Paralegal/Risk Manager

Job Specification: Paralegal Contracts and Insurance Management

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Position Overview:
Our Client is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Paralegal to join our legal and risk management team. This role will be responsible for managing contracts, focusing on insurance matters, and ensuring compliance with key legal and health and safety standards. The successful candidate will work closely with internal teams, clients, and external insurance providers to ensure the business is adequately protected against potential risks, particularly in the healthcare and medical sectors. You will play a key role in managing risk registers, handling contract clauses, and liaising with insurance teams on a range of issues, including claims, renewals, and international coverage.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Contract Management & Review

• Own and manage contracts, ensuring all clauses related to health and safety, insurance, and liability are accurate and compliant with legal standards.
• Review and update contracts, specifically related to nursing and healthcare services, ensuring risks are minimized and compliance is maintained.
• Ensure contractual clauses related to health and safety policies, cyber insurance, and risk management are properly drafted and implemented.

2. Insurance Management

• Manage the companys insurance portfolio, focusing on business insurance, including cyber insurance and health-related coverage for nurses working in various environments.
• Liaise with external insurance providers to ensure appropriate coverage levels for different services, regions (including Japan), and potential risks (e.g., nurse injuries, complex care incidents).
• Oversee insurance renewals, ensuring timely renewals and accurate coverage.
• Track insurance claims and work closely with claims teams to manage risk effectively.
• Ensure that all insurance policies meet the needs of the business and comply with applicable legal requirements, including ISO 9001 standards.

3. Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain and manage the companys risk register, ensuring all risks (including claims and incidents involving nurses or clients) are properly logged and addressed.
• Actively track incidents involving health and safety issues, including nurse injuries on-site and complex care claims.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and work with relevant stakeholders to mitigate potential risks.
• Work with various internal teams to assess and manage risks related to the healthcare services provided by the company.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

4. Contract Law and Legal Research

• Have a solid understanding of contract law, particularly as it relates to business operations, insurance, and healthcare services.
• Provide legal support in drafting, reviewing, and interpreting contract clauses.
• Research relevant legal frameworks related to business insurance, health and safety regulations, and any other applicable regulations.

5. Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare and maintain comprehensive reports on insurance coverage, claims, and risk management activities.
• Provide regular updates to senior management on insurance renewals, claims, and risk status.
• Ensure all legal documentation is properly filed, organized, and accessible for reference.

6. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Liaise with various teams within the company, including legal, finance, HR, and operations, to ensure seamless management of contracts, insurance policies, and risk processes.
• Work with external insurers and legal advisors to ensure optimal coverage and claim management.

Requirements:

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience:
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience as a paralegal, preferably in a corporate or healthcare setting, with a focus on contract law and business insurance.
• Experience in contract management, reviewing and drafting clauses related to health and safety, and insurance.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management standards and risk management protocols.
• Prior experience managing cyber insurance policies, including contract clauses related to cyber risks.
• Knowledge:
• Strong understanding of contract law, particularly in the context of healthcare services and insurance.
• Solid knowledge of risk management practices and managing claims.
• Understanding of business insurance policies, including professional liability and workers' compensation insurance for healthcare staff.
• Awareness of international insurance requirements, especially in relation to nurse insurance in countries like Japan.
• Skills:
• Strong attention to detail and a meticulous approach to contract review and insurance management.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex legal and insurance information to non-legal stakeholders.
• Proactive and able to "get on and do it" independently managing tasks and driving progress.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A paralegal certification or equivalent qualification.
• Knowledge of the healthcare sector, particularly in complex care or nursing.
• Experience working with international insurance policies or multinational operations.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary: Competitive salary based on experience.
Location: Cape Town, South Africa.

Our Client offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development. We are committed to providing a supportive team culture and encourage individuals to take initiative and contribute to our ongoing success.