Board Secretariat - Centurion at Road Accident Fund

Purpose of the Job: 

The Board Secretariat is primarily responsible to perform duties and responsibilities in line with the relevant legislation and regulations to ensure that the RAF complies with its statutory obligations, as well as to oversee and direct the execution of all required official corporate filings, documents, reports and records according to applicable laws and regulations. The incumbent will also be responsible to provide secretarial services to the Board of Directors.

Key Performance Areas

Compliance and Corporate Governance

• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and corporate governance best practice.
• Monitor the activities of the RAF to ensure compliance with its own policies and procedures.
• Ensure proper maintenance of the RAF statutory records and registers as legislated.
• Provide interpretation of the relevant legislation to the Board.

Board Support as per King Principles.

• Assist the Department of Transport (Shareholder) and ensure that the procedure for the appointment of the Board and the Chairperson is properly carried out.
• Provide guidance to individual directors and the Board collectively on their responsibilities and duties and how such responsibilities and duties should be properly discharged in the best interest of the RAF.
• Ensure that the Board is informed and technically abreast of all changes in legislation affecting the RAF.
• Provide practical support and guidance to the Chairperson of the Board and Chairperson of Board’s committee.
• Ensure that the Board and Board committee charters and terms of reference are reviewed annually.
• Ensure that the board conducts an annual risk assessment.
• Ensure that the proceedings of the Board and Board committees are properly recorded and that minutes of meetings are circulated to the members of the Board in a timely manner, after approval of the Chairperson of the Board and Board committees.
•  Oversee the preparation of agendas for meetings after consultation with the relevant Chairperson and the CEO.
• Ensure that action plans are in place to address issues identified in terms of the Board’s annual assessment.

Strategy Development and Operational Planning

• Develop Board Secretariat business strategy and plan that ensure alignment with short-term and long-term objectives developed in tandem with the CEO and the Board.
• Drive the development, implementation and annual review of an overall Strategic Plan for the respective department and ensure that the departmental activities are aligned to the approved RAF strategy, annual performance plan and the Board Committee goals/ outcomes.
• Determine and set specific key performance indicators and measures against outcomes detailed in the departmental strategic plans.
• Present a plan of the current and future interventions necessary to achieve acceptable levels and standards of Board in alignment with the RAF strategy and mandate.
• Planning of the annual board strategic planning workshop.

Administrative Duties with Prudential Authority (PA).

• Notify DoT of the appointment, resignation or dismissal of executive and Board Members.
• Ensure completion of Declaration of Interest Form by Board Members serving the Fund – in line with section 10(2)(a).
• Ensure filing of the board approved PA quarterly report within a month of the end of the quarter.
• Facilitate PA risk based on-site visits.
• Compile required information as well as to provide documentation as requested in terms of the Act.
• Ensure filing of the annual audited quarterly report as approved by the Board within 5 months after the end of the financial year.
• Act as the communication between DoT and the RAF – first point of entry.

Administrative Duties.

• Design the Board agenda to be relevant and pertinent to the RAF’s business imperatives.
• Ensure proper record management as required in terms of applicable legislation.
• Issue notices of all meetings including the AGM.
• Reports compiled and filed within agreed timeframes.
• Communicate decisions and action items to executive management.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain good working relations with stakeholders including staff, claimants, lawyers, regulators, government, departments etc.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to promote the RAF image.
• Prioritise communication with all levels of stakeholder contact.
• Ensure adequate representation of the Fund in relevant external activities and events.
• Maintain proactive and progressive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Maintain a good working relationship with the Shareholder (DoT), National Treasury, Parliamentary Committees Officials and Regulators.

Financial Management

• Ensure sufficient internal control measures are implemented for adherence to PFMA, RAF and other relevant legislation and regulation.
• Manage, monitor and control the department expense budget.

People Management

• Ensure he sourcing, development and retention of a high-performance team.
• Ensure that recruitment of operational workforce is in line with employment equity targets.
• Ensure implementation of human capital processes and procedures to control/ regulate workplace conflict and/ or institute corrective measures and consultation processes to address deviations from standards.
• Manage and monitor performance of the team and implement corrective actions for poor performance.

Reporting

• Report quarterly on progress with implementation of operational plans.
• Lead the development of functional reporting systems, for management, project or performance reporting.
• Ensure regular and periodic reports are prepared and submitted as and when required to provide progress updates and/ or inform management decisions.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Business/ Law/ Commerce.
• Post graduate qualification in Business/ Law/ Commerce.
• Member of Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (CGISA) or Institute of Directors South Africa (IODSA) will be an added advantage.
• Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (CGISA) certification or Institute of Directors South Africa (IODSA) certification will be an added advantage.
• Relevant 9 - 10 years’ experience in core secretarial services of which 3 years must have been in working with the Board and Board Committees and demonstrated experience in advising Chairperson of the Board/ Board Committee Chairperson on matters of governance, compliance, and best practice.
• Extensive corporate governance experience in public sector.
• Experience in the private sector corporate governance will be an added advantage.
• Proven experience in drafting minutes, interpreting statutes and corporate governance.

Technical, Managerial, and Behavioral Competencies Required

• Results Orientation
• Strategic capability
• Compliance and Governance
• Leadership Agility
• Resilience
• Ethics and Values
• Change Management.
• Risk Management.
• Stakeholder Development and Relations.
• Thorough knowledge of PFMA and other related legislation.
• Corporate Governance Procedures.
• King IV Report.
• Protocol on good corporate governance in SOE’s.
• Knowledge of interpretation of statutes.
• MVA knowledge advantageous.
• Strong planning and organizing abilities, problem solving and analytical abilities.
• Excellent English communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal).