Specialist Senior Counsel: Commercial

Overview

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Specialist Senior Counsel:
Commercial in the Legal and Compliance Department. The incumbent will assist the CSIR to commercialise its Intellectual Property assets and maximise its financial sustainability by providing comprehensive expert commercial legal advice; actively mitigating all legal commercial and contractual risks and safeguarding the legal rights of the organisation and its brand. The position is based in Pretoria and reports to the Manager:
Legal Services. A hybrid working arrangement is possible for this position.

• Legal Strategy – Input into the CSIR legal strategy with a focus on intellectual property commercialisation and corporate commercial matters; provide expert advice and support for planning and implementing IP commercialisation efforts and commercial strategies; ensure alignment between CSIR business/operational strategies and Legal Services.
• Governance, Risk and Compliance – Enforce IP and commercial policies, procedures, standards, norms and best practices; stay abreast of changes in IP and corporate commercial legislation to ensure compliance and up-to-date governance frameworks; advise on interpretation and implementation of new/draft legislation relevant to IP commercialisation; ensure staff training on corporate commercial legislation awareness; contribute to cost effectiveness, risk reduction and optimisation of commercial opportunities.
• Legal Corporate Commercial Service Delivery – Provide corporate commercial legal information and recommendations; offer sound expert legal advice, identify risks and take action for prevention and correction on matters such as IP and corporate commercial transactions, contracts, litigation, competition law and commercialisation of outputs; coordinate external assistance and act as liaison with external counsel; provide subject matter expertise to the organisation;
  
  draft and review commercial contracts and negotiate terms to protect the organisation; manage litigation matters; support administration and management of contracts and legal documents; nurture relationships with internal and external stakeholders and build new ones where possible.
• Support to Culture and Continuous Improvement – Create a culture of customer service and continuous improvement; identify gaps for staff training or development to assist with knowledge transfer of corporate commercial legal knowledge.

• A Bachelor's degree in Law, LLB or equivalent with at least eight years' experience as a corporate commercial legal advisor with a track record in:
  Intellectual Property and Patent matters (operational, legal, regulatory and policy);
  Contract negotiation, litigation, corporate commercial transactions, and competition law; and communication with senior executives.
• Admission as attorney or advocate of the High Court in good standing.
• A Masters Degree in Law or Business Management would be an added advantage.
• Understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to public entities.
• Experience with drafting, reviewing and negotiating contractual agreements.
• Possess and exhibit an inquisitive, creative (but practical), solutions-orientated and goal-focused mind-set.
• Understanding of the RD&I value chain.
• Ability to understand technologies across a range of disciplines.
• Familiarity with the NSI.
• Special Corporate Commercial Legal knowledge.
• Sound understanding of IP risk and organisational impact.
• In depth understanding of business operations and commercialisation within the RD&I environment.

NOTES PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on or email

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act of 1998. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, consents and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or SAPS (in relation to positions that require trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant's educational qualifications and employment history.

The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.