Chief Ombud (Chief Executive Officer)
Duration: 5 Year fixed term contract Ref: CEO01/2022
The Ombud Council is a regulatory body established as a financial services body and public entity under the Financial Sector Regulation (FSR) Act No.9 of 2017. The newly established Ombud Council is seeking a Chief Executive Officer currently called the Chief Ombud.
Purpose of the Role: To assume responsibilities as set out in Chapter 14 of the FSR Act 2017 in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of management and administration on of the Ombud Council by achieving the objectives and performing the functions of the Ombud Council which includes exercising the powers and carrying out the duties associated with those functions as set out in the FSR Act; and, to establish and implement appropriate and effective governance systems and processes, in promoting independence, transparency and accountability of ombud scheme operations and ombud decision making.
Requirements: A Master’s degree or Post Graduate degree in Law, Social Sciences or Business; extensive knowledge of the South African financial services regulatory environment (at least 10 years appropriate experience), particularly in relation to market conduct legislation and legislation applicable to ombud schemes, is essential; and a sound knowledge and understanding of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The candidate must have a full understanding of Public Sector and knowledge of the appropriate legislation and regulations – demonstrated experience working at the executive level in the Public Sector will be an advantage. A good knowledge and/or understanding of the financial services industry is essential. Must be able to display change management capability, good planning, excellent communication, and facilitation skills, and be able to work with all levels of management across the financial sector.
Key Performance Areas: Ensure the performance of the functions of the Ombud Council, as set out in Chapter 14 of the FSR Act, including exercising the powers and carrying out the duties associated with those functions • Assume responsibilities as set out in Chapter 14 of the Financial Sector Regulation (FSR) Act 2, in establishing the Ombud Council; and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of management and administration including drafting of policies and strategies for the Ombud Council • Ensure that applicable statutory requirements for recognition of a scheme or the variation, suspension or revocation of such recognition are followed as set out in sections 196 – 200 of the FSR Act • Ensure the making of Ombud Council rules, where applicable, ensuring that financial customers have access to and are able to use affordable and effective, independent and fair alternative dispute resolution processes for complaints about financial institutions • Ensure trend analysis of complaints and other issues and inform the FSCA and the Minister of Finance as per the FSR Act • Manage the relationship between industry Ombuds and statutory ombuds, manage overlaps of jurisdiction and generally ensure that there is no forum shopping by financial institutions or customers • Encourage cooperation and collaboration between ombuds and ombud schemes regarding complaints about financial institutions in relation to financial products and financial services and to the extent possible through Ombud Council rules • Manage the affairs of the Ombud Council through ensuring proper governance in an efficient and effective way and establish and implement appropriate and effective governance systems and processes, including disclosure of interest functions as set out in sections 193.7(a) and 193.10 of the FSR Act • Manage change in an evolving policy landscape for the ombud system, including the potential for changes in the nature and scope of the activities of the Ombud Council and ombud schemes thus keeping abreast of relevant policy and regulatory changes and ensuring that the Ombud Council is enabled to adapt to them appropriately.
Other Key Competencies: The candidate must demonstrate the following skills and attributes: Strategic leadership and people management, strategic planning, management and implementation, stakeholder management, effective problem solving, me management, excellent report writing skills, a team player, able to motivate and negotiate, presentation skills, and able to perform consistently under pressure. The successful candidate must have a good knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulations.
The Ombud Council is an equal opportunity organisation that is committed to Diversity and Inclusion.
Please note that correspondence and communication will only be conducted with short listed candidates and that the Ombud Council reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified. Interested candidates should forward their CVs for the attention of Mrs. C. Nyoni at the e-mail address: COCEO@basadzi.co.za no later than CLOSING DATE: 17 JUNE 2022.