Legal Advisor at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The NRF invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced professional who will be responsible for providing broad legal support services in the execution of the NRF mandate.

Key Responsibilities:

• 1
• Legal Advisory Provide expert legal advice and guidance to the NRF on a wide range of legal matters, including contracts, compliance, intellectual property, employment law, and regulatory issues
• Conduct legal research and analysis to anticipate and identify potential legal risks and implications associated with various business activities, initiatives, and decisions
• Advise on legal implications and potential consequences of proposed actions, initiatives, or changes in business practices to safeguard the NRF’s reputation and minimize legal exposure
• Work closely with internal departments to develop and implement measures that align business practices with legal requirements, ethical standards, and industry best practices
• 2
• Litigation ManagementEnsure efficient and effective management of litigation for and against the NRF
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop strategies, policies, and procedures that mitigate legal risks
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Facilitate the sourcing of external legal services and liaise with other parties’ legal advisors/representatives as required
• Build relationships with external providers of legal services i
• e
• legal panel on an ongoing basis
• Conducting pre-trial conference preparations and defending the NRF in law suits
• Representing NRF before administrative or quasi-judicial agencies of the National Government when required
• Submitting allegations of non-compliance to ICASA Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC)
• Report unresolved offences to Director of Public Prosecutions
• 3
• Legal Research and ComplianceEnsure the NRF's compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards by developing and implementing legal compliance programs and monitoring mechanisms
• Review and negotiate contracts, agreements, and legal documents to protect the NRF's interests and ensure compliance with legal requirements
• Oversee the maintenance and organization of legal records, documents, and databases, ensuring their accuracy, confidentiality, and accessibility
• Assist in identifying and adhering to fraud controls, risk prevention principles, and compliance processes, and tools to identify and manage risks
• Support and provide evidence to all internal and external audit requirements
• Conduct legal research and analysis to anticipate and identify potential legal risks and implications associated with various business activities, initiatives, and decisions
• Keep abreast of relevant legal information
• Ensure that the legal research is of quality and informed by appropriate legislations
• Review related Standard Operating Procedures in consultation with the manager: Corporate Legal Services to ensure business optimisation
• Adhere to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures throughout the organisation
• Examining material, such as publications, permits, advertisements etc
• , for legal implications
• Stay informed about changes to relevant rules and regulations and mandatory standards
• 4
• Stakeholder and Contract Management Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and maintain healthy relationships
• Review and negotiate contracts, agreements, and legal documents to protect the NRF's interests and ensure compliance with legal
• Create, analyse, negotiate, and execute an array of contracts for various transactions
• Maintain the contract management module of D365
• Maintain contract-related documents and correspondence
• Present contract information to relevant parties and troubleshoot contract-related problems, such as breach of contract
• Keep track of contracts and extend, renew, or close them outCollaborate with Communications by providing content on Legal Services related matters for inclusion in various media platforms
• Represent the organisation at various forums as directed
• Conduct regular workshops for to ensure the correct interpretation and application of the of related legislation and policies
• Build corporate Legal Services capacity by identifying common queries, implement strategies to build organizational Legal knowledge and develop standard solutions so that corporate capacity is built on common Legal Services issues
• 5
• Functional deliverablesAssist with Legal office monthly and quarterly reports
• Track financial commitments, report deadlines and manage follow-ups
• Oversee the maintenance and organization of legal records, documents, and databases, ensuring their accuracy, confidentiality, and accessibility
• Procurement of necessary specialised services as and when needed
• Support co-management activities undertaken between the Astronomy Management Authority (AMA) and South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) for the implementation of regulations for the protection of declared Astronomy Advantage Areas
• Ensure Legal Vetting of Permit Conditions before it is issued to applicant, alignment of ICASA Licence conditions with AMA Permit conditions
• Evaluating financial compensation submitted in terms of Schedule C Regulations for the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Areas

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelors Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF 7

Minimum Experience:

• 6-10 years

• LLB (Admitted Attorney)Admission as an Attorney or Advocate6 - 10 years post articles experience, including drafting and negotiating of commercial legal agreements, and commercial legal experience Knowledge and understanding of all legislation relevant to the business (i
• e
• PFMA, POPIA, etc
• )Knowledge and understanding of business conducted by the businessLegal / business writing skillsLegal drafting skills including drafting and negotiating of commercial legal agreementsFlexibility in working hours will be required to meet demands of the role

Experience:

• Legislative Compliance Strategic Leadership Contract drafting Written and Verbal Communication Stakeholder management and Relations Negotiation skills Presentation Skills Report Writing Policy Development Risk Management Conflict Management Litigation Management Legislative drafting

Knowledge:

• Public Service Legislative and Regulatory Framework
• Knowledge of administrative, civil, corporate and contract law
• Treasury Regulations
• Knowledge of compliance and risk management Extensive knowledge of commercial and corporate law, regulatory frameworks, and best practices

Additional Notes:
Behavioural Attributes Planning and Organising Decision making & problem solving Emotional Intelligence High attention to detail Interpersonal relations Team Leadership Professional Work well under pressure Efficient and effective in meeting deadlines and delivering results NegotiatingThe NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant·s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Desired Skills:

• Skilled in applied field of position
• Knowledge to be relevant
• Responsible in performing duties

About The Employer:

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. The NRF is a well-established organisation that is highly networked within the knowledge system, nationally and internationally. It is the principal organisation responsible for promoting the national research enterprise and is the primary public funder of postgraduate students and researchers and provider of research infrastructure in the country. It has well-developed, best practice research evaluation and support systems.