Sharleen Govender
Legal Compliance Officer
Richards Bay,KZN
Summary
Detail-oriented Legal Compliance Officer offering years of expertise in risk management, policy development and strategic planning. Advanced knowledge of regulatory compliance with proven track record of partnering with executives and business leaders to identify vulnerabilities and create corrective actions. Collaborative and team-oriented with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster strategic partnerships and promote company reputation. Experienced with regulatory compliance, risk management, and policy implementation. Utilizes strategic planning to ensure adherence to industry standards. Track record of fostering culture of compliance and ethical conduct. Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
RISK AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR
Transnet NPA
- Assist in ensuring compliance with safety legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Assist with safety audits at Port operational business units and Port Authority departments.
- Consolidation of safety statistics for EXCO and head office reporting.
- Plan and co-ordinate safety meetings for internal and external stakeholder engagements.
- Assist with incident and accident investigations and reporting to business unit managers.
- Assist with risk assessments, gap analyses and mitigation of all risks.
- Processing requisitions for safety departments and stock control.
- Plan and co-ordinate safety training, workshops and functions.
- Leading the implementation of the personnel ID card system for Port access control.
HR OFFICER
Intertop Manufacturing
- Personnel Data maintenance and record safekeeping.
- Calculation and preparation of salaries and wages for pay out to employees.
- Consolidation of HR statistics for management reporting.
- Management of petty cash reimbursements and disbursements.
ADMIN CLERK
Nariansingh Sons
- Coordinate office activities
- Switch Board Operator - answer, screen, and direct calls
- Management of petty cash
- Assist with banking
- Check and verify daily sales
LEGAL COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Bell Equipment
09.2025 - Current
- Co Secretary responsibilities, statutory compliance and governance for all South African subsidiaries and international companies.
- Ensure compliance through management or execution of compliance project initiatives.
- Credit committee - attend meetings, take minutes, prepare committee packs, and track action Items.
- Compliance training coordination - coordinate training across the Group including FICA, Contracts, and Group Authority schedules. Evaluate and Identify training needs to ensure compliance.
- Maintain group contracts management - manage administration of approval, signature, and loading of contracts using contract summary forms.
- Monitor Annual Employee Governance Declaration Exercise.
- Ensure policies and procedures are kept updated and approved - ensure that the latest policies and procedures are published on NETconsent and Intranet.
- Maintain planned schedule - External and Internal audits - conduct and support audits Including POPIA, GDPR, Modern Slavery, Contract Management, King V and planned External audits e.g., FICA, POPIA, GDPR, etc.
- Ensure Compliance with POPIA and GDPR, including acting as company's designated Deputy Information Officer.
- Ensure Compliance with PAIA/POPIA Reporting - prepare and submit annual reports to the Information Regulator.
- Vendor Management Compliance - review and ensure GDPR/POPIA compliance through DPIA whenever required.
- Monitor Bell Investor Relations Website to ensure accurate, updated Bell Information, Privacy / PAIA manuals are published.
- Monitor Legal Compliance and Strategic Risk Register (POPIA/GDPR) co-ordinate, review and update the risk register quarterly basis.
- Monitor changes in relevant legislation and regulatory environment.
- Maintain the systems that ensure the company complies with legal and statutory requirements.
- Promoted from IT Legal Compliance Officer to Legal Compliance Officer.
IT LEGAL COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Bell Equipment
02.2022 - 08.2025
- Research industry compliance regulations and policies (global as pertains to organisation).
- Evaluate internal operational and procedural compliance, conduct risk assessments and make recommendations to EXCO on mitigation strategies.
- Review, analyse and update existing compliance policies and related documentation (ISO 27001:2013, NIST)
- Communicate compliance policies and guidelines to Management and designated departments.
- Develop and execute new compliance policies, guidelines and procedures, as required, to ensure up-to-date GRC environment.
- Develop, implement, and maintain compliance recordkeeping system.
- Keep compliance with requirements and amendments updated to regulatory standards.
- Develop training material and train employees in industry compliance requirements.
SAFETY & WELLNESS CONSULTANT
Alexis Beauty and Wellness Spa
11.2015 - 01.2022
RISK MANAGER
Mondi SA - Richards Bay Mill
11.1999 - 10.2015
- Manage Safety, Health, Fire, Security and Contractor control (Risk management Team)
- Ensure compliance with all legislation including safety, health, fire and security, (OHSAS 18001, SANS 16001, NFPA and ISO 14001), including Mondi Group safety standards and protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Assist and coordinate Group Insurance with audits and assessments.
- Advise Managing Director, Operations Mill Manager and Business Unit Managers on relevant safety issues, updates, and recommendations.
- Facilitate and participate in internal and external audits and mitigate risks to business.
- Report on safety statistics and trends to EXCO and Group.
- Authorize and manage Safety, Health, Fire and Contractor Control management system (Procedures, work instructions, safe operating procedures, emergency procedures, etc)
- Management of the Electronic Incident reporting, Risk Assessment and Safe work procedure database. Follow-up and ensure close off corrective actions.
