Legal Administration Officer (MR5): Litigation Services at Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport

Requirements :

• LLB Degree (NQF Level 8). At least 14 years appropriate post qualification legal experience. Admitted Attorney or Advocate in the High Court of South Africa.
• KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Knowledge and experience in research; Good communication skills (written and verbal); Ability to work under pressure and solve problems; Good office administration, planning and organizing; Computer literacy. Knowledge of Administrative and Constitutional Law, Legislation and Regulations relevant to the Public Service, Legal drafting and interpretation. Knowledge of court procedures; Experience in the management of litigation.

Duties :

• Draft, review and amend legal policies for the Department. Deal with litigation on behalf of the Department through the state attorney. Investigate and compile relevant documents to the state attorney. Liaise with the State Attorney’s office, State Law Advisors and Counsel. Conduct Research on the cases at hand, to establish liability. Giving instruction to the state attorney during court proceedings. Compilation of evidence from staff and management. Manage the cases referred to the state attorney with regard to dates and ensure court appearance by officials and avoid prescription.
• Provide assistant to the state attorney to prepare briefs to advocates were necessary. Verify correctness of invoice for payment to the State Attorney. Conduct Research and Advice on Legal Problems and Proceedings regarding the Department. Update litigation management system. Investigate and compile relevant documents for the court proceedings. Verify accuracy of documents and compliance with court rules and deadlines.
• Provide assistance to the state attorney during the court proceedings. Compile court records. Appear in court, lead evidence and present legal arguments. Determine and deliver persuasive legal arguments to a judge or magistrate. Interpret and apply the law to the specific facts of the case to support the departments cases. Conduct a data inventory to identify what personal information is processed, where it is stored, and who it is shared with. Implement data protection policies and procedures, including comprehensive privacy notice, data retention schedules and secure destruction processes.
• Implement appropriate security safeguards to protect personal information from unauthorised access, loss and damage. Establish an incident response plan for data breaches. Compile and publish a PAIA manual detailing the department’s structure, functions, available records and the procedure for requesting information. Manage requests for information in accordance with the prescribed procedures and forms, responding with stipulated timeframes. Establish internal appeal procedures for requesters dissatisfied with the decisions (mandatory for public bodies). Adhere to the code of good administrative conduct and integrate PAJA requirements into all administrative decision-making processes.