees outside counsel. MIGA also promotes innovation and knowledge sharing in support of the WBG’s mission and the WBG Guarantee Platform.
MIGLC also advises MIGA’s Council of Governors, Board of Directors and senior management on all legal issues in connection with MIGA’s governance and operations. MIGLC supports MIGA’s internal departments in risk and policy analysis, finance and risk management and external outreach. For MIGA guarantees, MIGLC also manages all claims proceedings.
Roles & Responsibility: The Counsel will be expected to work on a diversified portfolio of legal issues, across all sectors and geographic areas.  The Counsel’s duties and responsibilities are listed below: •   Provide legal advice on guarantee operations of the WBG Guarantee Platform, including transaction structures and eligibility under MIGA’s and IBRD’s/IDA’s governing documents and applicable policies and procedures. •   As part of a project team and under the guidance of a Chief Counsel, advise on project risks, conduct due diligence to assess risks that affect the rights of the relevant WBG entity as insurer and subrogee, contribute to approval documents, draft and negotiate contracts of guarantee and related legal documents. •   Oversee work of outside counsel, when retained, and manage costs. •   Assist MIGA’s portfolio team in the preparation of waivers, consents, amendments, approval documents, non-disclosure agreements, and other legal documents relating to guarantees processed under the WBG Guarantee Platform. •   Research and draft memoranda on issues of national and public international law and conducting legal due diligence related to host countries. •   Assist in the process of obtaining and/or modifying required host country approval for guarantees. •   Assist with review and management of disputes between investors and host countries that may develop into claims under WBG guarantees. •   Carry out other duties assigned by the General Counsel or a Chief Counsel.

Selection Criteria

•   Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent law degree; qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.  LLM degree is a plus. •   At least 5 years of relevant legal experience since earning law degree, preferably in a law firm, international financial institution or corporation with international business or finance operations. Relevant experience includes working in transactions involving cross-border lending or investment in developing countries; project, asset or corporate finance; complex corporate and financial transactions; political risk, export credit or investment insurance. •   Strong analytical skills and ability to assess risk in an objective, practical and responsible manner and provide fair, well-reasoned, independent and transparent advice. •   Demonstrate strong client service orientation and a history of having been able to respond to demands from internal and external clients in a timely fashion and to meet changing business needs. •   Strong organizational, research, and oral presentation skills. •   Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment and high ethical standards. Ability to work in a diverse team. •   Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy within the WBG and with government officials. •   Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and ability to draft and negotiate complex legal documents in English. •   Additional language skills desirable (particularly Portuguese, Spanish, or French). •   Understanding of the WBG mission and development agenda. •   Willingness to travel. •   References and a writing sample may be required as part of the selection process.

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.