General Counsel at National Empowerment Fund

Job description

Legal Department

• Oversee the provision of high quality legal counsel to fund management division and to other support departments 
• Ensure turnaround times from approval to disbursement are met 
• Manage clients in litigation and maximise collections from litigation and collection processes. 
• Manage the legal budget and maximise impact from expenditure 

Operational Support

• To fulfil the role of Chairperson on internal committees as decided in terms of the Delegation of Authority Matrix 
• Ensure that legal support is provided to the portfolio departments 
• Act as an expert in providing guidance and support with restructures and turnarounds 
• To be an expert and well acquainted with various laws including BBBEE laws, FAIS, FICA and the PFMA 
• Assist in management and monitoring of distressed clients working with relevant divisions 
• Develop portfolio reporting framework for litigation matters and report to the relevant forums 
• Oversee legal compliance matters and provide guidance to the legal compliance team 
• Assist the Marketing and Communications department with approval of assigned matters 
• To be abreast of relevant legal developments and ensure that all relevant developments affecting the
  NEF as brought to the attention of the Executive Committee and other relevant structures

Human Capital Department

• Oversee the management of the Human Capital Department 
• Develop/update the Human Capital Strategy 
• Ensure that the Human Capital strategy is aligned to the organisation’s strategy 
• Ensure that the Human Capital department provides an enabling environment for employees 
• Champion the employee needs at a strategic level 
• Responsible to ensure that the organisation is optimally resourced subject to available resources 
• Oversee the activities of the Human Capital and Remuneration Committee 
• Oversee that there are up to date processes to manage performance and disciplinary matters and oversee all matters which fall within those aspects 

Executive Role

• The General Counsel is a member of the Executive Committee and must participate competently on all activities involving the Executive 
• Invitee to Board meetings and board subcommittee meetings 
• The incumbent must establish a working relationship with the DTIC CFO and GCFO as well as other key DFI stakeholders 
• Perform tasks as assigned by the CEO 

People Management

• Performance contracts of all divisional staff by deadline 
• Conduct performance reviews of all staff based on timelines 
• Provide leadership to the division 
• Ensure optimal and strategic resourcing including proper succession planning

Ad Hoc

• Deal with complaints and parliamentary queries/ assist in responding to queries 
• Resolve all audit findings for units timeously

Minimum requirements

Qualification Requirements

• LLB Degree or relevant degree 
• Master’s degree an advantage 
• Admitted attorney

Experience / Skills Required

• Minimum 10 years relevant experience 
• Experience in successfully handling commercial law matters, litigation matters, human resources matters, compliance and regulatory matters 
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation. 
• Ability to strategize and solve problems 
• Strong leadership and organizational skills 
• Proven and successful experience creating departmental priorities that align strategic direction of the
  legal department and the overall business objectives
• Successful experience leading negotiations on complex, high value, contracts, and agreements.