Job Description

Legal Advisor: Client Agreements - Cape TownFull job descriptionJob Advert SummaryThe Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) is South Africa's only specialist agricultural bank established in 1912, the bank's sole objective is to serve South African commercial and emerging farmers and bring specially designed financial services within their reach. These services enable farmers to finance land, equipment, improve assets and obtain production credit. The Land Bank provides financial services that have moved with the times and continues to provide services to agri-business and constantly reviews its offerings to ensure that they match the needs of an industry. As change has swept across the sector in South Africa the socio-economic makeup of agriculture has altered, bringing new entrants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds on to the land, these new farmers, facing the challenges of establishing sustainable agri-businesses across the agricultural value chain, Land Bank has been a commercial lifeline offering appropriately designed financial products that facilitate personal and commercial viability in a sector that is vital to the sustainability of South Africa and its people.MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOBTo provide legal advice, legal opinion and solutions and manage legal risks as per the Regionolisation model to business units and branches.The position is located within the Regions to ensure effective client support.. The Legal Advisor will ensure legal compliance as well as manage the external resources and the draft and review of client agreements and contracts and other relevant legal matters. Review/checking of the conditions precedent to ensure compliance and sign off of same.Key Performance Areas1. Business Support and General Legal AdviceCustodian of legal agreements as applicable and responsible for developing and reviewing them from time to time to ensure legal complianceDrafting of Legal Agreements and SLA'sAssessment of impact of any new legislation and providing training to Legal and affected Business Units from time to timeProviding legal advice and opinions to Divisions and within the regionalisation modelLegal research and legal reviews and due diligence investigationsAdvising and providing a tailor made business solutions to problemsGenerally ensure best possible legal solution to legal problems2. Monitoring and Compliance with Land Bank Act and other applicable legislationMonitor legislation that may affect the Bank and recommend solutionsProactive awareness of new legislation and advising the Bank accordinglyAssessment of impact of any new legislation and making recommendations in this regard3. Resource ManagementManagement of assigned attorneys in terms of giving them instructions and subsequent communication as applicableManage delivery of outsourced work and monitor performance4. Review and Development of Policies and ProceduresIdentify loopholes and make recommendations on policies and processes for improved service deliveryMonitoring and compliance to the policies and procedures and making recommendations in case of non-compliance.Assist in Delegation of Powers (DOP) development and reviewDrafting agreements and general legal assistance to the Bank as a whole including ensuring product compliance and alignment with the Bank's policies5. Manage Stakeholder relationshipProactive building of internal relationships with all business unitsUnderstanding operational business needsProviding business solutions in area of expertiseUnderstanding internal client's areas of operationProactively building relationships with attorneys/advocates/Bank clientsGood working relationship with team6. DraftingReceive requests for the drafting of ContractsAssess and discuss requirements with the client and draft initial contractsReview inputs and amend according to comments receivedPrepare execution versions of the contract, together with control sheets, acquire internal signatories and submit for external signaturesRetain electronic copies of contracts and control sheetsPreferred Minimum Education and Experience4 year LLB Degree or equivalent.Admitted Attorney having served articles of clerkship or Admitted Advocate, having served pupillage.3 - 5 years Post admission experience.Critical CompetenciesLegislationLegal opinionsReport writingCompilation of policies and proceduresLegal reviews and due diligenceResearchDraftingAdditional RequirementsIn depth knowledge of the Companies Act, National Credit Act, Consumer Protection Act, Land Bank Act, and other legislation related to financial institutions and employee relations.

Skills Required