Consultant: Legal (Customs & Excise Litigation) at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To research and prepare customs and excise pre-litigation and litigation matters involving complex and less complex interpretive or quantitative issues and adhere/contribute to internal governance processes.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF7) in Law, LLB AND 5-7 years’ experience in a Customs and Excise field or International Trade Law environment, of which 2-3 years at technically skilled level. 

Alternative Qualifications & Minimum Experience:

• Senior Certificate (NQF4) AND 10 years in a Customs and Excise field or International Trade Law environment, of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF7) in Law, LLB advantageous AND 5-7 years’ experience in a Customs and Excise field or International Trade Law environment, of which 2-3 years  at functional specialist level. 

Job Outputs:

Process

• To prepare cases involving intricate interpretive or quantitative issues in the Magistrates Courts, Higher Courts, the SCA and the Constitutional Court, where applicable.
• To enter into settlement negotiations with taxpayers and their representatives.
• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures and associated area's practice.
• Accumulate information to report on work progress and use for decision making purposes and the identification of improvement opportunities.
• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects in order to solve emerging problems.
• Execute specialists input through investigation and opportunities within the product process including risk concern
• Finalise legal matters by identifying facts, accessing relevant sources, analysis, application, advice and implementation of the course of action.
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.
• Perform operations in a specialised area to technical specifications and contribute to operational result delivery within predefined standards
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives
• Provide reports with recommendations applicable to area of specialisation.

Governance

• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity and ethics processes within area of specialisation.
• Ensure that completed work adhere to relevant policies, procedures, governance and legislative requirements and report on deviations & discrepancies

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.
• Search for, integrate and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.
• Provide authoritative, specialist services, expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Customer Service
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect
• Trust

Technical competencies

• Business Knowledge
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Dispute Resolution
• Effective Business Communication
• Efficiency Improvement
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• General Advisory and Litigation
• Legal Advisory and Interpretation
• Legal Knowledge and Knowledge of Ethics
• Reporting

Deadline:16th February,2026