Description

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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

In the past few years, IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity, especially in low-income countries and fragile and conflict-affected situations. This strategy calls for generating our own opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and to imagine, design and implement investment projects.

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

The Vienna Office is a regional hub for IFC in the Europe region serving the broader region of MCT/EUR.  While the position will be based in Vienna, 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 EUR hub with a talented legal team, interacting very closely with our other regional legal and business teams in Istanbul, Amman and Vienna, as well as teams in other regions and in Headquarters/Washington D.C.

Duties and Accountabilities: 

• Provide advice and support to investment clients in equity, debt, project and corporate financings involving multiple financiers in a broad range of sectors,  and with a focus on financial institutions and market instruments in EUR;
• 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 & MCT, manage outside counsel and legal costs;
• Interact and communicate with colleagues in Washington and other regions to facilitate the provision of excellent legal services in EUR & MCT, including providing advice and support to colleagues in Washington and other regions working on projects in EUR & MCT;
• Provide leadership in designing and delivering trainings;
• 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 & MCT 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 one   jurisdictions of the Europe region;
• Experience in in one other relevant jurisdiction of EUR or an LL.M. or Master’s degree in Law from an internationally well-known educational institution is a plus;
• 8 years of relevant experience in cross border transactions, including experience at a leading law firm in the EUR or MCT region and/or at an international financial institution and/or development institution, preferably in developing countries;
(i) experience in working complex market transactions handled independently (including, bonds, MRELS) as well as corporate and project finance, blended finance, and debt and equity financings), (ii) knowledge of  insolvency laws, regulations and restructuring options in at least one of the countries of the EUR region,  (iii) experience in advising clients on structuring, innovation and policy matters; and (iv) can demonstrate 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;
• Familiarity with IFC’s business and policies;
• Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0;
• Record of professional excellence. 

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.