Legal Manager

South African National Blood Service

Roodepoort

On-site

ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in Gauteng seeks a senior in-house legal counsel to provide risk-based legal advice, manage litigation, draft and review contracts, and train staff on laws and standards. You will engage regulators, oversee contract management, support governance processes, and help implement compliance programs across SANBS.

The role requires 5–8 years post admission, with leadership experience and strong knowledge of corporate law, procurement, and risk

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws and admission as attorney/advocate.
5 to 8 years post admission legal experience.
5 years at managerial level.
Willingness to travel nationally.

Responsibilities

Provide competent legal advice to SANBS, the Board and committees.
Manage litigation and minimise costs including ADR options.
Draft and review contracts to protect SANBS interests.
Support risk and compliance management and governance.
Provide training on laws, codes and standards to staff and board.
Liaise with regulators and stakeholders on regulatory matters.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Judgement and Decision Making

Problem Solving

Contract Management

Leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Financial acumen

Legislative literacy

MS Office

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Master's degree advantageous

Admission as attorney/advocate

Tools

MS Office Suite

MS Word

Job description

Provide SANBS with relevant risk-based legal advice.Manage SANBS litigation efficiently and effectively.Ensure SANBS complies with applicable laws, standards, policies, and codes in its operations andinteractions with stakeholders.Offer ad hoc legal advice to SANBS, the Board, and its committees.Stay informed about new laws and relevant case laws and keep SANBS updated.Engage with key stakeholders on behalf of SANBS, including regulators such as the Department ofHealth and the Medical Control Council, regarding regulatory matters.Draft and review contracts with stakeholders to minimise risk to SANBS.Oversee effective contract management.Provide training to SANBS employees on relevant laws, codes, and standards.

1.1. To provide competent legal advice to SANBS, the Board and its committees as well as the donorstructures.
1.2. Conduct legal research and analysis to anticipate and identify potential legal risks and implicationsassociated with various business activities, initiatives, and decisions.
1.3. To ensure SANBS adheres to applicable laws, standards, policies, and codes in its operations andinteractions with stakeholders.
1.4. To keep SANBS, the Board, its committees, and donor structures informed about relevant new laws,codes, standards, and case law.
1.5. To engage with relevant stakeholders on behalf of SANBS, including regulators such as theDepartment of Health and the Medical Controls Council on regulatory matters.
1.6. To educate SANBS employees, board and committee members, and donor groups on applicablelaws, codes, and standards.
1.7. Proactively assess and manage reputational risks arising from legal and compliance matters,ensuring SANBS maintains a positive public image and stakeholder confidence.
1.8. Provide guidance and support in crisis management situations, helping to mitigate reputationaldamage and developing effective communication strategies.
1.9. Source specialist legal advice when required.
1.10. Prepare legal opinions.
1.11. Provide guidance to the contract administrator and contract specialist roles.

KPA 2: Litigation Management and Dispute Resolution

2.1. Identify and assess potential litigation risks within SANBS.
2.2. Manage litigation and explore mechanisms to minimise costs for SANBS, including consideringAlternative Dispute Resolution options.
2.3. Consult with and provide clear instructions to lawyers.
2.4. Draft and review legal documents, including pleadings as necessary.
2.5. Monitor litigation matters in accordance with protocols governing corporate risk and strategies forminimising it.
2.6. Negotiate settlements of legal matters and disputes.
2.7. Negotiate fee rates with lawyers to reduce legal costs.
2.8. Manage and address findings from internal and external audits.

KPA 3: Draft and Review Contracts/Commercial Contract Management

3.1. Negotiate, draft and review contracts to safeguard the interests of SANBS.
3.2. Thoroughly negotiate and assess legal documents to ensure SANBS's interests are well protected
3.3. Draft SANBS contracts in a way that minimises risk exposure. This includes avoiding one-sided
indemnities and excluding liabilities that favour the parties contracting with SANBS.
3.4. Ensure all SANBS contracts comply with relevant legislation, codes, standards, and SANBS'sprocurement policy.
3.5. Sign off on contracts.
3.6. Ensure effective operation of contract management.
3.7. Hold regular meetings with the Contract Management team in the Procurement department.
3.8. Ensure that contracts are signed within the specified timeframes.
3.9. Ensure that the Procurement contract management team keeps an up-to-date contract register.
3.10. Discuss monthly updates on the status of the contracts with the Company Secretary and EXCO.

KPA 4: Risk and Compliance Management

4.1. Co-ordinate and compile the department's monthly and quarterly reports. Edits and proofreadsreports and presentations.
4.2. Assist in identifying and adhering to fraud controls, risk prevention principles, sound governance andcompliance processes, and tools to identify and manage risks.
4.3. Support and provide evidence to all internal and external audit requirements.
4.4. Adhere to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures throughout theorganisation.
4.5. Conduct regular workshops for to ensure the correct interpretation and application of the of relatedlegislation.

KPA 5: Lease Agreement Management

5.1. Review lease agreements.
5.2. Review lease agreement registers.
5.3. Ensure the effective management of lease agreements across all zones.
5.4. Conduct monthly meetings with the contract administrator and contract specialist to discuss leaseagreements.
5.5. Provide quarterly reports on lease agreements to the Executive Committee (EXCO).

KPI 6: Research Study and Project Agreements Management

6.1. Review research and project agreements.
6.2. Review the research study register.
6.3. Ensure effective management of research and project agreements across SANBS.
6.4. Hold monthly meetings with the Contract Administrator and Contract Specialist regarding researchagreements.
6.5. Provide quarterly updates to EXCO on research study and project agreements.

7.1. Review the Directors & Officers insurance portfolio in discussion with the Company Secretary.
7.2. Provide training to SANBS employees, Board, committees, and donor structures on relevant laws,codes and standards.
7.3. Ensure that all SANBS statutory documents, including title deeds, are up to date and in order.
7.4. In executing the duties outlined in this document and elsewhere, always ensure adherence to thehighest standards of corporate governance, including King IV.
7.5. Attend to any other reasonable instructions from the Company Secretary.
7.6. Provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to a team of contract administrators and specialists,promoting their professional growth while ensuring the delivery of high-quality contractmanagement services.
7.7. Oversee the personnel reporting to this role, ensuring Scorecards are established and performanceevaluations are carried out as scheduled.
7.8. Develop and maintain strategic relationships with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the
department can fulfil its tasks effectively and efficiently.

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