Chief Director: Legal and Legislative Services at Department of Basic Education

REQUIREMENTS :

• An appropriate Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification (NQF level 7) recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA); Admission as an attorney or advocate in South Africa; The successful candidate must be in good standing with the relevant professional regulatory body. A minimum of 10 years’ relevant post-qualification legal experience, of which at least 5 years must be at senior managerial level;
• Experience in the interpretation, development, implementation and/or litigation of legislation, policies and regulations within the education sector or a comparable public sector environment; Demonstrable experience in education law, including experience in advising on, developing, interpreting or implementing education legislation, regulations or policy, is an essential requirement; Proven experience in constitutional law, administrative law, legislative drafting and regulatory development, public sector litigation and regulatory governance will be an advantage; Knowledge of Administrative law and constitutional law as applied to the education sector;
• Ability to deliver legal advisory services to government departments, public entities or statutory bodies. Process competencies: Knowledge management; problem-solving and analysis; client orientation and customer focus; communication; negotiation; stakeholder management; and risk management.
• Core Competencies The post requires a person with excellent Strategic capability and leadership; people management and empowerment; financial management; change management; programme and project management; and service delivery innovation. leadership and strategic management skills, Excellent written and verbal communication; Computer skills; Research and policy formulation; Presentation skills; Analytical and problem-solving skills; Candidates must be confident, trustworthy, accurate, adaptable and diplomatic.: Strategic Capacity and Leadership, People Management and Empowerment, Financial Management and Change Management, promotion communication. 

DUTIES :

• The successful candidate will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and management to the Chief Directorate: Legal and Legislative Services, comprising the Directorates: Litigation and Advisory Services and Legislative Services. Provide high-level, independent and practical legal advice to the Minister, Director-General and the Department on constitutional, administrative, education and public law matters. Managing and overseeing litigation involving the Minister, the Director-General and the Department, including the development of litigation strategy, the instruction of the State Attorney and external counsel, and the monitoring of court orders and settlements.
• Leading and overseeing the drafting, amendment, interpretation and implementation of education legislation, regulations and related legal instruments. Coordinating and monitoring the Department’s legislative programme and ensuring that proposed legislation and policy are constitutionally and legally sound. Providing legal support, where appropriate, to provincial education departments on matters affecting the national basic education system. Advising on the legal mandates, governance and administration of statutory bodies falling within the basic education portfolio.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating national and international agreements, memoranda of understanding and other legal instruments. Developing and maintaining systems for legal risk management, compliance monitoring and the implementation of legal opinions and court orders. Managing the Chief Directorate’s human, financial and operational resources and ensuring effective performance, accountability and service delivery.