Legal Counsel - Technology & Data Privacy

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote work

Medical aid

Retirement contributions

Continuous professional development

Annual performance bonus

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Legal Counsel specializing in technology and data privacy for a fully remote role in South Africa. You will advise on SaaS, cloud, cybersecurity, and data protection, aligning legal and privacy requirements with product development and security initiatives.

The ideal candidate holds an LLB and is admitted as an attorney in SA, with at least 6 years of post-qualification experience focusing on technology law and data privacy, and you will collaborate with

Qualifications

• LLB degree required and SA Attorney admission.
• 6+ years post-qualification experience in technology law and data privacy.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on technology-related agreements (SaaS, software licensing, cloud services, IT outsourcing).
• Advise on data privacy laws (POPIA, GDPR) and data protection.
• Develop and implement data privacy policies and training.
• Conduct DPIAs and privacy audits.
• Support cybersecurity initiatives and incident response.
• Review and negotiate technology contracts; mitigate risks.
• Advise on IP issues related to technology and data.
• Assist in managing technology-related disputes.
• Stay current with developments in tech, cybersecurity, and data privacy.

Skills

Tech law

Data privacy

Contract negotiation

Education

LLB degree

Admitted as Attorney (SA)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the digital solutions space, is actively seeking a highly skilled Legal Counsel to focus on Technology and Data Privacy. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere within South Africa. You will play a critical role in advising the company on a wide array of legal matters related to technology, software development, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data protection. Ensuring compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other relevant privacy regulations will be paramount. You will work closely with engineering, product, and security teams to embed legal and privacy considerations into product development and business operations. This role requires a proactive, tech-savvy legal professional adept at navigating the complexities of the digital world in a remote setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on technology-related agreements, including SaaS, software licensing, cloud services, and IT outsourcing.
• Advise on data privacy and data protection laws, including POPIA, GDPR, and other applicable regulations.
• Develop and implement data privacy policies, procedures, and training programs.
• Conduct data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) and privacy audits.
• Support cybersecurity initiatives and advise on incident response.
• Review and negotiate technology contracts, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks.
• Advise on intellectual property issues related to technology and data.
• Assist in managing and resolving technology-related disputes.
• Stay current with legal developments in technology, cybersecurity, and data privacy.

Requirements

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or equivalent qualification.
• Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• A minimum of 6 years of post-qualification experience, with a significant portion focused on technology law and data privacy.
• Demonstrated experience with technology transactions, data privacy laws (POPIA essential), and cybersecurity.
• Strong understanding of cloud computing, software licensing, and IP issues in tech.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and lead projects in a remote environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Experience with international data privacy regulations is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with expertise.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering exceptional flexibility and work-life balance.
• Comprehensive medical aid and hospitalization coverage.
• Generous contributions to a retirement fund.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development in the fast-evolving tech law landscape.
• Exposure to innovative technologies and cutting-edge legal challenges.
• A collaborative and agile remote team environment.
• Annual performance bonus.