Associate Counsel position is available in World Bank. The selected lawyer will join the Sydney World Bank office and work primarily on the Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands portfolios. The selected candidate will report to the Chief Counsel, LEGES based in Washington DC.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct legal due diligence for projects to ensure compliance with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s and the International Development Association’s Articles of Agreement and operational policies, and general adequacy of projects’ institutional and other arrangements with the relevant country’s legal framework;
• Draft and negotiate agreements (e.g., Loan, Financing and Grant Agreements, Guarantee Agreements, and Project Agreements);
• Also, Prepare and/or review subsidiary agreements and other on-lending and on-granting agreements, and legal opinions, and recommend appropriate changes;
• Carry out portfolio management, including drafting amendments and other project-related legal documents;
• Likewise, Advise project teams on World Bank policies and procedures;
• Prepare legal memoranda on pertinent legal issues, including on matters related to local law (at the national and sub-national levels) and international law;
• Similarly, Participate in identification, preparation, appraisal and supervision missions with project teams and attend any other operational meetings;
• Provide guidance to Administrative Client Support staff and/or paralegals on processing of project documentation;
• Furthermore, Assist with legal and judicial reform work, if any (including analysis of local legislation, judicial system, etc.)

Qualifications and Requirements

• An LL.B. degree, JD degree or equivalent, with two to four years of relevant work experience and qualified to practice law /Bar admission (or equivalent) in at least one jurisdiction
• A Masters Degree in law (LLM) is desirable.
• Experience in a reputable private sector law firm and/ or with an international financial organization is a strong plus.
• Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, analytical and communications skills;
• In addition, Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of at least one Pacific Island Country or Papua New Guinea legal theory and practice, as well as familiarity with the legal system of a Pacific Island Country or Papua New Guinea will be desirable.
• Experience in administrative and contract law, in transactional legal work and/or preparation and negotiation of legal agreements