Legal Advisor: Intellectual Property at Technology Innovation Agency

ob Advert Summary    

• Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is a talent driven, customer-centric and impact focused organisation. In our endeavour to support technology innovation with socio-economic outcomes, we seek to infuse the organisation with team players that find resonance as value creators, agile thinkers, progressive attitudes, customer-centricity, dynamic work ethic and an optimistic disposition.  We aim to harness these attributes in a manner that they culminate into a culture of teamwork, impact and accountability.
• In executing its mandate, the organisation provides funding and non-funding support to stimulate innovation so that it provides a catalytic impact to the economy whilst improving people’s lives and protecting the environment. The Agency endeavours to promote the careers of previously disadvantaged persons by applying the principles of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No. 55 of 1998).

Job Purpose

• To provide legal services, including intellectual property (IP) support and advice to all TIA Business Units in respect of TIA projects/programs.

Minimum Requirements    

• Bachelor degree in Engineering (Chemical) or Bachelor degree in Science .
• A Law degree
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate
• At least four (4) years’ post admission experience.
• Two (2) years’ experience in an intellectual property environment and/or prior exposure to the technology innovation environment.
• Experience in Local and International Intellectual Property trends in relevant industries.
• Litigation experience.
• Laws, legislation and compliance requirements for the various operational aspects of TIA.
• Sound Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999).

Skills:

• Assertive
• Critical judgment
• Customer-centricity
• Decisiveness
• Decision-making
• Negotiation skills
• Analytical and interpretation skills

Duties and Responsibilities    
Financial Perspective

• Contribute towards saving for TIA by limiting operational costs, also complying with the National Treasure Cost Containment Measures (NTCM).

Stakeholder Management

• Participate in establishing cooperative customer relationships with stakeholders internally and externally.
• Provide quality services that meets corporate programme and project needs of TIA.
• Represent the Head: Legal Services on various committees, as may be required.

Internal Processes

• Perform Intellectual Property (IP) due diligence on TIA’s projects and programs and issue report on outcomes.
• Draft and/or review contracts for TIA operations, TIA projects and TIA programs, also focusing IP clauses.
• Draft legal opinions.
• Provide input in the formulation of legal policies, guidelines, frameworks and business processes.
• Provide input in the review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the Legal Services BU.
• Capture all legal information relating to TIA operations on the applicable systems.
• Produce workflow management status reports, as and when required.
• Assist with quality assurance of work produced by the Legal Advisors.
• Identify and report on potential legal risks.
• Identify and implement development opportunities to ensure continuous improvement of work effectiveness and efficiency.
• Identify root causes of delays in the processes and implement measures to address the delays.
• Provide support and assistance to other Legal Advisors to achieve their milestones.

Governance and Compliance

• Participate in the internal and external audit exercise and resolution of all audit matters in the Business Unit.
• Ensure compliance with all TIA’s policies, frameworks, guidelines and systems (performance management, HR, finance, Stakeholder information, fund management, reporting, etc).
• Proactively identify and address internal and external risks to protect the organisation.

Learning and Growth

• Mentor other Legal Advisors to transfer knowledge and skill.
• Attend work-related, self-development courses including training (both external and internal) seminars, conferences, webinars and workshops.

Closing Date    
2026/02/04