Assistant Director: Legal REF: QCTO 224 at Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)

Key functions: 

• Implement and comply with regulatory and legislative arrangements and reporting requirements. 
• Assist with development of policies and procedures related to Legal Services to ensure they remain relevant. 
• Provide legal assistance to QCTO internal stakeholders. 
• Assist with litigation on behalf of QCTO. 
• Assist with oversight of external legal services and monitor progress of work, including legal fees. 
• Conduct legal research and furnish opinions. 
• Provide contractual and other documentary drafting and review services. 
• Assist with the development of organizational standard contract and Service Level Agreement (SLA) templates. 
• Assist with reviewing and vetting of all QCTO contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) 
• Facilitate all contracting processes at QCTO and amendments of contracts thereof. 
• Provide general legal advice and counsel internally. 
• Provide legal assistance in commercial transactions and negotiations as necessary. 
• Assist Deputy Director with budgetary planning for Legal Services. 
• Assist with managing and monitor the expenditure for Legal Services against the allocated budget. 
• Assist with Implementing and monitoring the Legal Service operational plan. 
• Manage the performance of direct reports in a manner that creates a culture of high performance. 
• Provide employees with the necessary information and resources to deliver on their objectives and meet the targets of Legal Services. 
• Provide legal advise on Labour related matters and represent the QCTO at the CCMA and Labour Court; 
• Advising management on the process and substantive aspects of disciplinary action for misconduct. 
• Prepare arguments for CCMA and Labour Court conjunction with HR Unit. 
• Determining management strategies and options during conciliation and mediation proceedings, in consultation HR. 
• Analysing labour cases, in consultation with HR, settlement agreements drafted by CCMA/no statutory mediators in order to assess the practical implications, risks and possible liabilities. 
• Preparing cases, heads of argument and pleadings and settlement agreements, in consultation with HR. 
• Assisting with the analysis, evaluation and implementation of arbitration and pre-dismissal arbitration awards to determine possible grounds for rescission or review. 
• Providing procedural advice for incapacity investigations and advising management on work adaptations and alternative work options. 
• Advise management on process and substantive aspects of grievance management in terms of the procedure and substantive aspects of disciplinary action for misconduct. 
• Assist management in the appointment of a Chairperson and Initiator of disciplinary enquiries and assist employers’ representatives with investigations. 
• Facilitate end-to-end disciplinary processes in liaison with line management and represent the employer at external tribunals (CCMA or Labour Court) on assigned cases. 

Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree LLB (minimum NQF Level 7) 
• Admission as an Attorney / Advocate will be advantageous. 
• At least six (6) years’ experience in the areas of commercial law, Labour Relations and litigation, of which three (3) years must be in a junior management position 
• Must have knowledge and exposure of Public Service, QCTO mandates and strategies, education system and pedagogy, Post school education framework, relevant Government wide legislation e.g. National Qualifications Framework Act, Skills Development Act and National Skills Development Strategy III. 
• Must have skills in applied strategic and operational thinking, Budgeting and financial management, Problem solving and analysis, Communication, Stakeholder engagement and management, Policy development and management, Quality management, give support in Legal drafting and Managing litigation. 

Mandatory required competencies and Skills: 

• Excellent work ethics 
• Adherence to relevant QCTO Policies and ability to implement them 
• Ambitious and Results-Driven 
• Precise Reporting Skills 
• Project Management experience 
• Logical and concise Verbal and Written Communication Skills 
• Enthusiastic stakeholder liaison abilities 
• Flexible with regards to Change Management 
• Ability to manage, interpret and analyse information