Legal Administration Officer (MR2): Litigation Support

Requirements

• LLB degree or relevant qualification as recognised by SAQA.
• A minimum of one (1) year post qualification legal/litigation experience.
• Knowledge of Environmental Law, Mining Law, Constitutional Law and Administrative Law.
• An ability to interpret and apply law, legislations, and policies.
• Good analytical and research skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Good legal drafting skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work in a team, a pro-active, problem-solving, and positive attitude.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines is essential.
• A Valid Code B drivers’ license and willingness to travel.

Duties

• Provide legal opinion on losses and damages suffered by the Department in line with Treasury Regulation and relevant policies.
• Draft legal opinion in line with litigation protocol.
• Handle litigation matters.
• Receive summons/ notice of motion.
• Determine the merits of matters and obtain documents/information from line functions.
• Consult line function and obtain instruction on defending or opposing.
• Send instructions to State Attorney and ensure that the counsel is appointed.
• Obtain status reports from State Attorneys on matters to update the litigation system.
• Ensure finalization of matters.
• Ensure the provision of litigation support to the Department.
• Facilitate training sessions relating to legal matters.
• Ensure that referrals, media and parliamentary enquiries are attended to as priority.

How to apply

New to the Z83 form? Read the application guide.

Enquiries

Notes from the department

• Application must be submitted on a New signed Z83 form obtainable from any Public Service Department accompanied by a recent detailed Curriculum Vitae only, to be considered.
• All attachments for online application must include an application form Z83 and CV only, in PDF and as one (1) document or attachment, indicate the correct job title and the reference number of the post on the subject line of your email.
• Use the correct email address associated with the post.
• JPEG (picture/snapshot) application will not be accepted.
• Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications, Senior Certificate, identity document and driver’s license on or before the day of the interview.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• The National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
• Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the Department’s equity plan.
• Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• Correspondence will be limited to successful candidates only.
• Short-listed candidates will be subjected to screening and security vetting to determine their suitability for employment, including but not limited to:
• Criminal records;
• Citizenship status;
• Credit worthiness;
• Previous employment (reference checks); and Qualification verification.
• Short-listed candidates will be expected to avail themselves at the Department’s convenience.
• Entry-level requirements for SMS posts:
• In terms of the Directive on Compulsory Capacity Development, Mandatory Training Days & Minimum Entry Requirements for SMS that was introduced on 1 April 2015, a requirement for all applicants for SMS posts from 1 April 2020 is a successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG) prior to appointment.
• The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into SMS and the full details can be obtained by following the below link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entryprogramme.
• Furthermore, Shortlisted candidates must provide proof of successful completion of the course.
• All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments.
• One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment.
• Following the interview and the technical exercise of all SMS posts, the Selection Panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency-based assessments.
• Persons appointed will be subjected to a security clearance, the signing of performance agreement and employment contract.
• The Department reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• If you have not been contacted within three 3 months after the closing date of the advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
• By submitting the employment application form, you agree and consent in terms of Section 11(1) of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), 2013 (Act 4 of 2013), for your personal information which you provide to the DFFE to being processed by the department and its employees, agents, Cabinet committees, and subcontractors for recruitment purposes, in accordance with the POPIA of 2013.