THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO) TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

• Provide well-considered retirement benefits counselling and advice to members of SURF.

• Provide members and clients with information and advice on investments, legislation and pending legislative changes which could impact the participating employer’s benefit structure.
• Handle member queries with circumspection and confidentiality.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ongoing interaction with employee benefits consultants, SURF’s participating employers and other service providers, as required.
• Provide investment, retirement benefits and member portal presentations to members.
• Liaison to assist and escalate administration and member portal queries.
• Continuous educational development in field of expertise.
• Detailed knowledge of group risk benefit arrangements.
• Attend management committee meetings when needed.
• Be able to develop, maintain and enhance relationships not only with clients/consultants but the wider employee benefits team.

TCF

• Adhere to high service standards to conform with TCF principles.
• Keep abreast of latest TCF information and guidelines.

ROLE QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• A post graduate qualification related to employee benefits or law.
• CFP would be advantageous.
• Membership of a professional body (e.g. FPI).
• Excellent knowledge of legislation governing retirement funds.
• FAIS qualifications.
• 3-5 years employee benefits consulting experience.
• Good understanding and interpretation of Pension funds, FAIS and related legislation

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

• Strong knowledge of employee benefit industry
• Strong knowledge of Pension Funds, FAIS and related legislation
• Compliance and governance of pension fund structures
• Pension Fund Act and Regulations associated circulars issued by registrar
• Working knowledge of Retirement Fund Law, Income Tax Act, Labour Relations Act, Divorce Act and Long-Term Insurance Act
• Knowledge of Financial Sector Regulations Act
• Knowledge of retail products (retirement annuity funds, living annuities, life annuities and unit trusts) as many complaints (Adjudicator, FAIS Ombud and even social media complaints) relate to these.
• Microsoft Office

Please be advised that an applicant will automatically be excluded from the application process if he or she:

• Has contravened any of the requirements and standards of a regulatory body, professional body, government or its agencies,
• Has been dismissed from a position of trust, fiduciary appointment or similar position; has been disqualified under the South African Companies Act and any other financial services legislation or regulation, or,
• Has been convicted of offences relating to dishonesty, fraud or financial crimes