About the position
Postion Summary:
The NRF seeks to appoint an Assistant Company Secretary reporting to the Company Secretary.
Key Responsibilities:
- A
- Provision of Secretarial Services and Meeting Administration Services:• Support the provision of end-to-end secretarial services to the Board and the 4 x Board Committees and NRF CorpEx and any other forum related to these
- • Attend meetings and taking minutes on behalf of the Company Secretary, as may be required
- • Distribution of notifications of scheduled meetings well in advance and scheduling of additional meetings
- • Liaising to follow up on availability and ensure that attendance for meetings will quorate
- • Manage the maintenance of all statutory records and filing in accordance with the relevant Act (electronic, physical and the NRF ERDMS system)• Take full responsibility for the recording of decisions and issuing their resolutions
- • Provide administrative assistance to the organisation on all corporate secretarial queries and information needs (such as FICA requests, facilitating signatures of documents and B-BBEEE audits [Board-related] B
- Provide Board and Executive Support as per King IV and NRF Act and other applicable legislation• Serve as a support channel and competent Deputy in the absence of the Company Secretary
- • Assist in the proper induction, orientation, ongoing training and education of Directors and Executives, including assessing the specific training needs of the Directors and Executive Management in their fiduciary and other governance responsibilities
- • Assist in providing Board and Executive (collectively / individually) with guidance as to their rights, duties, responsibilities and powers
- • Support in making the Directors and Executives aware of the Company’s policies and rules
- • Assist in developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and industry bodies through ensuring effective communication to internal and external audiences, and growth of relationship with regulators and as applicable Government
- • Assist in the annual Board Assessment and external independent evaluation process
- • Collate Board member declaration and conflict of interest forms and maintain filing systems
- • Ensure that CoSec processes and systems are compliant with the organisational DoA
- • Communicate directly, and on behalf of the Company Secretary, with Board members and others
- C
- Board and Executive Governance Co-ordination• Communicate directly, and on behalf of the Company Secretary, with Board and Executive members and others
- • Manage projects, research and prepare appropriate reports or presentations independently
- • Handle correspondence and documentation for the Company Secretary, including financial reports and documentation of a sensitive or confidential nature using a high degree of discretion
- • Research, prioritise and follow up on incoming issues and concerns for the Company Secretary
- • Review and improve operating practices within the function to ensure it operates to its optimum
- • Set up and manage agreed communication system and protocols to ensure consistent standards in all communications from the Company Secretary
- • Ensure that the Board sub-committee, and relevant CorpEx Committees’ charters and terms of reference, are relevant and updated
- • Manage the recording of Board remuneration for verification by the Company Secretary and further processing with finance
- • Assist and provide inputs to the annual review of the Board Charter and Committee Terms of Reference and CorpEx ToR
- • Assist and provide inputs to the NRF Annual Report Governance section (Honoraria verification, Board & Board Committee Attendance and the Board experience)• Assist, research and provide inputs into Governance policies for which CoSec will be policy-owners
- D
- People and Leadership• Work effectively in a demanding environment with competing priorities
- • Support the Company secretary in identifying, supporting, and retaining high potential and scarce skills talent, for the benefit of the business
- • Responsible for developing and supporting the growth of those reporting to the role
- • Collaborate and work collaboratively with others as part of a task
- • Consistently exhibit exceptional communication skills to discharge duties in interactions with the Board members, senior management and external stakeholders and employees
- • High personal resilience to cope with the demands of a high-pressure job
- • Retain the highest standard of ethics, integrity, and professionalism
- Deeply values and embraces a culture of trust, respect, and openness
- • High level of emotional intelligence
Minimum Qualification:
- Honours Degree / Post Graduate Qualification / Professional Qualification / NQF 8
Minimum Experience:
- Relevant 3-year tertiary qualification [LLB Degree or B
- Com Law or CGISA Programme]Admission as an attorney of the High Court an advantage
- CGISA (Chartered Governance Institute of SA) qualification – with completed Board exams an advantage
Experience:
- 3 – 5 years working experience as an Assistant Company Secretary, with a specific focus on company secretarial, governance and Board support
- At least 3 - 5 years experience in a commercial or government environment
- Demonstratable experience of working with Board members and Executives, managing multiple stakeholders and priorities
- Able to seamlessly deputise the Company Secretary and handle sensitive matters of the Board
Knowledge:
- • Knowledge of legal/corporate governance requirements and always applies these in his/her role as Company Secretary
- • Knowledge of leadership and management principles
- • Knowledge of Corporate Governance Principles, relevant Codes and Legislation, particularly the King IV
- • Knowledge of PFMA
- • Knowledge of technical aspects of company secretariat
- • Knowledge of Public Sector will be an advantage
The NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant·s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.
Desired Skills:
- Skilled in applied field of position
- Knowledge to be relevant
- Responsible in performing duties
About The Employer:
The National Research Foundation (NRF) is established by an Act of Parliament and mandated to contribute to national development by supporting, promoting and advancing research and human capacity development, through funding and the provision of the necessary research infrastructure, in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including humanities, social sciences and indigenous knowledge; and supporting and promoting public awareness of, and engagement with, science. The NRF is a well-established organisation that is highly networked within the knowledge system, nationally and internationally. It is the principal organisation responsible for promoting the national research enterprise and is the primary public funder of postgraduate students and researchers and provider of research infrastructure in the country. It has well-developed, best practice research evaluation and support systems.
