Chief State Law Adviser at Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

REQUIREMENTS :

• An NQF Level 8 in Law or as recognised by SAQA. Admission as an Advocate or Attorney in the High Court of South Africa is essential. Extensive knowledge of Bills and legislation, legislative drafting and certification processes, legal advisory services, public and international law, public administration, government decision-making processes, and the statutory and regulatory framework governing the Public Service, including the Public Service Act, Public Finance Management Act, Treasury Regulations and related prescripts. Sound understanding of Government priorities, organizational governance, strategic planning and professional legal ethics.
• Skills and Competencies: Exceptional strategic capability and leadership with the ability to provide strategic direction, develop legal policy and lead a specialized legal advisory environment. Demonstrated capability in programme and project management, financial management, organizational transformation, change management, knowledge management and service delivery innovation.
• Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving capability, with excellent people management, stakeholder engagement, communication and client orientation skills. Proven ability to build strategic partnerships, manage complex legal matters, influence decision-making and lead multidisciplinary professional teams. High levels of professionalism, ethical leadership, accountability and commitment to the values and principles of the Public Service. 

DUTIES :

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the certification and drafting of Bills, including the provision of preliminary legal opinions, certification of legislation and legal advisory support throughout the parliamentary process. Oversee the scrutiny, drafting and certification of subordinate legislation and provide authoritative legal opinions and advisory services to Government departments and other organs of state. Direct the scrutiny of international agreements to ensure consistency with the Constitution and domestic law and oversee the provision of legal advice relating to international legal obligations.
• Lead the strategic management and governance of the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser through effective strategic planning, operational performance monitoring, risk management, audit compliance, financial management and resource utilization. Oversee the translation and editing of legislation and other legal documents into the official languages to support legislative accessibility and constitutional compliance. Provide strategic legal opinions on contracts, legal documents, settlements and disputes referred by Government departments and organs of state. Ensure sound governance, people management, financial stewardship, asset management, organizational performance and compliance with all statutory and regulatory prescripts within the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser.