Special Assistant – Associate Counsel

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

The mandate of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) is to foster increased flows of international investment by providing an impartial and effective international forum for the resolution of disputes between host governments and foreign investors.

The Special Assistant – Associate Counsel, in collaboration with other members of the ICSID Front Office, will undertake a wide array of operational and corporate responsibilities with the utmost professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion. Key duties and accountabilities include:

• Provide high-level strategic and administrative support to the Secretary-General (SG).
• Assist in the day-to-day operational work of the Front Office.
• Conduct legal research on investment law and investor-State dispute settlement.
• Support outreach efforts to member governments and other ICSID stakeholders, including preparation of training courses, technical assistance and seminars.
• Assist with the preparation for the Annual Meetings of the ICSID Administrative Council.
• Assist with the preparation of the Centre’s publications and official documents.
• Serve as a member of the Editorial Team for the ICSID Review—Foreign Investment Law Journal.
• Monitor, coordinate, and oversee internal and external inquiries and requests for information, ensuring quality control and timely management of ICSID responses.
• Prepare minutes of meetings and follow up on actionable items as needed.
• Draft and review correspondence and official documents for the SG’s signature.
• Assist in the expansion and maintenance of the institutional affairs records and filing system.
• Manage incoming correspondence, official invitations, and other matters, ensuring responses are prepared and actionable items are followed up on.
• Prepare mission programs and materials, coordinating with internal and external partners on aspects including agenda, venue, attendees, protocol, bilateral meetings, and post-meeting preparations such as minutes and action plans.
• Oversee the coordination of conferences, presentations, briefings, talking points, and speeches.
• Coordinate the Secretary-General’s travel calendar with the Senior Executive Assistant.
• Serve as a back-up for the Senior Executive Assistant as needed.
• Assist the ICSID External Affairs Officer on communications-related matters, including social media and news monitoring for the Secretary-General.
• Undertake other ad hoc assignments and projects as required.

Under the supervision of ICSID Counsel, the Special Assistant – Associate Counsel may also work on arbitration and conciliation proceedings. Duties in this regard include:

• Draft, format, proofread, and finalize case-related correspondence.
• Transmit correspondence to the Tribunal and the Parties.
• Prepare screening memoranda, initial drafts of documents and working papers.
• Conduct research on assigned issues using existing case files and alternative sources (e.g., the internet, online portals, or other databases), analyze information, and summarize findings.
• Provide editing assistance with awards and decisions (e.g., tables of contents, footnotes).
• Assist with the logistical arrangements for remote and in-person hearings in Washington, D.C., and abroad.

• Law degree (JD, LLB, LLM, or equivalent) and at least three years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of international investment law and public international law.
• Knowledge of arbitration practice and procedure.
• Excellent English language skills. Fluency in French or Spanish, the other two official languages of ICSID, would be an advantage.
• Excellent drafting skills. Ability to research arbitration and investment law questions and draft documents clearly and precisely with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to nurture and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources.
• Ability to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, balance competing demands, and achieve agreed-upon results.

• Initiative: Volunteers to undertake tasks and lead projects.
• Professional Maturity: Listens well to others and communicates respectfully. Takes the time to clarify others' points of view and reach consensus.
• Flexibility: Demonstrates the ability to adapt plans, tasks and resources to meet objectives and work with others. Ability to adapt effectively to shifting work demands and institutional directives in a rapidly changing work environment. Willingness to work flexible hours to meet client needs.
• Service Orientation: Is accountable for timely responses to internal and external queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success—tact and discretion in dealing with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of ICSID.
• Drive for Results: Pro-active approach to case management and is accountable for meeting deadlines and achieving agreed-upon results.
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion: Excellent interpersonal skills, including working effectively in a team. Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view—ability to deal sensitively in multicultural environments and build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Knowledge and Learning: Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information clearly and organized.
• Judgment and Analytical Decision Making: Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work.
• Lead and Innovate: Develops and encourages innovative solutions with and by others.
• Deliver Results for Clients: Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client.
• Make Smart Decisions: Recommends and takes decisive action.

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.