CENTRAL ENERGY FUND (CEF) VACANCIES

CENTRAL ENERGY FUND (CEF)

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCY

EXECUTIVE: LEGAL AND COMPLIANCE: CEF TRADING

CEF is a Schedule 2 state owned diversified energy company reporting to the Department of Mineral & Petroleum Resources. The Mandate of CEF is to contribute to the security of energy supply of South Africa and the Region through exploration, acquisition, development, marketing and strategic partnership. It is derived from the CEF Act (No 38 of 1977) and the Ministerial directives issued thereafter.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Executive: Legal & Compliance provides strategic leadership and oversight of the organisation's legal, governance, regulatory compliance and risk management functions to ensure that CEF Trading operates within an effective governance framework, complies with all applicable legislative and regulatory requirements, and manages legal and commercial risks appropriately. The role is accountable for protecting the organisation's legal interests, enabling strategic commercial transactions, supporting sound corporate governance practices, overseeing regulatory compliance obligations and providing executive-level legal advice to the CEO, Board and management.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Matric and LLB / Commercial Law degree or equivalent qualification.
• 10 years’ experience of which 8 years must be at senior management level within legal, governance, compliance or regulatory environments with 3 to 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Admission as an Attorney is requirement.
• Experience providing legal support for complex commercial transactions.
• Experience overseeing governance and compliance functions.
• Experience engaging with Boards and governance committees.
• Experience managing litigation and legal risk.
• Experience operating within regulated industries.
• Experience within SOEs, energy, infrastructure or commercial sectors is advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience managing external legal advisors and specialist service providers.
• Master's degree (NQF 9) in the relevant field will serve as an added advantage.

DESIRED ADDITIONAL SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced knowledge of legal frameworks in the petroleum and minerals sector
• Advanced knowledge of risk and compliance frameworks
• Knowledge of refinery operations, environmental laws and industry specific regulations
• Expertise in legal drafting, contract negotiation and regulatory reporting
• Familiarity with risk management tools and compliance frameworks
• King IV principles and corporate governance frameworks
• Board of Governance, PFMA and Treasury Regulations
• Enterprise risk management, Strategic Legal advisory and Policy development
• Risk assessment, mitigation and Contract negotiation skills
• Commercial Transaction Support and Legal drafting and interpretation
• Commercial risk analysis and Legal analysis and interpretation

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

Legal strategy and advisory services

• Provide strategic legal advice to the CEO, Board and Executive Team.
• Support strategic initiatives, investments and commercial transactions.
• Interpret legal and regulatory developments affecting the organisation.
• Develop legal strategies to support organisational objectives.

Commercial contracts and Transaction Legal Support

• Oversee negotiation, drafting and review of commercial agreements.
• Support strategic transactions, partnerships and investment activities.
• Manage legal due diligence activities.
• Ensure contractual arrangements adequately protect organisational interests.

Governance and Corporate secretariat Support

• Oversee governance frameworks and governance reporting.
• Support Board and Committee processes.
• Ensure compliance with governance requirements.
• Maintain governance policies and delegated authority frameworks.

Regulatory compliance & ethics management

• Develop and oversee compliance management programmes.
• Monitor regulatory developments and obligations.
• Promote ethical conduct and integrity.
• Ensure implementation of compliance controls.

Litigation and Legal Risk Management

• Oversee litigation strategy and dispute resolution processes.
• Manage external legal advisors and specialist counsel.
• Monitor legal risk exposure.
• Implement legal risk mitigation strategies

Enterprise Governance, Risk and Assurance Oversight

• Provide governance oversight of legal and compliance risks.
• Monitor governance and assurance activities.
• Support organisational risk management initiatives.
• Ensure legal and compliance risks are escalated appropriately.

Executive reporting and strategic decision support

• Provide legal, governance and compliance reports to the CEO, Board and Committees.
• Present material legal, governance and regulatory risks.
• Support executive and Board decision-making.
• Recommend governance and compliance improvements.

Closing Date:  07 November 2026

NOTE: The successful candidate/s for the advertised position/s will be required to undergo personnel suitability checks, which includes, criminal records, citizenship, financial checks, qualifications and previous employment (Reference checks). It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that foreign qualifications are evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority and the evaluation certificate is attached to the application on submission. If you do not hear from the CEF SOC three months after the closing date of the advertisement, consider your application unsuccessful.  CEF SOC reserves the right not to fill this position. CEF SOC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and it is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment, especially in respect of race, gender and disability. This position will be filled in accordance with the CEF SOC Employment Equity Plan.

Department: Legal, Risk, and Compliance

Contract Type: Permanent

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