(1040) Lead Legal Counsel x 3 - LSD

Brief description

The main purpose of these three positions is to provide comprehensive and effective legal advice relating to legislative, regulatory and litigious issues within the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Group, including the Prudential Authority (PA), with a special focus area on:

• Banking and financial sector law (Banks Act 94 of 1990read with the Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017 (FSRA));

• Insurance and financial sector law (Insurance Act 18 of 2017 read with FSRA);

• Financial sector law (including financial market infrastructure, Corporation for Deposit Insurance and Resolution.

The incumbent may also be required to lead a team of legal consultants in the provision of legal advice and contribute proactively to the mitigation of legal risk within the SARB and the PA.

Detailed description

The successful candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following key performance areas:

• Proactively identify, address and manage potential legal risks within the SARB and the PA.
• Conduct and integrate legal research.
• Take responsibility for monitoring, reviewing and commenting on local and international legislation, regulation and policies that have an impact on the mandate of the SARB and the PA, and advise senior management on any developments.
• Steer legal processes for internal clients on complex legal challenges and disputes affecting their operations.
• Provide legal advice, opinions and guidance to the SARB and the PA on legal, regulatory and supervisory matters.
• Participate in negotiations to draft and conclude agreements on relevant positions, policies, principles, litigation matters and regulatory action matters, in consultation with senior management in the Legal Services Department.
• Initiate legislative amendments or review drafts of new legislation in accordance with standard policies and procedures to address specific concerns of the SARB and the PA.
• Lead special projects to ensure that mandated and informed positions are developed and presented to stakeholders.
• Support and maintain strong professional relationships with panel attorneys’ firms and manage litigation in accordance with standard policies and procedures in conjunction with panel firms.
• Conduct research on a wide range of matters, including matters on legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks that have an impact on SARB and the PA.
• Take responsibility for addressing issues pertaining to relevant legislation applicable to the SARB and the PA.
• Represent the department, the SARB and the PA on national, regional and international committees and report on, and provide guidance, advice and legal opinions to, the above-mentioned committees.
• Participate in various relevant legal practice groups of the Legal Service Department as a member or as lead.
• Contribute to and support the strategic objectives of LSD and the SARB Group.
• Review and draft relevant SARB and PA policies.
• Institutionalise processes to enhance efficiencies within the SARB and the PA.
• Mentor and develop legal counsel.