Head : Legal Counsel

Full description

Campus National Department Legal Number of Positions 1 Location - Town / City National Minimum Education Level Honours Degree | Postgraduate Diploma Job Advert Summary Eduvos is looking to employ a Head: Legal Counsel. The successful candidate may be based at either Eduvos Midrand, or the Eduvos offices in Parc du Cap, Tyger Valley, Cape Town. Purpose The Head: Legal Counsel leads the organisation’s legal function, providing practical, commercially grounded legal advice to the organisation’s management and Executive Team, and legal input to the Board and its committees. The role is responsible for legal risk management, regulatory compliance, data protection (as the organisation’s Information Officer), insurance, corporate transactions, commercial contracting, litigation oversight, and the management of external legal advisors. The role safeguards the organisation’s legal and reputational interests. Company secretarial and statutory governance matters remain the responsibility of the Company Secretary. Location Hybrid - Eduvos Midrand, or the Eduvos offices in Parc du Cap, Tyger Valley, Cape Town. Position type Permanent Minimum Requirements - LLB degree - Admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa - At least eight years' post-admission experience across commercial and litigation work, including at least three years in-house - Exposure to both Corporate and private / practice environments - Experience managing legal staff, external counsel and a legal budget - Experience in the Higher Education industry will be advantageous Duties and Responsibilities Legal Advisory and Business Partnering - Provide legal advice across the business to support decision-making, risk management, governance and regulatory compliance. - Advise Executive Management on legal, commercial and strategic matters. - Prepare legal opinions and provide labour law support, including CCMA and Labour Court matters. Contract Management and Commercial Support - Draft, negotiate, review and manage commercial agreements and legal documentation. - Maintain contract templates, legal playbooks and contract management processes. - Advise stakeholders on contractual risks, obligations and commercial arrangements. Corporate Transactions and Strategic Initiatives - Provide legal support for acquisitions, partnerships, B-BBEE transactions and financing arrangements. - Conduct legal due diligence and assess legal risks relating to strategic initiatives. Legal Risk Management and Litigation - Lead legal risk management, litigation, dispute resolution and legal claims, including student-related matters. - Manage external legal counsel and legal expenditure to ensure cost-effective service delivery. Information Governance (POPIA and PAIA) - Serve as the organisation's Information Officer. - Ensure compliance with POPIA and PAIA, including information governance, privacy frameworks, data subject requests and information security incidents. - Drive awareness and training on privacy and information governance requirements. Legal Compliance and Regulatory Management - Maintain the legal compliance register and monitor legislative and regulatory developments. - Develop compliance frameworks, policies and procedures, and provide guidance on legal obligations applicable to a private higher education institution. Insurance, Whistleblowing and Investigations - Advise on insurance matters including policy coverage, claims and indemnities. - Oversee the whistleblowing programme and provide legal support for investigations and Protected Disclosures Act compliance. Board and Governance Support - Provide legal and compliance reporting to Board Committees through the Company Secretary. - Support the Social and Ethics Committee and broader corporate governance requirements. Leadership and Stakeholder Management - Lead and develop the Legal function and Legal Officer, ensuring effective service delivery and budget management. - Build relationships with executives, regulators and external stakeholders, promoting a culture of compliance, ethics and good governance. - Represent the Legal function in strategic and cross-functional initiatives. Functional and Behavioural Competencies Functional Competencies - Well-developed litigation skills - Strong commercial drafting and negotiation skills, including technology, licensing and partnership agreements - Depth of know-how regarding POPIA and PAIA, including the duties of an Information Officer - Working knowledge of short-term insurance, including policy wording, cover and claims - A track record of preparing high quality, influential legal and policy advice for both expert and non-expert audiences - Experience of developing, implementing and delivering legal and policy projects and documentation - Knowledge of legislation relevant to private higher education (including the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 and its regulations, the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, NCA, POPIA, PAIA and the Protected Disclosures Act 26 of 2000). - Good working knowledge of South African law in general and labour law (LRA, BCEA and EEA) Behavioural Competencies - Strategic Thinking and Judgement - Decision Making and Accountability - Influencing and Communication - Leadership and People Development - Relationship Building and Collaboration - Resilience and Conflict Resolution - Planning, Adaptability and Governance