Head, Legal Southern Africa Cluster & Botswana
Our business starts with your strengths
Role Responsibilities Strategy
• Take a leading role in managing Legal support for, and advising the RGC, Southern Cluster CEO and Management Team and Botswana CEO and Management Team on: (i) issues posing a threat to the Bank; and (ii) strategic projects in their Cluster and take overall responsibility for providing legal advice, guidance and support to business units and stakeholders across the Southern Cluster region on all legal matters.
• Act as a point of escalation for any material Southern Cluster Legal issues by maintaining close relationships with stakeholders including the Southern Cluster Country Executive Officers (CEO), Botswana CEO and Southern Cluster Heads of Businesses/Functions to provide them with relevant legal advice, guidance and support.
• Embed a Here for Good culture in the Southern Africa Cluster Legal team and comply with (and endeavour to ensure the Southern Cluster Legal team complies with) the Group Code of Conduct, whilst leading through example to set an appropriate tone and expectations from the regional Legal team as regards good conduct.
• Provide strategic and, where appropriate, proactive advice to the Southern Cluster and Botswana Management Teams and other requisite committees, on all legal and regulatory issues that have a significant impact on the region, working with external counsel as appropriate (and seek to proactively identify such issues).
• Support and collaborate with other Cluster Heads of Legal to develop effective strategies for identifying horizon risks for Legal and strengthening relationships with regional regulators.
Business
• Partner with other members of the Legal function and contribute (where appropriate and without duplication or overlap) to, complex Legal matters in their region for which they do not have overarching responsibility or accountability.
• Do not have primary responsibility for BAU Legal Support of CPBB, CCIB or FM Businesses in their Cluster and Country but should proactively provide feedback to the Head of Southern Cluster of CCIB and contribute (where appropriate and without overlap or duplication) to non BAU matters impacting CCIB/ PvB that (i) specifically pose a threat to the franchise in their Cluster and Country and/or (ii) where necessary in order to discharge their responsibilities as the primary legal adviser to the Southern Cluster CEO or CEO for Botswana.
Processes
• Is accountable for, and has primary responsibility over, managing Country Legal Panels in Botswana and Southern Cluster.
• Has primary responsibility over logistical and operational matters arising in their region which relate to the Southern Cluster Legal function, working with the RGC’s office and Legal COO team when appropriate.
• Where external counsel is appointed, ensure that the Southern Cluster Legal team liaises with external counsel is appointed, ensures the scope of work is defined and appropriate, the quality of work is overseen effectively, legal costs are managed, and that there is appropriate overall matter management.
• Work closely with, engage with and provide legal support where necessary to, the Regional Head of SIS and (where applicable) Regional Heads of Subsidiary Governance.
People and Talent
• Is accountable, and has primary responsibility over, management of Southern Cluster Legal team;
• Work with the RGC’s office and local HR teams to endeavour to ensure that their teams are adequately resourced and staffed by an appropriate number of competent staffs sufficiently independent to perform duties objectively, support sustainable business growth and address relevant legal risks (subject to budgetary constraints).
• Develop and implement strategy in the areas of resourcing, talent development, performance management, learning and development, engagement and succession planning for key team members.
• Provide input at business, function, country and individual level (as appropriate) on legal matters which may have a bearing on remuneration pools or individual bonuses as required in Southern Cluster.
Risk Management
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of the top risks facing the Group and the role played in managing them.
• Within the Group's overall Risk Management Framework, establish and maintain an appropriate risk-based approach to assessing, measuring, monitoring, managing and reporting Legal Risk arising in their areas of responsibility.
• Act as Process Owner for any Group or Country processes owned by Legal where such processes are executed by their teams. Be responsible for: (i) the management of such processes in line with the
Group's process universe as set out in the Group Enterprise Risk Management Framework; and (ii) associated risks, including activities within the processes which are carried out by the businesses or other functions or which are hubbed or outsourced.
Governance
• Endeavouring to ensure that any papers being tabled by Legal at Southern Cluster governance committees have been reviewed by the Southern Cluster Legal team and clearly articulate the issues and legal risks involved and any mitigants approved (as appropriate).
• Establish and maintain effective processes (including training, advice and support) to ensure that policies, procedures and standards addressing Legal risks are effectively implemented across the Southern Cluster Legal team.
• Have an awareness and understanding of the regulatory framework in which the Group operates, and the regulatory requirements and expectations relevant to the role.
• Work with local regulators (when required to do so) in an open and cooperative manner.
• Report to and participate in key risk control committees and management groups on relevant legal risks and issues. (applicable to committee members)
Regulatory & Business Conduct
• Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group’s Values and Code of Conduct.
• Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across Standard Chartered Bank. This includes understanding and ensuring compliance with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct.
• Lead the Southern Africa Cluster Legal team to achieve the outcomes set out in the Bank's Conduct Principles: Fair Outcomes for Clients; Effective Financial Markets; Financial Crime Compliance; The Right Environment.
• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters
Key Stakeholders
• Regional General Counsel AME
• Regional General Counsel’s Office, AME
• General Counsel
• Chairman of the Board and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Limited
• Other Board members
• Executive Committee members
• Regional CEO, Southern Africa Cluster
• Head of Subsidiary Governance AME
• AME Legal Management Team
• Corporate Affairs
• Business contacts within SCB (from a consultative perspective)
• Financial Services and other relevant Regulators
• Other relevant Group departments
• External service providers
Other Responsibilities
Embed Here for good and Group’s brand and values in Southern Africa Cluster and Botswana Legal Team; Perform other responsibilities assigned under Group, Country, Business or Functional policies and procedures; Multiple functions (double hats) regional and UAE, DIFC and ADGM responsibilities.
Our Ideal Candidate
• Qualified to practice as a solicitor/attorney (minimum 20 years).
• Experience in private practice or in-house of managing complex legal issues across Southern Africa Cluster.
• Understanding of risk management techniques.
• Able to work with senior management to develop and implement approved strategy.
• Able to lead a culturally diverse team across different functions and geographies.
• Ability to collaborate and work dynamically with country, regional, business and Group stakeholders.
• High level of sustained personal and team motivation.
• Have some experience in general banking law (transactional and advisory), and of handling regulatory/government investigations