Associate Counsel

Associate Counsel

Job #:
req28280

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Ethics & Internal Justice Systems

Grade:

GE
Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
Local Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

English

Closing Date:

7/31/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of development assistance and global expertise for developing countries.

It consists of five institutions that specialize in different aspects of development:

the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

For additional information, please visit

ETHICS AND INTERNAL JUSTICE SERVICES VPU

The World Bank's Ethics and Internal Justice Services Vice Presidency (EIJ VPU) is a newly created Vice Presidency within the World Bank Group (WBG) that brings together, under a single umbrella, the WBG's approach to values, ethics and the resolution of workplace conflict.

The EIJ VPU's vision is to foster a values-based workplace culture and help staff uphold the WBG's ethical standards.

EIJ provides an integrated, empathetic, and efficient approach to resolving workplace conflict, allowing staff to focus with urgency on the WBG's mission.

EIJ's work covers each of the five WBG institutions.

The Vice Presidency has recently been organized into the following four units:

• Ethics Advice and Early Interventions, which consists of:
• Advisory, Training & Values (ATV) - responsible for the Core Values and the Code of Ethics and associated rules; manages all training and outreach on behalf of the VPU; provides advice and guidance on the Code, with specific focus on conflicts of interest; and manages the Bank's Declarations of Interest program;
• Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination (AHAD) comprising the Anti-Harassment Coordinator's Office, and the Race Equity Office.
• The Anti-Harassment Coordinator (AHC) addresses reports of harassment, and sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and provides guidance to management on preventing and addressing such behaviors; and
• The Race Equity Office (REO) acts as the focal point for the WBG for addressing reports of workplace racism and racial discrimination, at both the individual and systemic levels

2.

Mediation and Formal Reviews, which consists of:

• Mediation Services (MEF) - offers a confidential conflict resolution process for staff to resolve workplace issues with the assistance of a neutral third-party. MEF also provides team building and team facilitation services;
• Peer Review Services (PRS) - provides an independent review by a panel of peers of managerial decisions, actions or inactions (not related to performance management) affecting a staff member;
• Performance Management Review (PMR) - provides an independent appellate review of performance management-related decisions; and
• Investigations (INV) - conducts independent fact-finding investigations of allegations of staff misconduct.

3.

Ombuds unit, which offers staff a confidential off the record, impartial and informal venue to discuss any workplace issues, and alerts management to systemic trends.

4.

The EIJ Front Office which consists of:

• Core Services - provides cohesive administrative support across the VPU; and
• EIJ Navigator - a centralized intake service to assist staff with their concerns by pairing them with the appropriate channel within the EIJ VPU to resolve their concerns efficiently and expediently.
• Respectful Workplace Advisors (RWAs) - comprising staff selected by their peers, RWAs act as a confidential sounding board for staff and a source of information about EIJ services.

Associate Counsel
Peer Review Services (PRS) is seeking to recruit an Associate Counsel. The Associate Counsel will report to the PRS Executive Secretary or to a designated PRS Counsel.

The incumbent will have responsibility for handling the quality, timeliness, and completeness of PRS functions, with the highest level of professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision and overall guidance of the PRS Executive Secretary or a designated PRS Counsel, the Associate Counsel will carry out the following duties and accountabilities:

• Draft briefs to prepare the pre-hearings and pre-written proceedings meetings with Peer Review Panel Members (Panels); these briefs need to be completed in time. To the briefs are attached timelines of the case history and PRS proceedings, which the Associate Counsel is also responsible for preparing. The Associate Counsel often has several cases and briefs to prepare in parallel over a definite period of time. Timeliness is set in accordance with PRS Service Level Agreement and Key Performance Indicators.
• Draft memoranda conveying to the parties the Panels' decisions on witnesses and additional documents.
• Draft complex and detailed reports to the Decision-Maker, detailing the facts and legal issues of the case; the arguments of each party; what transpired at the hearing including witness testimonies and additional documentary evidence received by the Panels regarding the case; the Panels' analysis, findings and conclusions on whether management complied with the Staff Rules and HR Policies, whether it acted fairly, in good faith and in accordance with due process in making the employment-related decision; in the event of any non-compliance with the above obligations by management, the Associate Counsel drafts the Panels' recommendations for financial compensation and other relief for the aggrieved staff member.
• Draft concise case dismissal memoranda detailing the facts and legal issues of the case; the arguments of each party; the basis upon which the Panels dismissed a case in accordance with Staff Rule 9.03 based on untimeliness of the staff's filing with PRS or because the case falls outside of PRS jurisdiction. These memoranda require strong analytical and legal thinking ability.
• During hearings, play a co-lead or, in due course or as appropriate, a lead role in helping to keep the hearing in focus within the scope of the complainant's request for review, as well as for ensuring the fairness and impartiality of the hearing and all peer review proceedings in general; after the hearing, the Associate Counsel will assist the Panels in deciding on the type and amount of relief to be recommended for the complainant to the decision-maker.
• Draft recommendations to Senior Management concerning changes to HR Policies as the need arises.
• Communicate in writing with parties, when needed, and must do so consistency with tact, discretion and judgment, and in total neutrality. They may also be asked to communicate with Panel Members, as appropriate.
• Meet with clients (complainants and management), when needed for intakes or further consultations.
• Perform quality control reviews of PRS briefs, reports, and other documents as needed.
• Participate in outreach activities organized by the EIJ.
• Other assignments, as needed or requested.

Selection Criteria

• Masters' Degree in law.
• Admission to the Bar of at least one WBG member countries and at least two years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in a peer review secretariat, appeals committee, or grievance committee of a multilateral development organization is preferred.

Language:
English (Essential)

Note:
This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only(including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). Externalcandidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies,their application will not be considered.

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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