The World Bank is seeking applications for the role of Secretary-General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)/Vice President of the World Bank. ICSID is the leading multilateral institution for the resolution of international investment disputes, and one of the five institutions of the World Bank.  

The Secretary-General is ICSID’s legal representative and principal officer, responsible for the administration of the Centre, including the appointment of staff, the registration of cases, the supervision of cases administered by ICSID, and oversight of ICSID’s finances.  

The successful candidate will provide intellectual leadership in the field of international investment law and dispute resolution, one of the most dynamic areas of international law.  

The Secretary-General is elected for a term of up to six years by the Administrative Council—ICSID’s governing body—on the nomination of the President of the World Bank in his capacity as Chair of the Council.  

The Secretary-General also serves as a Vice President of World Bank. In this capacity, the Secretary-General contributes to the work of the World Bank as a whole, and in particular ensures the mandate of ICSID complements the work of all institutions of the World Bank.

A search committee has been formed to find suitable candidates for the position. The committee will be chaired by Christopher Stephens (Senior Vice President and World Bank General Counsel). He will be joined by L. Yves Fortier (independent mediator/arbitrator and former Canadian Ambassador to the UN), Diariétou Gaye (Vice President, World Bank People and Culture), Antonio R. Parra (past ICSID Deputy Secretary-General), Ethiopis Tafara (Vice President and Chief Risk, Legal and Administrative Officer, MIGA) and Mercy Tembon (Vice President and Corporate Secretary, World Bank Corporate Secretariat). The committee will be assisted by the search firm Heidrick & Struggles.

Meg Kinnear is currently serving as ICSID’s Secretary-General. Ms. Kinnear joined ICSID in 2009, was re-elected to a third term in 2020, and is retiring in June 2024.  

Further details on the role and responsibilities, as well as the application process, are available on the World Bank careers website.

Questions about the position should be sent to icsid_secretarygeneral@heidrick.com.