Contracts Consultant at Sanlam Group

To check the work of junior team members where applicable, which fully comply with all requests (from client) and conditions (of the administrator and insurer if applicable) and any relevant legislation or legal practices, within a certain time frame.

Context of the role and environment

Legislation

• Pension Funds Act
• Income Tax Act
• Other relevant legislation, i.e. POPI Act, Consumer Protection Act, Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 2002, etc - anything that might impact the rules of retirement funds.

Technology

• Doclink/Content Manager
• Word/Outlook/Excel
• FSCA Circulars/Board Notices/PF’s/Information Circulars.
• SARS Practice Notes/General Notes
• Dependent on input from consultants and other Departments
• Changing Environment/Industry
• Diverse client needs
• Change in company/business unit strategy may have impact on work processes.
   

Main Responsibilities

Documentation

• The drafting and finalisation of standard and non-standard rules and/or rule amendments, based on our Master Rules, where possible, and drafting new wording, where necessary, in respect of funds administered by SEB RFA as well as external clients with which we have contracted to perform the drafting function.
• Drafting and signing of administration policies for insurer administered funds.
• Checking of the work of junior team members, providing in-task training and coaching where applicable.

Dealing with clients/authorities

• Negotiations with CRM’s/consultants/clients/actuaries regarding wording. Where necessary the help of the Manager can be obtained, but the requirement is for the staff member to be able to do a percentage of this work on his/her own. Informing involved parties if they do not understand legislation correctly and request changes to the rules which cannot be implemented.
• Dealing with FSCA queries with regard to registration and approval issues. Negotiate and argue re queries we do not agree with.
• Manage registration and approval of documents by FSCA ensuring the client’s documents remain compliant with relevant legislation.
• Negotiations with SEB Core Operations/SUS Product House where provisions might impact their processes.

System development

• Assisting Manager with system development and maintenance for generation of the Master Rules (Ghostdraft). This entails a thorough knowledge of the benefits provided by retirement funds and how changes to legislation/trends in the industry would impact the Master Rules.

Self management

• Staying up to date with changes to relevant legislation.
• Work delivered within contracted turnaround times
• Prioritised work.
• Well managed time/work
   

Qualifications And Experience

• Matric (Grade 12) preferably with high marks in English and Afrikaans and a good pass in Maths.
• A suitable Diploma/Higher Diploma/Degree from an institution supporting the Employee Benefits Industry.
• A legal degree (advantage).
• At least 15 years experience in Employee Benefits - preferably in rule drafting.
  
   

Knowledge

It is imperative to stay on top of changes in legislation as clients call in expecting us to know what is happening in the industry.

In-depth knowledge needed of:

• Legislation applicable to retirement fund industry
• The Sanlam master rule provisions and the reason for the provisions being incorporated into the master rules. NB. This will be taught if external application.

Good working knowledge needed of:

• Retirement fund industry
• Products, processes and services of SEB RFA
• Insured benefits provided by retirement funds and unapproved insured benefits available in the market
• MS Word/MS Access/Contract Working Papers/Content Manager/Postbook/Excel
• New Business rules and processes