Assistant General Counsel (Transactions)

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is seeking an Assistant General Counsel (Transactions) to advise on the legal and policy aspects of DFC's debt or equity finance programs.

This role will be based in Washington, DC or New York and involve leading negotiations on large, international deals across energy, infrastructure, and other sectors. Candidates should have strong experience in private sector debt or equity/funds transactions, with the ability to serve as first

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school with an LL.B. or J.D.
• Current member of a bar with a valid license to practice law in a U.S. state, DC, or Puerto Rico.

Responsibilities

• Structure, diligence, negotiate and document complex international debt and/or equity transactions.
• Advise on transaction structures including equity/debt combos and instruments.
• Serve as first chair in negotiations with borrowers, sponsors, investees, co-investors, and lenders.
• Manage disbursements, subscriptions and capital calls; monitor and restructure transactions.
• Analyze foreign and international law issues; advise on collateral, intercreditor arrangements, shareholder rights, jurisdiction and disputes.
• Manage outside counsel.

Skills

Legal experience in finance

Negotiation leadership

Contract documentation

Management of outside counsel

Education

J.D./LL.B.

Bar admission

Job description

Agency Information

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America's development finance institution. DFC partners with the private sector to advance U.S. foreign policy and strengthen national security by mobilizing private capital around the world. DFC invests across strategic sectors including critical minerals, modern infrastructure, and advanced technologies - fostering economic development, supporting U.S. interests, and delivering returns to American taxpayers.

Recent transactions include a $550 loan to upgrade the 1,300km Lobito Atlantic Railway in Angola and establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, a first-of-its kind partnership with Ukraine to rebuild that country's critical infrastructure, develop natural resources and support Ukraine's economic recovery.

Summary

This position is located in DFC's Office of the General Counsel (OGC), and will be based in either DFC's Washington, D.C. or New York office. Successful candidates will serve as an Assistant General Counsel and advise on the legal and policy aspects of either DFC's debt or equity finance programs. Candidates are expected to have strong experience in either private sector debt or equity/funds transactions, with experience in both sectors considered a plus.

Duties

As an Assistant General Counsel (Transactions) you will work with DFC's business teams to:

• Structure, diligence, negotiate and document complex, multi‑million‑dollar international debt and/or equity transactions, with a focus on large energy and infrastructure projects in the power, critical minerals, telecommunications, oil and gas, transport, and manufacturing and service industries.


• Advise on a range of possible transaction structures, including combinations of equity and debt (convertible or non‑convertible) and other equity and quasi‑equity instruments (e.g., warrants) and for debt transactions: limited recourse project financings, structured and corporate financings, guarantees, security arrangements, and engineering and procurement agreements, and for equity and investment fund transactions: the use of direct equity, formation of investment funds or alternative or novel investment and co‑investment structures, joint ventures, framework agreements and/or specialized compacts or offtake arrangements with sovereign and non‑sovereign actors.


• Serve as \"first chair\" in negotiations with borrowers, sponsors, investees, co‑investors, general partners, multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, export credit agencies, and commercial lenders.


• Manage disbursements, subscriptions and/or capital calls as applicable, and monitor and restructure existing transactions across the globe.


• Analyze foreign and international law issues, advise on corporate matters and issues relating to collateral, intercreditor arrangements, shareholder rights, jurisdiction, dispute resolution and DFC policy matters.


• Manage outside counsel.

Please Note: This is not a Bargaining unit position.

Conditions of Employment

• The position is in the excepted service.


• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National or someone who owes allegiance to the U.S. is required.


• Males born after 12‑31‑59 must be registered for Selective Service.


• May be required to successfully complete a two‑year trial period.


• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.


• May be required to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.


• This position may require foreign travel to developing countries.


• Within 30 days of your start date, you will be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE‑450).


• If selected, you will be expected to report to either DFC’s office in downtown New York City or DFC’s office in downtown Washington, D.C.

Qualifications and Application Deadline

This is an open continuous announcement and will be used to fill vacancies with interested and qualified applicants ready to be certified for current and future vacancies.

An initial cut‑off will take place August 10, 2026 to begin initial applicant consideration. Candidates for the position who submit a complete application by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the cut‑off date will be reviewed and referred, if found eligible and qualified.

This announcement will remain open until all vacancies have been filled.

Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements at the time of submitting your application.

Basic Requirements

Applicants must be (1) a graduate of an accredited law school with an LL.B. or J.D.; and (2) a current member of a bar with a valid license to practice law in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If selected, an official law school transcript and proof of an active bar membership will be required.

Specialized Experience

You may qualify at the GS‑14 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement: At least three years of full‑time professional legal experience gained after being admitted to the bar. The minimum three‑year work experience requirement includes at least two years of specialized experience that is directly related to the position being filled. At least one of the two years of specialized experience must be at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the GS‑13 level.

You may qualify at the GS‑15 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement: At least five years of full‑time professional legal experience gained after being admitted to the bar. The minimum five‑year work experience requirement includes at least four years of specialized experience that is directly related to the position being filled. At least two of the four years of specialized experience must be at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the GS‑14 level.

Specialized experience is defined as: experience advising on legal and policy matters in the areas of finance (including project finance and/or corporate loans) and/or investments in direct equity and/or private equity funds in the context of negotiating and documenting transactions for cross‑border projects in emerging markets, whether directly or through the supervision of outside counsel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional Information

• Positions may be filled in either DFC’s office in downtown New York City or DFC’s office in downtown Washington, D.C.


• Telework Suitability: The selectee may be eligible for situational telework, per agency policy.


• Work Schedule: This position allows for a flexible work schedule.


• Miscellaneous: DFC uses E‑Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E‑Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e‑verify.


• If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.


• Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for the position.


• Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO).


• Please visit www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ for more information.

How You Will Be Evaluated

1. Minimum Requirements: Your application must show that you meet all requirements, including the education and/or experience required for this position. You will be found \"not qualified\" if you do not possess the minimum competencies required for the position. If your application is incomplete, we will rate you as ineligible.


2. Referral: Since this is an Excepted Service position, a non-rated method of evaluation will be used. We will evaluate your application by comparing your description of your work experience, level of responsibility, and accomplishments with the requirements of the position to determine whether you meet all the qualification requirements. Although competitive examining rules for rating and ranking and veterans' preference do not apply, veterans' preference will be considered as a positive factor. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify their veterans' preference on their resume. Candidates who meet all the qualification and other eligibility requirements will be referred to the selecting official for consideration and possible interview.

Required Documents

• Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. IMPORTANT UPDATE: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement.


• Your responses to the job questionnaire.

Upon selection, you will be required to provide official transcripts and proof of active bar membership.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content (e.g. SSN or DOB), your resume will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you will not be considered for this vacancy.