Legal Advisor - Stewardship (Level 9), Head Office - Bridgetown at CapeNature

The Purpose of this post is to ensure that the Protected Area Expansion Strategy for the Western Cape, results in an adequate and representative protected area network being secured and effectively managed, by providing legal advice and support to the organisation and its employees on matters incidental to the declaration process as well as ensuring formal Protected Area expansion by way of binding legal contracts and/or official declaration thereof.

Legal experience in general contractual law is essential and understanding of environmental legislation (in particular the NEM: Protected Areas Act) is essential. This position will report directly to Legal Manager and the Biodiversity Capabilities Unit.

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinate the Implementation of all legal aspects of the Protected Area Expansion strategy for CapeNature 

• Legal Research
• Provision of legal advice and support for both private protected areas and state land.
• Manage Protected Area Expansion Systems Administration
• Assist in developing & finalizing protected area expansion strategy for the Western Cape in collaboration with Scientific Services as well as National and Provincial departments.
• Identify legislation and/or amendments to legislation which has an impact on the organization.
• Drafting, interpretation, distribution and commenting on legislative and policy relative to function.
• Drafting and vetting property related agreements and documentation including Offers to Purchase, Donation Agreements, etc.
• Managing declaration processes of properties as protected areas in terms of the NEM: Protected Areas Act no. 57 of 2003 including State Land Declarations.
• Drafting and vetting property Management and Declaration Agreements and liaising with Management Agencies
• Relationship management, instructions to and coordination with external property legal service providers, including conveyancers

Legal Administration

• Drafting of ministerial submissions
• Coordination of public participation process
• Maintenance of Stewardship and state land Registers
• Responding to landowner queries by way of formal correspondence.
• Liaise with State Attorney, attorneys and advocates.
• Attend to all transfer processes.
• Liaise with Procurement and Finance Departments to facilitate compliance with the declaration process.
• Verification of all landowner and company details, via WinDeed and Deeds Office searches.
• Sourcing of title deeds and diagrams to be used in protected area declaration processes.

General legal advice and opinions for the Entity /Organisation

• Vetting and drafting of contracts/agreements/service level agreements.
• Liaising with Department of the Premier, Legal Services in respect of provincial legal requirements for protected area declarations.
• Manage Protected Area Management Agreement Administration
• Manage Ad hoc Contract Administration
• Provision of legal advice and opinions

Reporting

• Monthly, Quarterly and Annual reporting on total land secured for conservation under the Protected Area/Stewardship Programme/state land portfolio.
• Report provided to Office of the CEO, Legal Services
• Report provided to the directorate Capabilities.
• Report provided to the directorate Conservation Operations
• Report provided to protected area expansion special projects.

REQUIREMENTS 

• LLB with a minimum of five years’ post qualification experience
• Knowledge of all relevant conservation and environmental legislation
• Ability to interpret legislation.
• Attention to detail, deadline driven and able to work under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and knowledge of another language would be advantageous.
• Excellent people skills and support service focused.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Experience in contract drafting.
• Advanced level proficiency in MS Office

 ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Responsible, reliable, work systematically and have a high degree of personal integrity.
• Able to work under pressure, use initiative and deliver under short timeframes.
• Creative and innovative problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage time effectively and respond positively to different situations.
• Organised and self-motivated
• Excellent people skills and support service focused.
• Systematic and analytical thinker
• Able to solve problems and build relationships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Self-motivated
• Resilience
• Team-player
• Excellent planning and organizational skills