Legal Advisor

Responsibilities:

1. Provide leadership in delivering reliable, accurate, timely, and well-informed advice on legal matters and potential implications related to various pension-related matters within SALT EB.
2. Report to the Head of Legal Risk & Compliance.
3. Investigate and apply expertise to data to deliver on the specific area of expertise.
4. Analyze data and extract trends to ensure improvement of processes and customer satisfaction.
5. Compile reports and provide innovative ideas.
6. Engage with current challenges in the team/business and troubleshoot issues to provide workable solutions.
7. Perform quality assurance based on the specialized requirements of the role.
8. Ensure strong stakeholder management in terms of communication, including feedback to clients, managing clients, responding to queries, and attending to them timeously.
9. Engage in a professional manner whether verbally or face-to-face.
10. Maintain the brand image of SEB by adhering to company values.
11. Be a strong team player with industry knowledge and experience.
12. Carry out the role with accuracy, attention to detail, and following instructions.
13. Complete tasks within required deadlines, organize, plan, set goals, and deliver accordingly.
14. Exhibit strong interpersonal skills for cross-team collaboration.
15. Innovate within the role and ensure thorough quality of work.
16. Be conscious of the abuse of company resources.
17. Work through Funds Adjudicator (PFA) and FSCA complaints and queries against the Funds administered by SALT Employee Benefits, responding timeously and accurately.
18. Have a clear understanding of the legislation governing the Retirement Fund Industry.

Area of Responsibilities:

1. Provide legal and policy support to all SALT EB stakeholders, including but not limited to the Executive team, management team, and supporting staff.
2. Ensure availability for consultation on legal matters and implications of past and proposed actions.
3. Analyze complex practical problems and advise management on the issues, options, and consequences of each.
4. Provide written opinions on all matters, consistently delivering reliable advice based on expertise.
5. Provide legal support and advice on various corporate legal matters and legal risks.
6. Draft, review, edit, interpret, and advise on contracts and other legal documents.
7. Keep abreast of legislative changes affecting the organization.
8. Assist in preparing disciplinary hearing documents and conduct investigations.
9. Prepare witnesses in advance of disciplinary hearings.
10. Study judgments and share insights with staff.
11. Represent SALT EB in various public and private sector forums.
12. Provide input on legislation and monitor its progress affecting the Office.
13. Investigate Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) complaints and respond to them within prescribed timeframes.
14. Draft eight responses per day, forty per week, and one hundred and sixty per month.
15. Implement OPFA determinations timely and ensure high-quality responses to PFA and other stakeholders.
16. Record new complaints and determinations for reporting purposes to EXCO and relevant stakeholders.

Competencies Required:

1. Matric.
2. Excellent communication (written and verbal).
3. Business writing and email etiquette in English.
4. Industry knowledge and experience.
5. Accuracy and attention to detail.
6. Judgment and decision-making skills.
7. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
8. Organizational skills and ability to prioritize.
9. Interpersonal skills and cross-team collaboration.
10. Time management.
11. Data analysis.
12. Negotiation and conflict management.
13. Networking and public speaking.
14. Research skills.
15. Knowledge of pensions law, particularly the Pension Funds Act 24 of 1956.
16. Knowledge of other South African laws relevant to the Retirement Fund Industry.
17. A Bachelor's Degree in law or commerce.
18. Proven relevant and practical experience of at least 10 years within the financial services industry.
19. Advanced knowledge of Pension Funds Act, Regulations, Financial Sector Regulation Act, Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill, and all relevant financial sector laws.
20. Familiarity with regulatory instruments issued by the FSCA, including Interpretation Rulings, Guidance Notices, and Industry Communications.
21. Applied strategic thinking.
22. Problem-solving and analysis skills.
23. Attention to detail and commitment to excellence; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
24. Ability to work effectively under pressure while emphasizing quality.