Lead: Legislation and Governance

SAICA has embarked on an exciting transformation to become an insights-driven, technology-enabled, and AIpowered organisation. As part of our journey, we are streamlining processes, enhancing our digital capabilities, and strengthening our focus on sustainability in the accounting profession. This transformation presents an opportunity for you to grow and contribute to SAICAs vision in a redefined, future-fit role. We are looking for passionate, skilled professionals who are eager to innovate, embrace data-driven decision-making, and help shape the future of the profession. If you are ready to be part of this next chapter, make a meaningful impact, and you are a suitably qualified and experienced Difference Maker wanting to go further on this exciting journey, you are encouraged to apply. Purpose of the job In support of the Head of: Audit and Assurance and in collaboration with the relevant SAICA Committee (and the relevant subcommittees), develop, manage and improve the strategic direction & implementation of the Institutes service offering and support to its members as relates to building the brand of the Institute and that of its members through brand building initiatives and products. The incumbent will be responsible to support the Head of: Audit and Assurance to drive SAICAs strategic objectives and initiatives on applicable legislation and governance. This will include: Support and development of technical and operational matters on legislation and governance and ensuring that members are kept up to date with recent developments; Representing SAICA on local and international structures and promoting SAICAs brand and views; Formulating through consultation with members and structures of the profession view on legislation and governance matters and advocating the Institutes key positions in collaboration with the Head of Audit and Assurance and the Legislation and Compliance Committee (LCC) to local and international stakeholders. Effectively manage and implement the advocacy strategy delivery to optimise member and stakeholder engagement and tracking of key initiatives that will enhance engagement with SAICA members and stakeholders. This includes public engagements with the media and other stakeholders. Managing and executing thought leadership initiatives to assist members and the development of legislative and governance instruments. Promoting strategic insights to and from the Head of Audit and Assurance. Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure balanced and contextual advice that cuts across different aspects of the profession. Key/main outputs Output 1: Manage the Legislation and Governance advocacy strategy and processes Manage and implement advocacy projects for legislation and governance to influence legislation, standards, policies and environment through submissions and public media. Manage and execute the advocacy submissions process to ensure that submissions are technically correct, not conflicting, in the public interest and represent the member views accurately. Seek consensus and advice from the Head of: Audit and Assurance where required. Manage a screening process to ensure that requests for comments from stakeholders on policy, legislation or standards (reactive submissions) and matters identified by the Audit and Assurance division or requests from members and the LCC (proactive submissions) are documented for consideration in the workplan. Perform initial quality review of key submissions together with Chairperson of the LCC or where conflicting positions exist, to escalate the latter to the Head of: Audit and Assurance to obtain a SAICA view. Manage a submissions reporting process to Head of: Audit and Assurance, the LCC and members. Implement and manage a submissions tracking process to ensure that submissions are submitted on time and that follow-up engagements (e.g. public hearings, parliamentary hearings etc) are confirmed and diarised and required supporting presentations are notified to the Head of: Audit and Assurance and the LCC. Output 2: Manage the Legal and Compliance Committee and the other related forums and interest groups to ensure that they are supported administratively and technically to perform optimally Manage and support the Legal and Compliance Committee in the execution of its mandate to formulate positions on legislation and governance technical matters. Evaluating the needs and profile of the legislation and governance committees from a capability; level of objectivity and independence perspective to ensure that the committees are fit for purpose and conduct their activities effectively and efficiently and in line with the SAICA strategy. Responsible for updating the terms of reference of the legislation and governance committees to ensure that the committees functions are aligned with the purpose and objectives as set out in the terms of reference. Oversee the Project Manager and Project Administrator to ensure that committees are supported administratively and technically to perform optimally. To perform an initial review of the agenda packs before they are sent out to the committees. Implement and manage processes and procure relevant service providers to ensure that relevant committee meetings are minuted and action items lists are compiled and distributed within agreed timelines and with appropriate quality. Provide appropriate feedback on activities, progress on action items and status of engagements of stakeholder engagements to enable the Legal and Compliance Committee to execute its mandate. Manage committee members to ensure action items of committees delegated to individual committee members are executed within the agreed time frames and with sufficient quality. Plan and facilitate stakeholder engagement meetings between the Legal and Compliance Committee and Regulators & Standard Setters or Alliance Partners. Plan and facilitate required research in consultation with Head of: Audit and Assurance from service providers in collaboration with alliance partners in support of the objectives of the legislation and governance committees. Output 3: Manage the Legislation and Governance Stakeholder Management Plan Assist with preparation and maintenance of the stakeholder mapping and engagement plans for the area (in coordination and collaboration with the members engagement division). Engaging with key stakeholders relating to the legislation and governance space to identify collaborative opportunities on issues of mutual interest as well as building and improving relationships with key stakeholders in terms of a Stakeholder Management Plan. Document and evaluate engagements with stakeholders and determine or advise to Head of: Audit and Assurance of interventions to make relationships more effective and efficient. Provide reports and analysis to Head of: Audit and Assurance and Committees on outcomes of stakeholder engagements. Evaluate which stakeholder engagements require escalation to Head of: Audit and Assurance and engage the relevant persons to participate in the process. Implement the divisions media strategy and plan as it relates to legislation and