Job Description
Job vacancy: Deputy Head (Legal & Policy) within Banking Supervision in Grade 4 
Job code: BS/004/2022

About Banking Supervision:
Banking Supervision is responsible for the oversight of all licenced banking activities in Malta which includes non-bank financial institutions so as to ensure that these comply with all regulations and licence conditions, whilst having the necessary corporate governance and control structures in place. Banking Supervision's Legal & Policy team is mainly responsible for providing technical expertise in banking regulation to internal and external stakeholders, transposition and implementation of EU Law (Directives) and Regulations (EBA Guidelines and Recommendations). They also provide legal assistance to Banking Supervision, both through litigation and advice. The Policy & Legal team is active in representing the MFSA at the European level and is an active contributor to the European agenda regarding banking prudential regulation and supervision.

The Role:
The role involves the leadership of a team of policy and legal experts with oversight of issues in banking supervision, significant responsibilities assisting with the management of the relationship with the ECB, and membership of the unit's Senior Leadership Team responsible for the supervisory approach to banks and FIs in Malta. The role holder will gain significant exposure to Senior Management in the MFSA, ECB, and external organisations, develop their capabilities to deal with complex policy and legal issues, and expand their understanding of banking regulation in Malta and Europe. Applicants should demonstrate previous experience managing delivery through others, a good understanding of the EU policy environment, and ideally, a track record in banking.

Some duties you will be involved in will include:

• Contributing actively to the leadership of the department, improving its operations, and providing input into the supervisory approach of regulated banks and financial institutions.
• Delivering a strong working relationship with the MFSA's Central Legal Team and others to support the MFSA's interests;
• Taking an active role in the management of the relationship with the ECB, particularly its legal function and committees with responsibility for legal issues;
• Leading the relationship on policy development with the Ministry of Finance and Employment providing clear advice and supporting their engagement with external stakeholders;
• Leading, managing, and mentoring a team of high performing qualified individuals helping them to advance their personal development and careers;
• Representing the MFSA within the EBA, ECB, to the industry or industry groups, providing confidence in the MFSA's supervisory approach;
• Helping with the management of legacy issues, oversight of the production of legal or policy documents in banking, or the management of external legal counsel in relation to banking matters;
• Responsibility for providing advice on banking and financial institutions legislation and interpretations, as well as oversight of the MFSA's transposition of EU banking-related legislation into Maltese Law, including EBA guidelines;
• Taking responsibility for one's own personal development and career management within the MFSA and contributing to the MFSA's leadership team generally.

About You:
The role requires a Degree in Law (LL.D or Master of Advocacy level) or a comparable recognised legal qualification at National Qualification Framework Level 6 or better duly certified by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC), together with possession of a warrant to practice in the Courts of Malta. A post-graduate degree in a discipline relevant to the financial services sector would be considered an asset. You will also have a minimum of 6 years of working experience relevant to the role at a senior level. Candidates with longer working experience relevant to the role will be preferred. Knowledge of regulatory requirements applicable to the banking sector is vital, with a proven level of managerial skills and the personality required to supervise and manage staff, as well as a proven ability to delegate tasks.

To succeed within this role it is essential that you have:

• Proven leadership and managerial skills;
• An understanding of the policy development at the EU level and its application in member states. Especially those related to the banking sector;
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking experience with the ability to come up with pragmatic solutions in difficult situations;
• Ability to be a credible representative of the MFSA on the EU stage, with other regulators, firms, and other stakeholders;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders as may be necessary.

How to apply or query further information:
Candidates are to forward a copy of their Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) and an accompanying covering letter providing the motivation for the application. 

Other important information:
The MFSA is an Equal Opportunities Employer as certified by the NCPE (National Commission for the Protection of Equality) and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will take care to avoid any form of discrimination in its recruitment procedures. The MFSA reserves the right to withdraw this call at any time and not to select any of the Candidates. It is the responsibility of applicants in possession of qualifications awarded by Universities and other similar institutions outside Malta to produce a recognition statement on the comparability of qualifications issued by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC). Applicants should do so preferably at the application stage or otherwise at the preliminary interview should an applicant be selected for such interview. Details can be obtained by accessing the National Commission for Further and Higher Education website under MQRIC heading. The MFSA shall ensure that any processing of personal data is in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation), the Data Protection Act (Chapter 586 of the Laws of Malta) and any other relevant European Union and national law. For further details, you may refer to the Data Protection Policy on the MFSA webpage. Candidates are to note that the submission of any false statement/s or omission, even if unintended, may lead to the cancellation of their application and may render the candidate's appointment liable to termination. Furthermore, please note that candidates may be asked to submit any documentation in support of the information provided, including but not limited to, proof of qualifications and Police Conduct Certificates.

*Public Call Permit: 156/2022

Malta Financial Services Authority:
The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is the single regulator for financial services in Malta. It was established by law on 23 July 2002 taking over supervisory functions previously carried out by the Central Bank of Malta, the Malta Stock Exchange, and the Malta Financial Services Centre. The Authority is a fully autonomous public institution and reports to Parliament on an annual basis.