Legal Advisor: Corporate Operations at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description    

• The Legal Advisor is responsible for providing legal advice, including negotiation, drafting of various legal documents, dispute resolution through interpreting and applying relevant legislation and regulations and mitigating legal risk. The role protects the organisation’s interests through effective legal guidance, contract reviews, and dispute resolution.

Key Responsibilities    
Legal Advisory Services and Contracting

• Provide legal advice and support to DBSA’s corporate units, including Corporate Services, Finance, Treasury, Procurement, Strategy, Information Communications Technology (ICT), Communications and Marketing units.
• Provide general legal advice on procurement, supply chain and tender process.
• Provide legal guidance on negotiations with the service providers and consultants.
• Participate in governance and management committees to provide legal context on legal matters raised.
• Provide support in liaising with external attorneys and prepare a comprehensive brief for attorneys.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad scope of corporate legal contracts, including corporate operations, consultancy, software/hardware support, lease, finance and grant agreements.
• Review and verify that contractual terms adequately protect the organisation’s interests and align with applicable legal requirements.
• Maintain oversight of contractual obligations and guide contract interpretation.

Compliance and Regulatory Support

• Research and communicate the risks and legal issues involved in a broad range of commercial transactions and operational issues specific to DBSA’s corporate unit.
• Review all documents and decisions made for compliance with various legislation, policies and regulations.
• Monitor and advise on relevant legislative and regulatory developments impacting the organisation.
• Support the implementation of governance and compliance frameworks.

Dispute Resolution and Litigation

• Provide legal guidance on corporate disputes and potential litigation matters.
• Liaise and brief external legal counsel on disputes and litigation matters and provide all required information.
• Assess cases and support the organisation in resolving disputes in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to provide practical and commercially sound legal solutions.
• Build effective working relationships with business units to support informed decision-making.
• Provide legal training and awareness on legal and regulatory developments to internal stakeholders.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Time taken to prepare and or review contracts, agreements and legal opinions.
• Quality and accuracy of agreements, opinions and solutions provided.
• Effective management of legal claims and litigation risks.
• Management of total case/agreement/opinion / other legal costs.
• No litigation due to contractual errors and or omissions.
• Effective monitoring of the contracts and agreements.
• Clean audit.

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
Minimum Qualification

• A Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) or Legal postgraduate qualification.
• Admitted Attorney/Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in commercial, financial, banking or corporate law gained at a commercial bank, law firm, DFI, corporate entity, SOE or similar institution.
• Demonstrated experience in corporate legal advisory, including procurement law, strategic relationships, commercial contracting, employment law, ICT contracting and corporate governance.
• Understanding of a highly regulated environment, such as a DFI, finance services institution or state-owned entities.
• Understanding of PFMA, Treasury Regulations, PAIA, POPIA and PPPFA.
• Proven experience in contract drafting, legal risk management, dispute resolution and regulatory compliance.

Desirable Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification in law.
• Experience working with a State Owned Entity, financial services or banking industry.

Deadline:31st March,2026