Policy Analyst at South African Reserve Bank

• The main purpose of this role is to conduct financial sector prudential policy-related research and analysis to monitor and influence the policy positions of international financial sector standard-setting bodies as well as local policy matters set by National Treasury and the legislator. Deliverables will include guiding and engaging with National Treasury, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), financial sector regulators, the industry and other stakeholders on supporting the South African stance on policy matters.

Detailed Description
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

• Implement the SARB’s micro-prudential regulation and supervision strategic objective.
• Analyse relevance/appropriateness of developments in international standards as it impacts on the mandate of the Prudential Authority (PA).
• Develop and/or refine policy position tools and regulatory frameworks on banking, insurance, financial market infrastructures, financial inclusion and all other frameworks within the mandate of the PA.
• Administer and implement prudential policy and prudential policy tools.
• Design and implement cooperation and collaboration mechanisms with the SARB for the purposes of financial stability.
• Analyse domestic and global regulation and the impact of these in the fields of financial technology (fintech), banking, insurance and financial market infrastructures.
• Monitor global prudential policy implementation frameworks and the impact of these on local regulatory frameworks.
• Draft regulatory frameworks and instruments.
• Represent South Africa and influence international standard-setting bodies.
• Assist senior team members in representing the PA in Parliament and other forums on policy matters and legislation.
• Adopt and adapt international standards to South African requirements to be fit for purpose for the Republic, yet compliant with international criteria.
• Be a custodian of the PA Policy Panel and related governance processes, ultimately the Prudential Committee of the PA, including secretariat functions.
• Coordinate and complete international surveys.
• Provide input to the regulatory strategy for the PA to fulfil its functions and objectives as stipulated in the Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017 ( FSR Act).
• Draft and assist with maintaining memorandums of understanding with other financial sector regulators such as the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, National Credit Regulator, Financial Intelligence Centre as well as the SARB.
• Brief Divisional Heads, Heads of Department, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Governor and Deputy Governors on policy positions on specialised topics related to fintech.
• Represent the PA at various public forums ( e.g. at training, lecturing, presentations at conferences, and so forth).
• Coordinate the PA’s ‘house view’ in collaboration with the SARB and other regulators.
• Conduct and coordinate ad hoc research on prudential-related topics.
• Draft speeches for the Heads of Department, CEO, Governor and Deputy Governors on specialist topics.
• Prepare briefings on specialist topics for the CEO, Governor and Deputy Governors as well as Heads of Department to represent the PA/SARB view locally and internationally.
• Assist with the implementation of all future micro-prudential matters within the mandate of the PA.

Job Requirements
To be considered for this position, candidates must be in possession of:

• a degree in Accounting, Banking or Economics, Finance, Insurance and Law (post-graduate degree is advantageous); and
• at least five years’ relevant experience in the financial sector.

Additional requirements include:

having knowledge of and skills in:

• the financial sector;
• corporate governance and risk management practices and standards;
• international principles on fintech;
• insurance core principles, solvency II or solvency assessment and management;
• banking core principles, Basel III;
• problem-solving and analysis;
• planning and organising;
• verbal and written communication; and
• financial and business acumen;
• being a self-starter and a strong team player;
• paying keen attention to detail; and
• being uncompromising in maintaining confidentiality.