General Manager: Legal Services at The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The incumbent will develop and implement the vision and strategy for the Legal department to ensure adequate legal support is provided to the organization.  The incumbent will also manage legal issues across SANRAL by monitoring legal and litigation trends and translating them into business plans and legal strategies. He/she will further be required to establish systems and processes to ensure the delivery of effective legal services for SANRAL.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• An LLB and Post-graduate degree in Law.
• At least 10 years’ experience post-admission as an Attorney or 10 years’ experience post-admission as an Advocate who has passed the bar exam.
• Experience in legislative drafting.
• A detailed understanding of the public sector.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the constitution and a wide scope of legislative framework which includes, but is not limited to, the PAIA, PAJA, PPPFMA, PFMA, the National Roads Act/South African National Roads Agency Limited Act, Companies Act, relevant case law and other related legislations.
• Advanced skills in drafting and vetting contracts and service level agreements
• Valid driver’s license and must be willing to travel.

ADVANTAGEOUS

• Experience in mediation, arbitration, and negotiation is advantageous.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Ability to build and maintain relationships and networks both internally and externally.
• Articulate with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Assertive and analytical.
• Attention to detail.
• Collaborative working, negotiation and persuasiveness.
• Excellent interpersonal, people management and leadership skills.
• Excellent legal research skills.
• High level of accountability.
• Knowledge of applicable law with road transport and SANRAL.
• Solid decision-making capability.
• Strong values and integrity.
• Understanding of Corporate Governance principles.
• Willingness to create a climate for optimal performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise on and assist SANRAL in a professional manner on a variety of legislative and legal requests.
• Advise on and assist with the management of all contracts, Service Level Agreements, and other legal instruments.
• Attend to litigation, conciliation, and arbitration that involves SANRAL.
• Comply with governance in terms of legislative and audit requirements.
• Contribute to the development process of SANRAL’s policies, procedures, and controls at various levels through input of legal advice on relevant aspects.
• Cultivate and manage objective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, to ensure that the organization can obtain expert opinion on specialist areas of Law.
• Develop a contract management system and archiving of documents.
• Develop legislative amendments and regulations.
• Draft and negotiate all types of contracts as well as advise senior and management.
• Draft, update, and review contracts and other legal instruments.
• Ensure transformation on outsourced legal work.
• Formulate, and manage the Legal Services budget.
• Identify and communicate current and anticipated legal risks.
• Implement a workable infrastructure to ensure conformity with the understanding of the legislative framework.
• Keep abreast of new legislation and regulatory changes and manage the team’s response.
• Keep the organisation apprised of relevant legislative and policy developments and ensure their understanding.
• Maintain expert knowledge of relevant legislative amendments, industry best practices and provision of proactive and holistic advice and solutions to relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain ongoing communications with the Management Committee and escalate legal concerns as and when they arise.
• Manage the Legal department and develop a litigation strategy for SANRAL.
• Monitor, measure, and report on any legal matter that has an implication on SANRAL.
• Negotiate settlement on legal matters.
• Oversee the daily management of the legal function and provide accurate, timely, and pragmatic legal advice to support the organisation’s objectives.
• Participate in the planning, preparation, and delivery of legal-related training.
• Represent the Legal department at meetings, providing support and guidance, paying particular attention to legal and all relevant regulatory-related implications, and present possible solutions.
• Set legal standards for documentation and agreements drafted or perused by the Legal department.