Trade Compliance Specialist at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Key responsibilities:

• Documenting and maintaining the Trade Compliance regulatory universe of the organisation. Keeping abreast of regulatory developments which impact the CSIR.
• Continuously monitor local and international trends and best practice initiatives to support the trade practices within the CSIR.
• Developing and maintaining Trade Compliance policies, frameworks, and standard operation procedures for the CSIR.
• Maintain and implement the Third-Party Risk Management and Due Diligence Framework for trade compliance activities and support the design and application of the end-to-end Third-Party Risk Management processes that is efficient and scalable.
• Continuously support the Supply Chain Management Portfolio / Imports-Exports in ensuring that requirements and business processes associated with cross-border movements function smoothly, while also ensuring that risks are identified in a timely manner and managed efficiently.
• Build professional relationships with regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders to ensure that CSIR initiatives, applications and registrations are appropriately understood, maintained, and addressed.
• Provide support and advice to Divisional Executives and Cluster Executive Managers (and their teams) on trade compliance considerations in contracting for and execution of contracts.
• Coordinate, collate and make timely submissions to Trade Compliance authorities/government agencies of information required to support applications for registration of the CSIR or CSIR laboratories and facilities for contracting permits, end- user certificates, and various imports and export permits. 
• Ensure that the applications are tracked and appropriate follow-up is made to completion.
• Provide Legal and Compliance (L&C) management and internal CSIR clients with timeous feedback and progress on applications and registrations.
• Compile and develop Trade Compliance training and awareness plan. 
• Conduct training and awareness sessions and develop training material on Trade Compliance requirements applicable to the CSIR to all affected parties and stakeholders
• Compile a monitoring plan on all Trade Compliance activities, to timeously identify, assess, and report on any Trade Compliance risks identified. 
• Assist the L&C management to develop controls to mitigate relevant compliance risks identified in the business.
• Coordinate and support the business in all regulatory audits or inspections that take place within Trade Compliance matters. 
• Assist the business in closing gaps or non-compliance issues identified during regulatory audits.
• Harness and use technological tools to efficiently fulfil Trade Compliance functions.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

•  A Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Law or Commerce or Risk Management or Logistics or Customs and Excise and/or Import/Exports with at least six years' experience as a Trade Compliance Specialist or Trade Compliance Officer.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Compliance or International Trade or Law or Risk Management or Imports-Exports or Customs Excise or International Trade will be advantageous.
• Certified Compliance Professional  or Certified Risk Professional, Certifications in Logistics or Customs Excise, and/or Import /Exports will be advantageous.
• Proven knowledge and experience in Trade Compliance requirements associated with scientific research and defence projects. 
• Strong knowledge of Trade Compliance multilateral treaties and United Nations (UN) resolutions, local laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Experience in managing regulatory inspections and audits, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships with the applicable authorities. 
• Building strategic partnerships 
• Customer Service Orientation
• Driving Performance
• Programme and project management
• Conflict Management
• Excellence / quality orientation
• Strategic thinking and decision making
• Thought leadership
• Collaboration
• Verbal and Written Communication