Purpose of the Role:
To build and implement processes to respond to the supervisory and regulatory elements of the Ombud
Council’s mandate. This entails ensuring that functions such as ombud scheme recognition, designation,
rule-making, supervision and enforcement are developed and implemented in line with the organisation’s
operating principles. It also entails developing and implementing the Ombud Council’s stakeholder
engagement and consumer awareness initiatives.
Requirements:
Undergraduate degree including relevant subject areas being law, financial sector regulation, compliance,
risk management, and / or economics. A postgraduate qualification in relevant subject areas, with relevance
to the financial sector would be advantageous. Minimum 10 years’ demonstrated experience of working in
or closely engaging with the financial sector supervisory, regulatory or policy environments. Minimum 10
years’ demonstrated experience in developing, analysing, implementing, enforcing and / or supervising
compliance with financial sector laws. Experience in or demonstrated exposure to the ombud or other
alternative dispute resolution environment will be an advantage. Experience in consumer education or
consumer protection initiatives will be an advantage
Key Performance Areas:
• Manage recognition applications and scheme governing rule approvals from current and new ombud
schemes in accordance with statutory obligations and timelines in FSR Act
• Deal with jurisdictional matters and manage overlaps between ombud schemes, including appropriate
consultation with schemes to identify jurisdictional gaps and overlaps and using Ombud Council
designation powers under the FSR Act to address these.
• Facilitate collaboration between ombuds and ombud schemes regarding complaints about financial
institutions as contemplated in the FSR Act.
• Develop and implement a regulatory plan for the identification, development, consultation on and
finalisation of appropriate Ombud Council Rules, with a focus on increased alignment of scheme
processes and develop such Rules in accordance with the processes and timelines in the FSR Act.
• Develop and implement a supervision plan to monitor the performance and compliance of ombud
schemes, including through carrying out on-site inspections of ombud schemes and gathering
information from schemes, in accordance with the FSR Act.
• Manage ombud scheme reporting processes in accordance with the FSR Act, including ensuring that
the structure and content of ombud scheme reporting requirements are appropriately aligned.
• Manage and respond appropriately to complaints about the conduct of ombud schemes, including
initiating enforcement action where appropriate.
• Identify opportunities for Ombud Council support of awareness and consumer education initiatives of
ombud schemes, the FSCA and other stakeholders and provide such support.
• Coordinate and implement consumer education and awareness initiatives in collaboration with ombud
schemes, the FSCA or other applicable stakeholders.
• Coordinate enforcement actions where required to address contraventions by ombud schemes,, in
accordance with applicable FSR Act provisions.
• Work closely with the CEO / Chief Ombud, the National Treasury and other affected stakeholders in terms of policy reform to remain abreast of evolving regulatory frameworks, particularly to identify
implications for the regulatory and supervisory functions of the Ombud Council and ensure the Ombud
Council’s interests are addressed.
• Participate in discussions and support the Chief Ombud to co-ordinate engagements with the National
Treasury, ombud schemes and other key stakeholders on the impact of and implementation of
legislative and regulatory reforms, including the World Bank Diagnostic recommendations.
• Ensure that regulatory and supervisory plans and processes take appropriate account of evolving
regulatory reforms.
• Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement plan, together with the Head: Operations
• Ensure appropriate communication and ongoing engagement with all statutory and industry ombud
schemes.
• Work closely with the FSCA, other applicable regulatory authorities and ombud schemes in developing
appropriate processes for providing analysis on complaint related trends in the industry as well as
feedback on conduct of financial institutions.
• Manage the interface with the FSCA and other applicable regulatory authorities, especially on the core
supervisory and regulatory functions, where there are interdependencies.
• Support the Chief Ombud with the management of the media on any issues pertaining to the promotion
of or reputational risk to the Ombud Council.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Head of Operations to support the Ombud Council’s
achievement of and reporting on its performance commitments.
• Support the Chief Ombud in ensuring appropriate communication with and reporting to the Board on
matters within the scope of the role.
Other Key Competencies:
The candidate must have a demonstrated record of creative thinking and innovative approaches on financial
sector regulatory or business conduct issues, policies, programmes and projects. Demonstrated experience
working at a senior management or senior expert level.
Ombud Council is committed towards increasing the representation of marginalised groups in line with its
Employment Equity Plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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.
Kindly visit https://www.fsca.co.za/Pages/Careers.aspx to apply before the closing date: 29 December
2023.