Head of Business Unit: Corporate Legal Services at Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)

Job Description

• Provide strategic and operational direction and management to deliver a full range of general legal services to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), to maintain regulatory compliance by the FIC and to facilitate corporate governance for the (FIC). 

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

•  Determine the deliverables for the Corporate Legal Services (CLS) business unit in accordance with the FIC’s strategic objectives.
•  Ensure that the FIC’s policies and procedures support the FIC’s delivery on its mandate and strategy.
•  Identify opportunities and make recommendations for adjustment of future strategic objectives to accommodate changes in the FIC’s operational environment.

MANAGE DELIVERY
 Manage all operations in the CLS business unit, including the:

•  review of all legal documents e.g. procurement and employment contracts,
•  provision of legal advice and support to management and FIC,
•  provision of advice to the FIC on compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements,
•  management of the FIC’s legal representation in litigation and other legal matters, and
•  implementation and maintenance of a corporate governance framework for FIC, to ensure that it achieves its deliverables through:

Planning

•  Design and develop, and oversee, the implementation of business policies and processes for the CLS business unit.
• Monitor performance of the business and identify possible obstacles that will prevent it from achieving its objectives.
•  Develop and adjust plans and resource allocations to accommodate changes in circumstances.

Budgeting

•  Determine the resource requirements of the CLS business unit and make recommendations for budget planning.
•  Develop the operational budget for the business unit and allocate available resources effectively in accordance with the FIC’s priorities.
•  Manage the efficient use of financial and other resources by the staff members in the business unit.

Stakeholder management

•  Liaise with external stakeholders, including litigants, legal practitioners, service providers, members of governance committees and representatives of oversight bodies, to ensure protection of the FIC’s interests and the FIC’s compliance with its regulatory and governance requirements.

People management

 Manage delivery of the staff members of the CLS business unit, including:

•  manage performance of direct reports,
•  manage training of staff to maintain and enhance skills that ensures achievement of their operational deliverables,
•  Provide mentorship to improve to staff,
•  Allocate tasks and delegate responsibility within the business unit,
•  Manage the development and implementation of the business unit’s recruitment plans,
•  Manage skills development within the business unit,
•  Oversee the integration of staff members in the business unit;
•  Participate in the FIC’s talent management and recruitment processes.

Governance, risk management, compliance .

 Ensure that the CLS business unit meets the risk management and compliance requirements, including:

•  Oversee the development of operational policies, procedures & systems for the business unit,
•  Manage the identification of operational risks within the business unit,
•  Manage the development of operational risk management plans for the business unit,
•  Oversee the business unit’s reporting on the management of its operational risks,
•  Oversee adherence by the staff of the business unit to all FIC and divisional policies and procedures,
•  Oversee proper records and information management in the business unit;
•  Contribute to operational management of the FIC by participating in management structures and committees.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• LLB degree (NQF level 7 and above)
• 10 years’ legal and compliance experience with five (5) years at management level leading a team of policy and legal professionals.
• Demonstrated proficiency in application of legal instruments.
• Demonstrated capability to interact effectively with top management.