Senior Finance & Accounting Manager

The main purpose of the job is to provide professional legal and advisory services on behalf of the INSETA.

This role is responsible for the review of legal and contractual risks and ensuring the efficient administration of legal-related matters.

Key Performance Areas

1. Legal advice and Opinions
2. Contribute to the successful implementation of the INSETA Excellence model.
3. Keep abreast of issues, anticipate changes in demand / regulatory changes and effect timely interventions to address the changes, working with the appropriate Heads to introduce these into the service.
4. Proactively and flexibly work with the other Legal Support Managers to improve the quality and efficiency of legal support services provided to the business, ensuring consistency of approach.
5. Take proactive steps together with divisions to mitigate any potential litigation matters that may impact the INSETA.
6. Advise on remedial action on non-conformance to performance standards.
7. Review legal instruments to ensure adequate protection of INSETA's interest.
8. Detect early warning of all risky and potentially litigious matters from divisions in order to provide timeous legal advice and avoid potential and unnecessary litigation.
9. Provide well-researched and cogent advice to divisions regarding potentially litigious matters.
10. Proactively manage external legal service providers by providing clear and well-informed instructions in pending litigation matters.
11. Provide general legal support and advice to management and divisions to protect the reputation of the INSETA.
12. Ensure that all records relating to all matters are properly kept and archived when matters are closed.
13. Manage and lead all projects and initiatives within the legal advisory services unit.
14. Provide capacity building and facilitate information sessions pertaining to all legal matters.

Contract Management

1. Responsible for drafting, vetting, reviewing, negotiating and re-negotiating of legal agreements, including service level, intermediary and binder, outsource agreements and other legal documentation.
2. Research and develop proposals on various strategic initiatives.
3. Implement an effective contract management system.
4. Develop and implement a procedure for termination and/or ceding of contracts as and when required.
5. Develop overall corporate legal policies and procedures.
6. Review INSETA's legislative objectives and mandate to assess the gaps among the legal frameworks.
7. Consult with divisions and external legal counsel on litigation strategy when required.
8. Coordinate internal stakeholders to prepare briefs and recommend litigation remedies.
9. Provide opinion, advice and interpretation of new legislation and regulations.

Organisational litigation

1. Provide written comments on litigation documents prepared by external legal counsel in order to ensure that the INSETA's position in all litigation matters is fully and properly articulated and thereby protect the INSETA's interest.
2. Research and draft legally sound, implementable and timely opinions as required by the INSETA to inform key decisions.
3. Provide sound advice on litigation matters.

Governance and Reporting

1. Advise INSETA on governance and legal matters.
2. Advise on matters of Good Governance; the Companies Act and King IV.
3. Coordinate and manage the support to the CEO in respect of Board and external meetings.
4. Review service of the panel of attorneys on a monthly basis and establish guidelines for the usage of the panel.
5. Liaise with external Attorneys and prepare comprehensive briefs to counsel as and when required.
6. Develop, monitor and/or review Dispute Resolution Framework.
7. Prepare reports for presentation to relevant governance structures.
8. Collaborate with the risk management in the review and maintenance of the INSETA Regulatory Universe and development of Compliance Risk Management Plans.
9. Develop and implement action plans in response to the legal operational Risk Register.
10. Contribute to the overall management of Risk.
11. Execute prudent and proper management of Legal Advisory Services in line with INSETA policies and Public Finance Management Act.
12. Develop a departmental budget and monitor efficient use of resources.

People Management

1. Manage individual and team performance in line with set performance targets.
2. Mentor and coach staff within the legal department where required and identify skills gaps and compile developmental plans for the team with clearly defined career paths and job enrichment opportunities.
3. Implement HR policies and procedures to control/regulate workplace conflict and initiate corrective measures and consultation to address deviations from standards.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

1. Qualifications: Grade 12 or equivalent plus an LLB (NQF 8) qualification Degree or equivalent.
2. Admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
3. Experience: A minimum of 5 years' experience in a management position providing Legal services (in Litigation, Contract Management and/or in Regulatory Compliance Environment).
4. 3 years' post-admission experience (as admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa).
5. Knowledge of Administrative, Civil, Criminal, Corporate and Contract Law.
6. Knowledge of contract management.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

1. Knowledge: Knowledge of legislations governing SETAs.
2. Strong corporate legal background dealing with reviewing and drafting of all types of commercial agreements.
3. Proven track record of providing relevant and appropriate legal counsel.
4. Proven track record in civil litigation, administrative law, labour law contracts drafting and vetting, dispute resolution processes.
5. Experience in the implementation of efficient contract management processes.
6. Knowledge and working experience in the applications of the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA), National Treasury regulations and other relevant legislation and regulations that govern the Public Service.
7. Knowledge of current legislation applicable to state-owned entities, particularly SETAs.
8. Proven legislative drafting experience in the public sector.
9. Broader knowledge of the South African legislative landscape.
10. Understanding and interpretation of the SETA landscape.

Skills

1. Expert knowledge of legal matters.
2. Interpretation and application of legislative prescripts.
3. Strong communication skills both verbal and written.
4. Excellent drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills.
5. Self-disciplined and able to adhere to strict timeframes.
6. Ability to prioritize workload in line with strict timeframes and optimize the use of resources.
7. Proven ability to find creative and innovative solutions to problems and to overcome potential challenges (quick thinker).
8. Research and investigation skills.
9. Exercise a high level of confidentiality.
10. Integrity and professionalism.

The Insurance Sector Education and Authority (INSETA) is an equal opportunity employer committed to Employment Equity and diversity with opportunities afforded in line with the approved Employment Equity Plan. Preference will be afforded to candidates from under-represented designated groups and people living with disabilities. INSETA reserves the right not to make an appointment and correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

All appointments are subject to vetting processes. If you meet the above requirements and wish to apply, send your CV and qualifications through the INSETA website.