Lead Policy Analyst at South African Reserve Bank

Brief description                                                                                                 

The main purpose of this position is to conduct financial sector prudential policy-related research and analysis in order to monitor and influence the policy positions of international financial sector standard-setting bodies as well as local policy matters set by National Treasury and the legislator. Deliverables will include drafting prudential policy papers, policy positions and regulatory instruments. The role includes engaging with National Treasury, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), financial sector regulators, industry and other stakeholders on supporting the South African stance on policy and regulatory matters, with a specific focus on financial market instruments.

Detailed description

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

• Implement the Prudential Authority’s (PA) strategic objectives.
• Analyse the relevance/appropriateness of international standards on highly specialised fields in banking, insurance and financial market infrastructures, with a specific focus on financial market infrastructures, structured debt instruments and market risk.
• Develop/refine policy tools/frameworks on banking, insurance, financial market infrastructures and all related work in terms of the Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017 (FSR Act), with a specific focus on financial market infrastructures, structured debt instruments and market risk.
• Administer and implement prudential policy and regulatory instruments.
• Design and implement cooperation and collaboration mechanisms with the SARB for the purposes of financial stability.
• Analyse domestic and global regulations and the impact of these in financial market infrastructures.
• Monitor global prudential policy implementation frameworks and the impact of these on local regulatory frameworks.
• Provide highly specialised and detailed regulatory frameworks on prudential regulation in the context of the FSR Act as well as on the regulatory framework for financial market infrastructures.
• Draft regulatory frameworks and instruments.
• Influence international standard-setting bodies and possibly represent the PA at such forums.
• Represent the PA in Parliament and other forums on policy matters and legislation.
• Adopt and adapt international standards to South African requirements in order to be purpose-specific to South Africa, yet compliant with international criteria.
• Be a custodian of the PA policy process and related governance processes.
• Coordinate and complete international surveys.
• Brief divisional heads, heads of department, the PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Governor and deputy governors and others on policy positions on specialised topics.
• Represent the PA at various public forums (e.g. training, lecturing and presentations at conferences).
• Coordinate the PA ‘house view’ in collaboration with the SARB and other regulators.
• Conduct and coordinate ad hoc research on prudential-related topics.
• Draft speeches and similar documents for the PA CEO, Governor and deputy governors on specialist topics.
• Prepare briefings on specialist topics for the PA CEO, Governor and deputy governors as well as heads of department to represent the PA/SARB view locally and internationally.
• Take ownership and responsibility for the implementation of microprudential matters within the mandate of the PA and in support of the financial stability mandate of the SARB.

QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, candidates must be in possession of:

• a Postgraduate degree (NQF 9) in Law (preferable), Finance, Accounting, Insurance/Banking or Economics; and
• 12 years’ experience in the financial markets infrastructure sector, financial sector or risk management environment.

Additional requirements include:

knowledge of: 

• the financial sector, specifically financial markets infrastructures, structured debt instruments and market risk;
• corporate governance and risk management practices and standards;
• international principles on financial market infrastructures, structured debt instruments and market risk;
• insurance core principles, solvency II or solvency assessment and management;
• banking core principles and Basel III;
• problem-solving and analytical skills;
• planning and organising skills;
• verbal and written communication skills;
• strong presentation skills;
• financial and business acumen;
• team player;
• self-starter;
• attention to detail; and
• confidentiality.