Tax Specialist Downstream

De Beers is the world’s leading rough diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. From its mining operations across Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada, De Beers produces and markets approximately 30% of the world’s supply of rough diamonds by value. Together with its joint venture partners in Botswana and Namibia, De Beers operates in more than 20 countries across six continents. De Beers’ gem mining operations span every category of diamond mining – open pit, underground, alluvial, coastal and under sea. De Beers is also engaged in retail branded diamond jewellery through its owned stores and franchises under its Brands & Diamond Desirability Business.

The group is passionate about people and is committed to creating a diverse workplace in which individuals can develop rewarding careers at all levels. This is done by providing innovative, stimulating work environments that allow our people space to lead, grow and develop.

Our vision is to transform diamond dreams into lasting realities and as a result we aim to attract and retain vibrant, innovative people who possess the unique skills and talents that will lead the De Beers Group into the future.

The purpose of this role is to support the Tax Manager – De Beers in the delivery of tax advisory, compliance and policy support to the downstream businesses and does so with a global perspective, focused on aligning the tax profile of the Group to its global footprint including through delivery of global Group tax priorities and initiatives.  

The Downstream Tax Specialist plays a key role in ensuring that the Tax Strategy and Tax Governance Framework is fully implemented and embedded across all aspects of tax work performed locally, such that tax risk is effectively managed.

Business Partnering

• Proactively support and partner with business across global De Beers Brands & Diamond Desirability / Downstream business and within Group Tax function with the aim of creating sustainable value for the Group and leading change.
• Work with a network of local tax advisors in various countries and internal Group Tax network to support De Beers Downstream BU activities.
• Support the development and maintenance of relationships with key personnel within the business and ensure they understand the strategy, tax risk framework and vision of Group tax.
• Understand and help the business to understand the value proposition, objectives, initiatives, delivery and resource requirements of Group Tax.
• Help to embed Group Tax as a valued partner in the local business, positioning Group Tax to have a forward looking posture through presence in relevant committees and other forums that it uses to influence and shape decision making in the local business.
• Support the creation of sustainable value through professional advice and planning in accordance with the Tax Strategy and Tax Governance Framework
• Help to deliver the provision of tax advice on major transactions, including acquisitions and disposals.
• Champion ways of working which result in strong collaboration with other parts of Group Tax as well as the Downstream business.

  External engagement

• Help to develop and enhance relationships with tax authorities, with a view to establishing ways of working that are consistent with the ethos of Co-operative Compliance.
• Monitor external developments and determine appropriate action.
• Engaging with and representing before the tax and appellate authorities and courts in case of notice, audits, assessment, litigation etc.

Compliance / Governance / Advisory / Risk / Policy

To support the Tax Manager in the implementation of the tax strategy and the management of the Group’s tax affairs for all Downstream entities.

• Manage direct and indirect tax compliance and reporting process to ensure compliance obligations are met, working together with external advisors, if required and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Support tax audits, disputes and tax litigation within the region.
• Support the development of relationships with key personnel within Group Tax and the local business and ensure they understand and apply Group Tax policies.
• Help to liaise with outside advisors (incl. auditors, legal, investment bankers and other advisors) to ensure proper and efficient tax planning, business partnering and solutions. 
• Assist with the review and updating of tax systems, procedures and policies.
• Provision of advice on day to day tax matters in the relevant country/region.
• Provide tax advice on transactions, including M&A (acquisitions and disposals) and transfer pricing.
• Assist with adherence to transfer pricing policies and procedures and to ensure compliance with local transfer pricing regulations including master file, local file and country-by-country obligations.
• Evaluate, assess and manage the in-country tax risk in line with the Tax Risk Management Policy.
• Raise awareness of issues within the group in and effectively communicate tax issues to management.
• End-to-end management of all uncertain tax positions.
• Maintain a tax policy framework in line with the group’s guidelines.
• Support the analysis of changes to regimes as the result of significant multilateral policy changes on Global basis and advice on the implication for the Group
• Monitor and communicate legislative changes and practice to the wider tax team and business as appropriate

Health, Safety & Environment

• Demonstrate behaviour in line with health, safety and environmental standards and with the Group’s values.
• Set the health, safety and environmental expectations for your team and monitor behaviour so that it meets the required standards.
• Participate in relevant safety audits, inspections and observations, and address issues as part of demonstrating safety leadership.