- Facilitate and plan annual mill shuts with management team
- Facilitate incident and accident investigations; report on learnings and controls implemented.
- Facilitate risk assessments, identify gaps and implement mitigation controls measures.
- Manage the Behavioural-Based Safety process to correct unsafe behaviour.
- Analyse data from the BBS process and provide feedback to management. Follow up on action plans
- Manage contractor risk management (ensure compliance with safety legislation and access control requirements)
- Facilitate Mill emergency drills with the fire department and regular training exercises.
- Facilitate SHE Management meetings and contribute to improving safety standards & protocols.
- Preparation and management of departmental budget and expenditure.
Education
B.Tech Degree - Safety Management
01-2007
National Diploma - Safety Management
01-2005
Certificate - Environmental Management Systems: Lead Auditor
01-2002
Certificate - SABS ISO 14001, SABS 9000 / Safety and Health: Integration of Management Systems
01-2001
Certificate - SAMTRAC (Cum Laude)
01-1997
Skills
Health and safety management
Risk assessment expertise
Incident & Accident Investigations
Project implementation oversight
Contract Management
Crisis & Change Management
Strategic planning
Accomplishments
- Invited by Board of Directors to present safety achievements in Vienna, Austria.
- Awarded the trophy for 'Operations manager of the year' by Mondi Group GM.
- Mondi Kraft, SilvaCel was awarded 3rd position for the Safety CEO award across the global Anglo-American Group.
- Awarded the trophy from General Manager for the 'Ovelele Award'.
- Awarded Achiever award merit certificate for the 'SHAWU' Award presented by the CEO of Anglo American.
- Represented Mondi Business Paper and Mondi Packaging South Africa at the SHE Board Executive meeting held in Vienna, Austria.
- SilvaCel was awarded the Safety Mongoose award for 1st position within Mondi Business Paper and Mondi Packaging Division of Southern Africa.
Additional Qualifications
- IT Contracts Training
- King V Training
- FICA Awareness Training
- Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) Lead Implementer
- ISO 22301:2019
- Privacy Information Management System - ISO 27701: 2019
- Information Security Management System (ISMS) Lead Implementer
- ISO/IEC 27001:2022
- POPIA Compliance
- Diploma: Counselling SA
- Advanced Risk Assessment
- Modern Safety and Risk Management
- Root Cause Analysis
- COVID19 Medical Screening & Testing in different workplaces
- Root Cause Analysis Technique
- Safety, Health & Environment Risk Management
- ISO 45001:2008 Introduction
- ISO 45001:2008 Implementation
- SANS ISO 16001
- ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001
- Environmental Law
- Auditor Training
- Environmental Legal Liability
- Business Planning & Budgeting
- Finance for Non-Financial Manager
- Fixed Assets Walkdown Technician
- Radiation Safety Training
- Basic Scaffolding Inspection Course
- Safety Permit
- IT IS
- NOSA 5
- System
- Basic Ambulance Assistant Course
- Management Development Module 1 (Personal Effectiveness)
- Module 2 (Knowledge management)
- Module 3 (Results Orientation)
- Module 4 (Leadership)
Successes
- Implementation and certification of OHSAS 18001 - Mondi SilvaCel.
- Implementation of the Behavioural-Based Safety Process within the business.
- Achieved 2 million man-hours loss time injury free in 2005., 2005-01-01
- Produced and rolled out a safety industrial theatre that was roll-played by the SilvaCel BBS steering committee (permanent and contractor employees).
- Implementation and certification of OHSAS 18001 - Mondi Richards Bay.
- Implementation and certification of SANS 16001-HIV/AIDS Management System.
- Achieved 2.6 million man-hours lost time injury free in 2009., 2009-01-01
Attributes And Competencies
- Safety first attitude
- Ethical
- Trustworthy
- Diligent
- Agile
- Compassionate
- Crisis management
- Decision-making
- Excellent communicator
- Credible
Languages
English
Timeline
LEGAL COMPLIANCE OFFICER - Bell Equipment
09.2025 - Current
IT LEGAL COMPLIANCE OFFICER - Bell Equipment
02.2022 - 08.2025
SAFETY & WELLNESS CONSULTANT - Alexis Beauty and Wellness Spa
11.2015 - 01.2022
RISK MANAGER - Mondi SA - Richards Bay Mill
11.1999 - 10.2015
RISK AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR - Transnet NPA
HR OFFICER - Intertop Manufacturing
ADMIN CLERK - Nariansingh Sons
UNISA - National Diploma, Safety Management
Potchefstroom University - Certificate, Environmental Management Systems: Lead Auditor
Potchefstroom University - Certificate, SABS ISO 14001, SABS 9000 / Safety and Health: Integration of Management Systems
NOSA - Certificate, SAMTRAC (Cum Laude)
UNISA - B.Tech Degree, Safety Management