Paralegal / Legal Secretary

To determine the strategy for the Legal Department and the Human Capital Department.

Provide input into the strategic direction of the NEF and its Subsidiaries as well as provide leadership in the development for the continuous evaluation of short and long-term strategic objectives.

The General Counsel plays a significant role in developing relationships with key external third parties and assisting with raising third party funds for the organisation.

Work with departmental leadership and key stakeholders across the business in overseeing and ensuring legal compliance across the business, maintaining the business's integrity both internally and externally (reputational risk).

Legal Department

1. Oversee the provision of high quality legal counsel to fund management division and to other support departments.
2. Ensure turnaround times from approval to disbursement are met.
3. Manage clients in litigation and maximise collections from litigation and collection processes.
4. Manage the legal budget and maximise impact from expenditure.

Operational Support

1. Fulfil the role of Chairperson on internal committees as decided in terms of the Delegation of Authority Matrix.
2. Ensure that legal support is provided to the portfolio departments.
3. Act as an expert in providing guidance and support with restructures and turnarounds.
4. Be well acquainted with various laws including BBBEE laws, FAIS, FICA, and the PFMA.
5. Assist in management and monitoring of distressed clients working with relevant divisions.
6. Develop portfolio reporting framework for litigation matters and report to the relevant forums.
7. Oversee legal compliance matters and provide guidance to the legal compliance team.
8. Assist the Marketing and Communications department with approval of assigned matters.
9. Stay abreast of relevant legal developments and ensure that all relevant developments affecting the NEF are brought to the attention of the Executive Committee and other relevant structures.

Human Capital Department

1. Oversee the management of the Human Capital Department.
2. Develop/update the Human Capital Strategy.
3. Ensure that the Human Capital strategy is aligned to the organisation's strategy.
4. Ensure that the Human Capital department provides an enabling environment for employees.
5. Champion the employee needs at a strategic level.
6. Ensure that the organisation is optimally resourced subject to available resources.
7. Oversee the activities of the Human Capital and Remuneration Committee.
8. Ensure there are up to date processes to manage performance and disciplinary matters.

Executive Role

1. The General Counsel is a member of the Executive Committee and must participate competently in all activities involving the Executive.
2. Invitee to Board meetings and board subcommittee meetings.
3. Establish a working relationship with the DTIC CFO and GCFO as well as other key DFI stakeholders.
4. Perform tasks as assigned by the CEO.

People Management

1. Ensure performance contracts of all divisional staff are completed by deadline.
2. Conduct performance reviews of all staff based on timelines.
3. Provide leadership to the division.
4. Ensure optimal and strategic resourcing including proper succession planning.

Ad Hoc

1. Deal with complaints and parliamentary queries / assist in responding to queries.
2. Resolve all audit findings for units timeously.

Qualification Requirements

Master's degree an advantage. Admitted attorney.

Experience / Skills Required

1. Minimum 10 years relevant experience.
2. Experience in successfully handling commercial law matters, litigation matters, human resources matters, compliance and regulatory matters.
3. High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation.
4. Ability to strategize and solve problems.
5. Strong leadership and organizational skills.
6. Proven and successful experience creating departmental priorities that align strategic direction of the legal department and the overall business objectives.
7. Successful experience leading negotiations on complex, high-value contracts, and agreements.

Personal Attributes / Behaviours / Attitudes

1. Ability to manage stakeholders.
2. Able to work under pressure.
3. Understanding of and ability to follow procedures.
4. Able to challenge matters if there are concerns with regulatory or policy issues.
5. Able to interrogate information and raise / escalate for further attention where necessary.
6. Excellence / Quality Orientation.
7. Ethical Judgement.
8. Resilience and Stress Management.
9. Drive and Results Orientation.
10. Time and Self-Management.
11. Self-starter and independent worker.
12. Visibility in office environment.
13. Agility and able to assume additional responsibilities.