SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
Position Overview:
The Legal Advisor is responsible for providing practical, business-focused legal advice to the Group and its associated entities. This includes advising on contractual, commercial, compliance and regulatory matters, with a primary focus on the drafting, review and negotiation of a wide range of contracts and documents, including but not limited to Software Development, SAAS, Maintenance and Support (or SLAs), Services with Scopes of Work (SOWs), Settlement, Mutual Termination, Mutual Separation, Retrenchment, Retention, Shareholders, Employment, Independent Contractor, NDAs, NCNDAs, Sale of Shares Agreements, Agreements with Third Party Service Providers and/or Suppliers, Rental and Lease Agreements, MOUs and MOAs, board and shareholders’ resolutions and MOIs.
The role supports the Group’s strategic and operational objectives by identifying and managing legal risk, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation and partnering with internal stakeholders to enable sound, legally compliant business decisions.
Essential Job Functions:
- Provide accurate, timely and commercially sound legal advice to the Group and its various entities across a broad range of legal matters, including contractual, regulatory and compliance-related issues.
- Draft, review, negotiate and manage a wide range of commercial and non-commercial contracts, agreements and related documentation to ensure alignment with business objectives and adequate protection of the Group’s interests.
- Prepare, review and issue legal and formal business documentation, including tenders, proposals, correspondence and legal responses, ensuring clarity, consistency and legal compliance.
- Proactively identify, assess and mitigate legal, regulatory and commercial risks and advise management on appropriate risk management strategies and controls.
- Provide legal and compliance support for the development and rollout of new products, new ventures and operational initiatives.
- Ensure the Group’s ongoing compliance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and internally adopted policies, with particular emphasis on data protection and privacy legislation, including POPIA.
- Oversee and maintain the Group’s POPIA compliance framework, including the review and upkeep of related policies, data protection clauses, consent mechanisms, website disclosures and internal processes and -appointments.
- Contribute to the development, review and implementation of internal policies, procedures, frameworks and codes of conduct to support effective governance and regulatory compliance.
- Review contracts and policies for use by clients, provided to clients as part of clients’ benefits.
- Provide legal guidance and support on labour law matters, when required.
- Manage and monitor compliance with contractual obligations across internal and external agreements, including tracking key terms, renewal dates, price increases and performance requirements.
- Support commercial and strategic projects by providing legal input throughout the project lifecycle, including project planning, execution and delivery from a legal and compliance perspective.
- Provide advice and guidance on intellectual property matters, including the identification, protection, use and enforcement of the Group’s intellectual property rights, and advice and guidance on the use of AI tools and the Group’s protection in respect thereof.
- Liaise with and assist external counsel on litigious matters, including drafting and reviewing of pleadings.
- Prepare and deliver legal presentations, training and briefings to internal and external stakeholders to promote legal awareness, compliance and best practice across the Group.
- Provide training on legal and related matters to internal and external parties.
- Serve as a trusted legal advisor to business units and departments, providing practical, solution-focused legal support that enables informed decision-making and sustainable business operations.
Skills, Experience and Functional Requirements:
- LLB / BCom LLB degree.
- Post graduate qualifications advantageous.
- Admitted Attorney with at least 5 years’ post qualifications experience (PQE), including substantial experience in South African commercial, and specifically, contract law.
- Good understanding of and substantial experience in court proceedings and with pleadings, with a particular focus on civil litigation.
- Good understanding of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including the Rules of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) and proper procedures to be followed.
- Experience in the healthcare industry and/or Information Technology environment, would be highly advantageous.
- Good understanding and exposure in BEE legislation and regulations.
- Demonstratable commercial legal background and strong business / commercial acumen.
- In depth knowledge of Protection of Personal Information, – and Promotion of Access to Information Acts, Companies Act and insolvency law.
- Knowledge of general commercial – and competition law.
- Good negotiation skills.
- Strong emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (also listening skills).
- Ability to multi-task and prioritise.
- Time management and organisational skills.
- Attention to detail, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work independently but also as part of a team.
- Strong analytical and evaluation skills and solution driven.
- Ability to identify and articulate potential legal and/or regulatory concerns.
- Excellent research skills.
- Confident, collaborative, professional attitude and comfortable working closely with colleagues and executives daily.
- Highly motivated and enthusiastic.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
- Proficient in Microsoft office including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
NOTE:
This role specification is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to fulfill duties not mentioned herein, as required, to meet the ongoing needs of the organisation.