governance and engage with the media and speak on public platforms in respect of technical positions and impact on society or parts thereof. Output 4: Provide technical guidance to members on legislation and governance developments Manage and execute the direct research and development of relevant leading assurance, legislation and governance products and services for members and stakeholders. Liaise with the internal divisions and oversee the work of the Project Manager to ensure that SAICA reaches members through support platforms and tools (e.g. technical and operational queries & escalations, guides). Prepare and review communication going out to members to ensure that members are kept abreast of the latest developments regarding legislation and governance related issues through various platforms. Keeping members abreast of the latest developments regarding legislation and governance (including international best practice) through pro-active communication. Managing the technical query system and operational queries by assisting members by responding to technical queries within set turnaround times and agreed satisfaction levels as well as monitoring and following up of technical queries that are exceeding the set turnaround times. Engage government, regulators and standard setters where required to seek clarification on matters that require guidance. Planning, managing, and presenting relevant seminars and events with respect to the content Promoting the SAICA brand through thought leadership content (research, etc) for legislation and governance. Output 5: Updates to technical documents such as guides and circulars and facilitate the process of introducing new technical guidance that will be beneficial for members. Conduct research and development in delivering on members' needs pertaining to technical and operational queries relating to legislation and governance. Assisting in the execution of strategi initiatives that impact members. To perform updates to existing guides and circulars and/or introduce new relevant guidance for members and to identify, validate, design; develop and present relevant thought leadership seminars & events, and products & services. Output 6: To manage the performance of the divisional staff and ensure that the SAICA strategic objectives are met, including achieving a higher state of emotional intelligence. Provide direction to, mentor, and assess and review the work of the Project Manager (i.e. delivering on the work plan). Manage the implementation of a divisional strategy, business plan and work plan as it relates to legislation and governance. Determining and implementing performance management criteria and managing performance of the Project Manager: Legislation and Governance and ensuring that this is in line with the Standards and SAICA scorecard. Supporting the Head of: Audit and Assurance in ensuring that the strategy, objectives and key roles of the division are executed effectively. Participate in and complete the bi-annual staff performance reviews and other informal performance feedbacks per the relevant HC policy Implement the development areas, creating a personal development plan and ensuring completion of interventions identified Ensure awareness of and responsibilities under any current and new SAICA policies and procedures including ensuring they attend relevant training interventions Output 7: Budgets, procurement and risk controls Accountable for procurement approval of goods and services to enable the business plan execution per DoA limits. Prepare request for tender and evaluation of tender bids for legislation and governance procurement Implement procurement policies and risk controls and ensure compliance Document and capture identified risks on the ISOMETRIX risk register and execute mitigating controls. Report periodically to the Risk Department and Head of: Audit and Assurance on risks identified. Implement and manage privacy controls applicable to member structures and services & products as per the POPIA and GDPR Policy Implement and manage intellectual property produced in the Audit and Assurance division through appropriate data management procedures and protect such IP through relevant copyright marks & disclaimers and appropriate archiving Output 8: Embrace and Drive Organisational Transformation Actively contribute to cost containment efforts by identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies, optimising resources, and ensuring value-driven decision-making in daily activities. Support SAICAs transformation into an insights-driven organisation by leveraging data and analytics to enhance decision-making, improve processes, and drive continuous improvement in your area of work Effectively utilise digital tools and technology to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and improve service delivery. Stay informed about new and emerging technologies relevant to your role Adopt and embrace AI-driven tools and automation to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness in job-related tasks, while continuously seeking opportunities to improve processes through innovative technology solutions Identify and support SAICAs management of risks related to sustainability, including environmental risks, regulatory changes and social risks and integrating them into business continuity and risk management plans Formal Education Bachelor of Law degree (LLB), or CA(SA) (with appropriate legal or compliance background) A postgraduate qualification such as an LLM or compliance post graduate diploma would be advantageous. Technical/ Legal Certification Registration with an industry/professional body associated in accounting, business, law or compliance is advantageous. Experience Minimum 10 years experience (excluding law articles or SAICA training contract) Minimum 5 years experience in a management role. Experience in providing governance and company secretariat functions to an organisation in line with corporate governance guidelines, best practices, relevant legislation and regulations. Public speaking and media. Experience with legislation and governance (Companies Act, Labour Laws, King Code, etc) Previous experience in writing technical opinions. Knowledge and Skills Business Acumen - Knowledge and understanding of the principles of business, the application thereof, the opportunities within business and the seizure of such opportunities Financial Knowledge - Knowledge and understanding of financial practices and standards prescribed by regulation authorities HR policy and procedures - Understanding HR policies and procedures to support people management processes Information Technology - Understanding of ICT prescribed practices and legislative requirements for data security and information management Legislative process -Knowledge of the legislative process and the procedures on how legislation is passed Intellectual Property -Basic knowledge and understanding of creating and protecting intellectual property. Governance and Compliance - Ability to implement and follow governance and compliance procedures

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA

Posted Date: 10/9/2025