Legal Administration Officer (MR5) at Gauteng Department of Human Settlements

Requirements :

• A matric plus a Bachelor of Law (LLB) or 4-years legal qualification as recognized by SAQA. Minimum of 8 years of appropriate post qualification legal experience.
• Postgraduate degree in Law and admitted as an Attorney or Advocate of the Bar Council would be considered an added advantage.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• MS Office Packages and possess Legislative knowledge of the Framework on Litigation, Drafting of Contracts, Legislative drafting, Working knowledge of civil litigation, criminal procedure and practice, court rules.
• Have competencies in Communication (Verbal and Written), Trial advocacy, Analytical thinking skills, Policy analysis, Conflict resolution, Research skills and Negotiation skills

Duties :

• Provide sound legal advice and litigation support to the department.
• Investigate and compile relevant documents to the State Attorney.
• Deal with litigation on behalf of the Department through the State Attorney and manage cases referred to the State Attorney regarding dates and ensure court appearance by officials and avoid prescription.
• Conduct research and advice on legal problems and proceedings regarding the Department.
• Conduct research on cases at hand to establish liability and to give an informed opinion.
• Provide legal opinion and render support to Human Resources Management, Legal and Labour Relations staff in respect to administrative matters, policies and relevant legislation.
• Facilitation of legislative processes, advice on new legislation and policies to the Department.
• Advise the MEC on appeal lodged against administrative decisions taken in terms of legislations guiding the department.
• Advice on settlement to avoid unnecessary legal costs. Manage consultants and preparations of court documents to ensure accuracy and compliance with strict court rules and deadlines.
• Appear in court, lead evidence and present legal arguments.
• Represent the Department during legal proceedings.
• Determine and deliver persuasive legal arguments to a judge or magistrate, interpreting and applying the law to the specific facts of the case to support their client's position.
• Ensure compliance to PAIA, PAJA and POPIA and conduct a data inventory and risk assessment to identify what personal information is processed, where it is stored, and who it is shared with. Develop and implement data protection policies and procedures, including a comprehensive privacy notice, data retention schedules, and secure destruction processes.
• Ensure lawful processing by adhering to the eight conditions for lawful processing, which often requires obtaining explicit, informed consent from data subjects unless another legal justification applies.
• Compile and publish a PAIA Manual (often combined with the POPIA manual) detailing the organisation's structure, functions, available records, and the procedure for requesting access to information.
• Assess the request (grant or refuse access based on the specific grounds for refusal outlined in PAIA (e.g. protection of third-party personal information, commercial confidentiality, national security) and compile and publish a PAIA Manual (often combined with the POPIA manual) detailing the organisation's structure, functions, available records and the procedure for requesting access to information.
• Manage requests for information in accordance with the prescribed procedures and forms, responding within the stipulated timeframes (usually 30 days).
• Giving instruction to the State Attorney during court proceedings.
• Compilation of evidence from staff and management.
• Assist State Attorney to prepare briefs to advocate where necessary. Verify correctness of invoice for payment to the State Attorney. Advice on new Legislation and policies to the Department. Advice through reports of cases handled by the component. Analyse and check prospects of success and give advice to proceed or not to.
• Liaise with expects on the relevant field of law.
• Appoint and register an Information Officer (IO) with the Information Regulator.
• Establish internal appeal procedures for requesters dissatisfied with a decision.
• Ensure administrative actions are lawful and conducted within the powers granted by empowering provisions.
• Provide fair procedural in decision-making processes, especially when rights or legitimate expectations are materially and adversely affected.
• Adhere to the Code of Good Administrative
• Conduct and integrate PAJA requirements into all administrative decision-making processes (mandatory for public bodies)

Closing Date : 13-02-2026