Introduction

NCT is a vibrant Forestry company based in KZN, with district offices throughout the province and further afield and manufacturing facilities in Durban and Richards Bay.  NCT employs 700+ staff, and with an annual turnover of more than R3 billion, is a major force in the forestry sector in Africa.  Established in 1949 as an agricultural co-operative, NCT markets its members’ timber to both domestic and international markets.  NCT prides itself as being the preferred market choice for independent timber growers in Southern Africa.

Duties & Responsibilities

General  The incumbent will give general assistance to the manager and must have strong experience in commercial law and legal compliance. Should be able to independently create the initial drafts of various documents | First line of interaction on matters within fields of expertise | Making legal contributions to the business as required (HR, commercial matters, land, property, and environmental affairs, regulatory compliance) | Legal research and writing advisory notes

Commercial Drafting contracts and legal documents | Vetting of third-party contracts | Assist with Competition Commission investigations | Prepare instructions to conveyancers

Governance and Corporate Law Assist with minutes of Board committees | Drafting resolutions | Assist with policy development in line with legislative changes | Assist with implementation of good governance codes (King, Co-ops Act, ESG)

Compliance Assist with development and maintenance of frameworks related to FICA, POPIA, PAIA, NCA, Companies Act, Co-ops Act, labour legislation etc. | Implement new frameworks including inhouse training | Co-ordinate implementation and training related to compliance frameworks | Assist with creating statutory reports and returns

Dispute Resolution Attend and defend matters in the CCMA | Instruct attorneys on new matters and doing case management | Attend court with attorneys as may be required | Attending to industrial relations matters.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Qualifications:  LLB or B. Com Law Admitted as an attorney

Professional Memberships: Legal Practice Council or CCASA

Skills:  General legal advising | strong drafting & research skills | Negotiation and mediation skills | Commercial awareness | Attention to detail.

Job specific technical skills: Office 365 and One drive | Windeed | knowledge of various legal forums (CCMA and various Courts) & regulatory bodies (POPIA, FIC, CIPC)  

Prior Experience: 3-5 years’ experience in Law firm (post articles) within Commercial, Labour, Corporate Law & General Legal Compliance | Knowledge of ESTA, LTA and Environmental laws will be advantageous | Experience as in-house counsel is preferable.

Personal attributes: Honesty, decisiveness, integrity, dedication, and a disciplined approach. Be able to distinguish facts from irrelevant detail. Being objective in all matters. Good problem solver & being able to work independently 

Language Skills Advanced Business English writing 

Working conditions: Based in Pietermaritzburg, occasional travelling.

Package & Remuneration

Market related salary · medical aid · pension fund.