Legal Officer, LAC Region

Job #: req38354
Organization: IFC
Sector: Legal
Grade: GF
Term Duration:  Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP)
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Sao Paulo,Brazil
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): Portuguese, Spanish
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the International Finance Corporation (IFC), 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. In fiscal year 2026, IFC committed a record $105.6 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.  
The Legal Department of IFC (CLED), under the Vice President and General Counsel, Legal and Compliance Risk, provides legal and policy advice to the IFC Board, its Management and client departments on operational, advisory, and corporate matters.  CLED supports client departments in (i) the delivery of IFC’s annual program of financing private sector projects in emerging markets, advisory services, as well as early stage engagements and pre-investment project development work to identify opportunities for private sector investments and creating markets (“Upstream”); (ii) project portfolio management (including jeopardy projects and projects in litigation); (iii) the delivery and design of structured finance products, sub-national lending, equity and quasi-equity and public-private partnerships, and investments in funds, as well as platform products; (iv) advising on corporate policy and operational matters; and (v) knowledge management and training.  
In particular, areas on heightened importance for the region include:  
Mobilization: In FY24, out of $16 billion commitments booked in LAC, a full 50% ($8.09 billion) were mobilization (with $5.6 billion own account LTF and $2 billion STF).   
Innovative products such as local thematic bonds: These instruments have been extensively used and continue to be very much in demand in the LAC region and IFC has been a pioneer in innovating in this space by issuing some of the first thematic bonds in certain areas (i.e., Blue Bonds, Amazon sustainability linked bond, etc.) 
Non-financial risk: One of the main non-financial risks refer to litigation that has arisen in the last few years in CTA/ Upstream/ Mainstream operations 
Equity: Increasingly large equity tickets in LAC that require specific equity expertise, knowledge of local markets and laws and ability to navigate market nuances and intelligence in sensitive areas. 
To support the growing IFC’s activities in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), CLED is recruiting a qualified Legal Officer to be based in Sao Paulo, Brazil or other LAC office. The Counsel will report to the LAC Assistant General Counsel.  
Role and Responsibilities: 
The successful candidate should be able to assume primary lawyer responsibility, work autonomously and exercise independent judgment on straightforward financing transactions, advisory projects and upstream engagements, in the financial and real sector and follow-on investments with existing clients. This includes advising internal clients at the business development stage, term sheet stage, and drafting and negotiating the relevant legal documents. The successful candidate is also expected to be able to provide “second chair” support on more complex transactions with a senior colleague. 
The legal counsel will have the following duties and responsibilities: 
General Duties 
• Oversee work produced by administrative and more junior staff in the Legal Department;  
• 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; and 
• Have demonstrated the competence needed to satisfactorily perform a variety of different and, at times, complex assignments to support the Legal Department.  
Research  
• Be proficient in the use of varied legal research sources, i.e., information databases, internet services, library sources; and 
• 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.  
Productivity  
• Have the ability to advocate positions and explain them to internal and external clients orally and in writing; and 
• Have the ability to manage a number of projects/ tasks at the same time.  
Communication  
• 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; and  
• Advanced writing skills to be able to prepare letter agreements and contracts using technical legal terminology in English and Spanish. 
Judgement 
• Handles the tasks noted above with limited to no supervision; and  
• Demonstrated ability to apply good legal judgment in context of assignments.  
Teamwork  
• 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; and  
• Participates in and organizes corporate initiatives and training programs.  
Mentoring  
• Actively promotes effective transfer of knowledge/skills; and  
• Provides guidance to more junior staff in the Legal Department. 

Selection Criteria

• 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. 
• 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. 
• Independently, or with little supervision, take on straightforward transactions from start to finish, with the ability to work independently with investment staff, external clients, local counsel, and international counsel 
• Demonstrated commitment to core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency and accountability.  
• Ability to advise business teams on standard legal questions and legal risks  
• Ability to understand complex legal issues in loans and equity investments and able to articulate arguments and rationale for the same  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Portuguese. Proficiency in Spanish would be an advantage. 
• Ability to advise on advisory engagements  
• Ability to handle portfolio work  
• Effective written and spoken communication and strong interpersonal skills 

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

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.

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