People / Team

• Support the Tax Manager – Downstream in building an effective team that works collaboratively with each other and with other teams to achieve business goals and create sustainable value.

People / Leadership

• Demonstrate behaviour in line with the Group’s values, standards and a professional workplace.
• Participate as an effective team member in working collaboratively with your leader, peers and relevant others (including from other teams) to achieve business goals.
• Contribute to the broader business by working with others in such a way that it optimises the overall business results, rather than just your team’s.

Financial

• Identify any opportunities for improved cost management and either address these or raise them with your manager as appropriate.
• Assist in the management of consulting spend and delivering sustainable value by delivering efficiencies in terms of the value received in comparison to the amount of money spent.

Work Processes

• Fully understand the policies, processes and systems which apply to your work.
• Identify any issues around these that interfere with your ability to complete work or meet the plan / strategy.
• For processes within your authority, make the required changes. For others, escalate these issues to seek action and / or look for alternative solutions.

Qualifications and Experience

•  Either a Chartered Accountant or equivalent accounting or legal degree

Mental Processing Ability

Demonstrates and displays knowledge and expertise in the Tax discipline, through tax planning and advisory skills, tax compliance skills and tax governance skills, and in particular

Ability to:

• Communicate key tax issues appropriately
• Apply commercial acumen including understanding the business impact of tax advice
• Understand & apply tax law, identify opportunities and management of implementation of such
• Develop ideas into practical solutions
• Ensure that appropriate tax risk management documentation is implemented
• Analyse a whole host of information and extract the pertinent facts and make a sound tax analysis thereof

• Demonstrate well-developed analytical, planning, and problem solving skills

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• High degree of commercial acumen.

• Strong working experience of International tax principles, global tax compliance, transfer pricing, tax residence, tax audits and litigation etc.
• High level understanding of tax concepts and laws.
• Is aware of how technology can be deployed to deliver efficiency, effectiveness and control to meet the defined business requirements
• Understanding and experience in a range of global tax disciplines, including indirect tax, corporate tax, transfer pricing, customs, etc
• Understanding and experience with handling tax disputes and audits across countries.
• Utilising efficient work practices.
• How to work independently and prioritise and deliver own projects.
• Good accounting practices.
• An understanding of the luxury retail industry would be an advantage.
• A proven track record of having worked in a similar role in the Tax field in Commerce, with a Big 4 Accounting firm or a Law firm is required.
• Significant relevant post qualification experience is required.
• Experience interacting with Executives would be an advantage.

Social Process Skills

Self-awareness

• Able to analyse own behaviours and impact on others and adapt behaviours to suit context and circumstances.
• Can observe ‘self’ in a variety of one-to-one and group encounters, reflecting and learning from the interactions, requesting feedback, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Recognises and accepts the need to put the overall business needs ahead of their own and can deal with the internal conflict/stress that may generate.

Team processes

• Understands their role as a team member and can translate into their day-to-day interactions.
• Understands the behaviour of individuals and the effects on the team, resolving conflicts.

Collaboration

• Establishes and nurtures relationships with stakeholders, by use of effective listening and questioning to better understand the other person or group.
• Understands how to influence or negotiate with others, in order to achieve productive outcomes.

Can effectively balance positive interactions with getting the work done.

Application and Energy

• Consistently displays a positive and engaged manner.
• Motivated and driven to meet high standards of delivery which create high customer approval.
• Remains focused in times of uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Strives to do things significantly better.

Other requirements to perform work effectively

• Demonstrate excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Perform under pressure and in changing circumstances.
• Demonstrate high degree of commercial acumen – understand the business and group wide impact of any advice given, and ability to influence people and effect change.
• Work and collaborate effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Demonstrate strategic thinking – Ability to analyse complex issues and design strategies to manage those issues.