Legal Specialist

Reports to

Dual reporting line to - Head: Legal and Ethics and Head: Governance and Compliance

Level of work required

D Lower

Direct reports

None

Sub reports

0

Objectives

1 Legal Support

• Conduct legal research and prepare well-reasoned legal opinions, memoranda, and reports.
• Support legal and regulatory workstreams, including long-running and cross-functional legal projects.
• Assist with contract lifecycle management, including drafting, vetting, negotiation support, and maintaining contract registers.
• Provide support on legal and ethics risk assessments and monitoring of regulatory changes relevant to Discovery Health Medical Scheme.

2 Governance Support

• Act as a support resource on internal governance processes and frameworks.
• Draft and review governance documentation including policies, charters, terms of reference, procedures, and compliance reports.
• Conduct periodic reviews of governance / ethical best practices and benchmark organisational processes accordingly.
• Manage stakeholder inquiries relating to governance processes, administrative requirements, and board procedures.

3 Board and Executive Support

• Represent the Head: Legal and Ethics at operational, governance, and stakeholder meetings as required.
• Prepare briefing notes, as well as verbal and written submissions for Board and Committees.
• Ensure the preservation and continuity of corporate memory for the Board and the Scheme Office, including records management, document tracking, and knowledge archiving.
• Provide support to the Executive team on governance and compliance related matters.
• The role is also responsible for drafting some contracts and agreements.

4 Project and Stakeholder Management

• Drive and manage several long-running legal, ethics, regulatory and governance-related projects to completion.
• Support cross-functional teams with governance alignment and compliance integration.
• Facilitate effective engagements with internal and external stakeholders on legal, governance, and administrative issues.

Experience required

• Minimum 4 years post-admission experience in legal practice corporate governance and / or an in-house legal environment.
• Demonstrated exposure to Board governance, company secretariat functions, compliance frameworks, and/or legal advisory services
• Strong legislative research and drafting experience.

Qualification(s) required

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent.
• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Knowledge required

• Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, corporate governance codes, and compliance standards.
• Ability to prepare and present high-quality reports and submissions.
• Contract drafting, vetting and management capabilities.

Skills required

• Strong drafting, analytical, and interpretation skills.
• Project management skills.
• Negotiation and relationship management skills with the ability to diplomatically interface with colleagues and third parties in the best interest of the Scheme
• Agility – ability to manage fast-changing work requirements and respond quickly and appropriately.
• Ability to work with cross functional teams
• Ability to function well in a high-stress environment without impacting
• Need to be skilled in managing self and supporting others during periods of high pressure

Behavioural Competencies

• High level of professional judgment, discretion, and acting with the utmost integrity.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Organisational, planning, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Stakeholder management and diplomacy.