Legal Counsel at Discovery Limited

Key Purpose

• Providing the highest quality legal advice to relevant internal and external stakeholders regarding all legal related matters to minimize risk of the organization.

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to

• Attend to and timeously resolve complaints on behalf of Discovery Life, Discovery Invest and the Discovery Retirement Funds to ensure the best possible outcome for these entities
• Pro-active analysis of legislation, regulatory updates and research on legal matters to ensure the best possible outcome for the various entities
• Providing sound legal advice to the different business units to ensure decisions are correct and justifiable
• Preparation of Legal publications, legal updates and guidance notes to business
• Review of Fund documentation, marketing brochures, publications, policy wordings etc. from a legal perspective
• Preparation of agenda packs for board of trustee meetings and sub-committees’ meetings
• Participation in Board of Trustees’ meetings and capturing accurate minutes
• Fulfil the role of Monitoring Person in respect of sound corporate governance for retirement funds including oversight of S13A breaches and S14 transfers
• Providing first line compliance support in respect of the duties of the Funds’ Principal Officer
• Providing oversight on the drafting of General and Special Rules for the Funds
• The investigation of death claims and providing recommendations to the Death Claims sub- committee
• Drafting responses to complaints received via the Pension Funds Adjudicator
• Drafting responses to complaints received via the office of the Ombud for Long term Insurance
• Building and maintaining relationships within internal business units and the relevant Regulatory bodies
• To conduct legal analysis and research on various legal matters

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Drives Results
• Values Driven
• Optimistic
• Learns on the Fly
• Resilient
• Instils Trust
• People Savvy
• Problem Solver
• Manages Complexity
• Balances Stakeholders

Addition attributes

• Excellent drafting skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to deliver quality results under time pressure
• Ability to present findings and reports at meetings with internal and external stakeholders

Education and Experience
Qualification

• Matric
• Bachelor of Laws qualification
• Post graduate qualification in insurance and/or financial services
• Admitted attorney with litigation experience (Advantageous)

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience within the financial services industry dealing with employee benefits, investments and/or group risk
• Experience in drafting of contracts and fund rules
• Experience in the application of the Policyholder Protection Rules
• Experience with Group Risk Insurance cover

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of Retirement Fund Compliance and Governance
• Knowledge of the King IV Principles of Corporate Governance
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation
• Long and Short-term insurance experience, including policy drafting and risk benefits related advice
• Knowledge of Long Insurance legislation
• Knowledge of the Pension Funds Act and related legislation
• Knowledge of Income Tax legislation