The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:
Generate strategic insights and knowledge related to policy, regulatory and licensing developments within the NPS.
Effectively communicate and share relevant findings, research outputs and policy implications with internal and external stakeholders to support informed decision-making and collaborative engagement.
Continuously monitor the external environment to identify emerging trends, technologies and developments in the NPS.
Identify and coordinate research needs within the division.
Collect and synthesise relevant data to support research, analysis and reporting activities.
Conduct in-depth research on new standards, regulations and innovations impacting the payment space.
Track and analyse regulatory developments and standards issued by regional and international standard-setting bodies.
Proactively monitor any changes in local, regional and global regulations relevant to the payment environment.
Assess the effectiveness of existing policy, regulatory and licensing frameworks and procedures, and recommend enhancements.
Conduct impact assessments for proposed policy, regulatory and licensing frameworks, including socio-economic implications.
Analyse the economics of payments to inform policy, regulatory and licensing decisions.
Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate findings, insights and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
Provide expert advisory support on policy and regulatory matters to internal and external stakeholders.
Liaise with cross-functional teams – including the Economic Research Department, the Fintech Unit and others – to ensure alignment and collaboration on policy and regulatory research initiatives.
To be considered for this position, candidates must be in possession of:
the minimum of an Honours degree (NQF 8) in Economics, Finance or Law, or an equivalent qualification; and
the minimum of 5–8 years’ experience in research, policy development, regulatory analysis, socio-economic impact assessments and/or stakeholder engagement within the payment sector.
The following would be an added advantage:
a research qualification; or
experience in payment systems.
Additional requirements include:
industry, organisational and business awareness;
knowledge and skill in:
licensing, authorisations, designations and registrations;
the NPS;
the NPS legal framework and regulations, particularly the South African Reserve Bank Act National Payment System Act 78 of 1998 and directives issued thereunder, and other relevant legislation such as the Financial Sector Regulation Act, the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001;;
industry, business and organisations;
quality assurance;
continuous improvement;
continued learning/professional development;
risk management;
central banking; and
digital literacy;
the ability to:
problem-solve and analyse;
drive results;
promote teamwork;
develop and grow others;
communicate effectively;
build and maintain relationships;
have impact and influence;
have a service and stakeholder focus;
plan and organise;
judge and make decisions;
manage complexity and ambiguity; and
display innovation and creativity.
About SARB
Primary mandate of the SARB
Section 224 of the Constitution of South Africa states the mandate of the SARB as follows:
The primary object of the South African Reserve Bank is to protect the value of the currency in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth in the Republic.
The South African Reserve Bank, in support of its primary objective, must perform its functions independently and without fear, favour or prejudice.
WHAT WE DO
Monetary Policy
The Constitution gives the SARB the mandate to protect the value of the rand. We use interest rates to keep inflation low and steady.
Financial Stability
The SARB has a mandate to protect and enhance financial stability. We identify and mitigate systemic risks that might disrupt the financial system.
Prudential Regulation
The Prudential Authority regulates financial institutions and market infrastructures to promote and enhance their safety and soundness, and support financial stability.
Financial Markets
Open market operations are the main tool we use to implement monetary policy. We manage South Africa’s gold and foreign exchange reserves.
Financial Surveillance
The SARB is responsible for regulating cross-border transactions, preventing the abuse of the financial system and supporting the regulation of financial institutions.
Payments and Settlements
The SARB is responsible for ensuring the safety and soundness of the national payment system, which is the backbone of South Africa’s modern financial system.
Statistics
The SARB provides important economic and financial statistics that present an overview of the economic situation in South Africa.
Research
Research conducted by the SARB focuses on economics, financial stability, banking and emerging trends in finance. Our research supports policy decision-making.
Banknotes and Coin
The SARB has the sole right to make, issue and destroy banknotes and coin in South Africa.
The South African Reserve Bank (the SARB) is the central bank of the Republic of South Africa. It regards its primary goal in the South African economic system as "the achievement and maintenance of price stability".
The South African Reserve Bank maintains that South Africa has a growing economy based on the principles of a market system, private and social initiative, effective competition and social fairness. It recognises, in the performance of its duties, the need to pursue balanced economic development and growth.
