Job Description

A leading financial institution company is looking for a Legal Counsel to join a team of legal professionals. As a Legal Counsel you will play a crucial role in providing comprehensive and effective legal advice relating to the legislative, regulatory and litigious issues within the group, including prudential authority (PA), with a special focus area on financial sector laws as defined in the Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017. This includes banking, insurance, financial market infrastructure, and other related areas. The incumbent may also be required to lead a team of legal consultants in the provision of legal advice and to contribute proactively to the mitigation of legal risk within the group and prudential authority.

Key performance areas:

• Proactively identify, address and manage potential legal risks within the group, including the prudential authority.
• Contribute to, and take responsibility for, the development of appropriate legislative and regulatory frameworks that have an impact on the company, including the prudential authority.
• Take responsibility for monitoring and reviewing local and international legislation, regulation and policies that have an impact on the mandate of the company, and advise the Head of the Legislation and Financial Sector Law Department, senior management in the

Legal Services Department and others across the group on any developments. * Conduct and integrate research on issues relating to the legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks that have an impact on the group and the financial sector and advise on their impact on the current frameworks.

• Steer legal processes for internal clients on complex legal challenges and disputes affecting their operations.
• Draft legislation and regulations as well as opinions to address specific concerns of the group, including the prudential authority.
• Participate in negotiations to conclude agreements and agree on relevant positions, policies, principles, litigation matters and regulatory action matters, in consultation with senior management in the Legal Services Department.
• Participate in internal and external forums, and present and/or defend informed positions that are in the interest of the group, including the prudential authority.
• Lead special projects to ensure that mandated and informed positions are developed and presented to stakeholders.
• Manage the projects related to legislative, regulatory and policy issues in the group, including the prudential authority, to ensure that mandated and informed positions are developed and presented to stakeholders.
• Manage stakeholder relationships in relevant areas (internal and external) to enhance the operations of the group, including the prudential authority, and to facilitate the required co-operation and concurrence between financial sector regulators.
• Manage litigation affecting the group, including the prudential authority, by managing the litigation process with external counsel.
• Provide regular updates and progress reports on all instructions for the purpose of management information consistency of application of legislation/opinions to manage reputational and legal risk.

Successful incumbent must be in possession of

• At least an LLB degree (NQF 8) or an equivalent qualification; and 5-7 years of relevant work experience.
• Project management experience and managing complex projects.
• Stakeholder management experience - ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong written & verbal communication: clearly communicate legal concepts and advice to diverse audiences.
• Professional ethics & judgement: uphold high ethical standards and demonstrate sound judgment in complex situations.
• Listening, assertiveness, problem-solving & analysis: active listening, effectively communicate solutions, and analyze complex legal issues.
• Decision-making & relationship management: ability to make informed decisions and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Self-starter with attention to detail: proactive, organized, and meticulous.
• Presentation & organizational skills: effectively present legal information and manage workload efficiently.

Fempower Personnel