Director: Legal Contract Management at South African Department of Correctional Services

Requirements:

• A degree in Law (LLB) (NQF level 7) or equivalent qualification as recognized by SAQA. Five (5) years’ experience at middle management or senior managerial level in a similar environment. A certificate for entry int the Senior Management Services (SMS) obtained from the National School of Government (NSG) is compulsory Admission as advocate or attorney will be an added advantage. Computer literate. Valid driver’s licence.

Required knowledge:

• Understanding of the dynamics of the Justice Cluster. Understanding of public service policy and related legislative framework (Public Service Act and Regulations, Public Finance Management Act [PFMA], with emphasis on the Correctional Service Act 111 of 1998 as amended). Relevant experience in regulatory framework governing public service planning processes. Extensive experience in collective bargaining mechanisms and traceable experience in ensuring efficient and effective human resource management. In-depth knowledge and experience  of the human resources legislation and regulatory framework.

Competencies and Attributes:

• Understanding of Public Service policy and legislative framework, Assertiveness, and knowledge of relevant mandates and prescripts. Financial management skills, strategic capability and leadership. Legal drafting and advice. Communication skills, project and programme management. Client orientation and customer focus. Problem solving and analysis. Service delivery innovation. People management and empowerment. Integrity and honesty. Confidentiality.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the drafting, editing and checking of legal contracts in commercial and international agreements, memoranda of understanding, memoranda of agreement, service level agreements and implementation protocols. Facilitate concession agreements. Provide legal advice on processes/procedures pertaining to commercial and international agreements. Ensure that the interests of the department are safeguarded in all agreements and memoranda of understanding. Provide advice to directorate contract management on compliance matters. Establish reporting requirements that need to be followed by the participants. Advise department on its contractual rights and obligations in all agreements. Manage litigation in contract related matters. Strengthen the department’s legal capacity during negotiations on agreements, contracts and litigation. Oversee and manage a detailed legal analysis of contracts. Provide legal advice and support to management regarding interpretations, legal liability exercising of power and other legal matters. Advise and ensure compliance by the department to international organisation’s requirements. Monitor the implementation and provide advice on the interpretation and application of all pieces of legislation. Ensure the execution of judicial acts e.g. write offs/recovery of debts, losses and damages to state property/assets and settlements with persons entered into legal relationship with the department. Draft documents for state attorneys and state law advisors to provide formal legal advice/opinion to the department. Conduct legal research continuously for legal opinion drafting. Assist the department in developing sound policies, i.e legal support in relation to policy formulation, by vetting, editing policies and legal certification to ensure that the departmental policies are in conformity and compliance with the constitution and other national legislation and directives. Liaise, negotiate with and instruct the offices of the State Attorney, Chief State Law Advisor and Solicitor-General and private practicing lawyers and advocates in private practice. Represent the department at various fora on legal matters. Develop working relationships across diverse groups of stakeholders. Management of performance information. Management of human resources, finances and assets.

Deadline:21st November,2025