IFC’s Corporate Legal Department Internship Program (the “Program”)
Location: Beijing
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Program is to: (i) provide law school students or graduates with an opportunity to gain experience within the legal department of a multilateral development institution, and (ii) allow IFC to promote itself within the academic world.
Types/Funding:
Internships may not be offered on an unremunerated basis. IFC’s Corporate Legal Department (“CLED”) may offer unpaid internships in Beijing office to law school students or graduates either with a stipend/fellowship from a third party (as described below) to provide for travel, living and other expenses, or through an internship program where the student obtains academic credits from the school.
To comply with IFC HR rules the stipend needs to be provided by the law school or a third-party institution affiliated with the law school and otherwise acceptable to HR, and not by the intern personally or through friends/relatives. In the case of law student internships for academic credit, the law school needs to provide a letter to IFC confirming that the student is properly enrolled and will obtain such credits upon the successful completion of the internship.
Spring and Fall Internships/Tenure:
CLED will consider internship applications twice a year, for fall (from September/October) and spring (from March) terms. At the lawyer located in Beijing (the “Sponsor”)’s discretion, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Interested candidates shall provide the Sponsor with their CVs along with a cover letter expressing their interest, dates they are available, and possible sources of fellowship or similar funding, or the possibility of obtaining academic credit for semester long internships from their law schools or otherwise. The duration of the internship shall be 6 months.
Skills Required:
To be considered, the internship candidate shall (a) be enrolled at a law school in a jurisdiction of an IFC member country (e.g. China) where the candidate is pursuing either a law degree or (having already received a basic law degree in any jurisdiction of an IFC member country) post-graduate studies (such as an LL.M.) that are relevant to the CLED’s operations and (b) have satisfactorily completed at least one and one-half years’ worth of credits in law school.
We will also consider candidates that have satisfactorily completed the studies mentioned above within the 6 months prior to applying for the internship. Good teamwork and strong communication skills, as well as good work ethic and sincere interest in public service and IFC’s mission are requirements to be accepted to the Program.
Scope of Work:
The intern’s work will be determined by the intern’s Sponsor but typically focuses on (a) IFC investment and advisory projects (loans, equity investments; advisory engagements) to private companies in Emerging Markets, (b) knowledge management, (c) research, and
(d) transactional support to the lawyers s/he is working with. The intern may have a wide array of duties including filing, organizing closings, monitoring disbursement requirements, preparing training sessions and assisting in knowledge management, document review, and coordination generally with internal and external clients.
Logistics:
The intern will be provided with appropriate office space, phone and a computer, and generally be expected to work from 9am – 6pm on weekdays, with an hour lunch break, unless otherwise agreed with the relevant law school to accommodate other academic engagements. In the case of internships for academic credits, IFC and the student would agree on a schedule to fit the student's class requirements.
Application Deadline (Fall Intern, 2024):
August 23, 2024
How to Apply:
Please send the following documents to [email protected]. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
1. Cover letter expressing your interest and dates you are available
2. CV/ Resume
3. Letter from university or academic institution (on their official letterhead)
