Overview
The Legal Officer will provide legal and policy advice to IFC management and client departments on operational, advisory, and corporate matters, supporting financing transactions, advisory projects, and upstream engagements.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee work produced by administrative and more junior staff.
- Handle portfolio work, including preparing amendment and waiver documents, working on subsequent closings and disbursements, and managing simple equity sale arrangements.
- Update guidance, manage precedents, and work on legal and IFC policy research.
- Be knowledgeable about the laws of at least one relevant jurisdiction in the region related to commercial and company law / banking and finance.
- Have demonstrated the competence needed to satisfactorily perform a variety of different and, at times, complex assignments to support the Legal Department.
- Be proficient in the use of varied legal research sources, i.e., information databases, internet services, library sources.
- Have proven legal analytical skills, as demonstrated through research and analysis of a wide range of legal issues and the ability to present results/ recommendations clearly and concisely.
- Have the ability to advocate positions and explain them to internal and external clients orally and in writing.
- Have the ability to manage a number of projects/ tasks at the same time.
- Interact and effectively communicate with colleagues in Washington and offices in LAC, to share knowledge and experience gained in own projects.
- Be able to explain and defend IFC’s approach in its standard loan and equity clauses and has developed an approach for successful negotiations.
- Effectively communicates corporate policies and objectives to internal and external clients orally and in writing.
- Be able to handle communications and articulate instructions to external counsel and external parties and follow-up with the same with a view to finalize IFC positions including in terms of drafting documents.
- Advanced writing skills to be able to prepare letter agreements and contracts using technical legal terminology in English and Spanish.
- Handles the tasks noted above with limited to no supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to apply good legal judgment in context of assignments.
- Can interact effectively within the Legal Department staff, other IFC departments, and senior personnel representing external clients.
- Able to participate in and contribute to departmental working groups and committees and training initiatives.
- Participates in and organizes corporate initiatives and training programs.
- Actively promotes effective transfer of knowledge/skills.
- Provides guidance to more junior staff in the Legal Department.
Required Experience
At least four years of relevant legal experience following completion of the law degree, gained at a local or international law firm, international financial institution, development finance institution, or corporation with significant international business or finance operations. Experience working in an international setting or advising on matters involving multiple jurisdictions would be highly desirable. Demonstrated experience advising on cross-border transactions, preferably involving international finance, project finance, corporate finance, investment transactions, or other relevant commercial matters. Experience in emerging markets would be an advantage.
Qualifications
Juris Doctor, LLB, or equivalent law degree from a recognized university, and qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction. An LLM or other relevant postgraduate degree would be an advantage.