Legal Manager
Other
Johannesburg – Gauteng
ENVIRONMENT:
Our Client is currently seeking a Legal Manager to join the team of a Community Upliftment Programme based in Johannesburg. The Legal Manager will be responsible for reviewing, preparing, vetting, and managing the administration of contracts. In addition, they will oversee key compliance areas within the organisation, including adherence to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). The role will provide support across all departments by addressing general legal matters, queries, and offering advice. The Legal Manager will also take a lead role in organizational risk management. The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive understanding of South African statutory laws and demonstrate strong judgment.
DUTIES:
Contract Management
- Oversee administration of manual and electronic copies of all legal documents
- Ensure accuracy and completeness of contract registers
- Proactively communicate with relevant stakeholders prior to legal documents expiring
- Oversee the filing system for retention of manual records as well as the electronic filing system on SharePoint of all contracts, legal documents, registers, and other supporting documents
Compliance
- Provides support to departments to enable compliance with funder requirements and applicable laws
- Serve as primary point of contact and ensure compliance with POPIA
- Stays up to date with funder rules and regulations
- Developing and facilitating compliance with relevant public and private laws and regulation, including through staff training programmes
Risk Management
- Responsible for drafting and maintaining a risk management policy
- Responsible for drafting and maintaining an organizational risk register
- Ensure adequate insurance coverage to mitigate risks and work with relevant suppliers/insurers to ensure this cover is in place at all times
Legal Support
- Advising on best practices and standards
- Assist with analysis, interpreting, and applying state, local Government, international funders, and private funders’ statuses, rules, and regulations regarding grants administration
- Conduct detailed legal reviews of the organization’s progress against contracted requirements and financial documents
- Implementing a system to track, expedite, and fulfil legal support requests, which may range from urgent support on contracts, employment law questions, and registration of new entities
- Draft and review all forms of contracts including HR, operational, MOUs, and funder contracts
- Provide support on review of policies (when appropriate)
Reporting
- Prepare and present reports as required
- Reports on the results of internal legal investigations to the relevant Chief or Department Head
- Provide recommendations to improve areas of deficiencies and process weaknesses identified
- Support management through participation in projects designed to introduce new and/or changing processes
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders (funders, auditors, franchisors, suppliers etc.) as needed
- Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders (Department Heads, Administrators, Chiefs, staff, team members etc.)
- Perform other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications and Experience
- Relevant legal degree
- Min. 2 years post qualification experience
- Demonstrable experience working with POPIA
Advantageous
- Familiarity with the non-profit sector
Technical Skills & Competencies
- Microsoft Office (word, PowerPoint, excel, outlook)
- SharePoint
- General law knowledge
- Presentation skills
ATTRIBUTES:
- Written and verbal communication
- People management
- Sound judgement and decision making
- Problem solving
- Planning and administration
- Ability to work independently