Job Description

E T Consultant

Job #: req38917 Organization: World Bank Group Sector: Legal Grade: EC1 Term Duration: 1 year 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 11/12/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the World Bank, 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. For more information, visit International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Promoting good governance and tackling corruption are critical to achieving sustainable development and poverty reduction. Diversion of funds from development projects through corruption impairs the ability of governments, donors, and the World Bank (the Bank) to achieve the goals of reducing poverty, attracting investment, and encouraging good governance. One way that the Bank combats corruption is through the use of administrative sanctions against firms or individuals that have engaged in fraud, corruption, coercion, collusion, or obstruction (Sanctionable Misconduct) in connection with Bank-financed projects. The Bank’s administrative sanctions regime is designed to protect the funds entrusted to the Bank while offering the firms and individuals involved an opportunity to respond to the allegations against them. As the first tier of the Bank’s two-tier sanctions process, the Office of Suspension and Debarment (OSD) plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient, effective, and fair disposition of the Bank’s sanctions cases.

Allegations that a firm or individual has engaged in Sanctionable Misconduct in connection with a Bank-financed project are investigated by the Integrity Vice Presidency (INT). If INT believes there is sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations, the case is referred to OSD for review by the Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer (SDO). The SDO reviews the evidence submitted by INT and determines if the evidence supports a finding that the alleged Sanctionable Misconduct has occurred. If so, the SDO issues a Notice of Sanctions Proceedings to the firm or individual alleged to have engaged in the Sanctionable Misconduct. This Notice includes the allegations, the evidence, and a recommended sanction, usually involving a period of debarment. The SDO also determines whether the firm or individual will be temporarily suspended from eligibility for new Bank-financed contracts pending the final outcome of the sanctions process.

The firm or individual can choose not to contest the allegations or the recommended sanction, in which case the recommended sanction is imposed. If the firm or individual does contest the allegations or the recommended sanction, the case is referred to the Sanctions Board – the second tier of the Bank’s two-tier sanctions process. The Sanctions Board considers the allegations in the Notice, along with any response from the firm or individual, before making a final decision. Since 2001, the Bank has publicly sanctioned more than 900 firms and individuals.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Working under the direction of the SDO and other OSD attorneys, the Legal Consultant will be accountable for performing legal analysis, research, and other activities aimed at strengthening the capacity and functions of OSD, including:

• Working for OSD full-time, five days per week;
• Assisting the OSD attorneys with the review of sanctions cases;

Terms and Reference for OSD ETC (Legal Consultant)

• Researching and analyzing U.S. and foreign law related to issues including, but not limited to, administrative sanctions and international and national anti-corruption laws in relation to cases and OSD outreach activities;
• Drafting/editing protocols, briefing notes, presentations, and other documents related to general anti-corruption themes and/or administrative sanctions;
• Providing research support for article(s) for publication; and
• Performing any other tasks necessary for the successful operation of OSD, as per the direction of the SDO and other OSD attorneys.

Selection Criteria

• Post-graduate law degree (JD, LLM, or equivalent);
• Admission to the Bar (or equivalent) in at least one jurisdiction;
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience (experience with international organizations or in international settings is highly desirable);
• Familiarity with the Bank Group’s sanctions system, and particularly OSD’s operations, case review practices, and policy framework;
• Knowledge of comparable administrative systems in national and transnational jurisdictions, as well as those of other multilateral development banks;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Proven ability to conduct and coordinate comprehensive research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and complex nature;
• Proven ability to communicate at a superior level in English, orally and in writing, including on difficult and complex issues and positions;
• Proficiency in a second language;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Proven ability to clearly and concisely prepare, present, discuss, and defend findings and recommendations and to produce complex and compelling reports and memoranda, often on very short notice;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a proven ability to deal sensitively in multicultural environments, build effective working relationships with colleagues, and assist in supervision of the work of others; and
• Established reputation for integrity, sound judgment, fairness, and discretion in dealings internally and externally.

GENERAL PROVISIONS:

1. OSD personnel must sign and remain bound by the terms of the standard OSD confidentiality agreement.
2. OSD personnel must follow appropriate OSD protocols when handling all documents relating to sanctions proceedings.
3. OSD personnel are not authorized to provide legal advice to the Bank, but rather shall refer legal issues (including, but not limited to, any legal issues that involve the Bank’s legal status, possible court litigation, or potential privileges and immunities) to the Legal Vice Presidency.

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

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

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.