Principal Legal Counsel : Market Inquiry at The Competition Commission South Africa

Key Accountabilities

The main responsibilities of the incumbent will, amongst others, include:

• Provide legal support to the Market Inquiry Division, including conducting research on legal issues and providing sound legal advice to the Divisional Manager and the Market Inquiry Panel.
• Leading and managing the legal and technical dimensions of market inquiry investigations.
• Guiding the scope definition, identification of issues, and development of legal-analytical frameworks in inquiries, including the drafting of terms of reference and other legal documents.
• Conceptualise and develop the analytical framework for assessing the issues identified in a market inquiry, including research of international best practices and jurisdictional approaches to similar issues.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to the technical team of senior analysts, analysts and junior analysts in the market inquiry with regards to legal analysis.
• Leading the development of information requests, review instruments, and evidence-gathering protocols.
• Managing, supervising, and evaluating the performance of a multi-disciplinary team of legal and analytical professionals.
• Interpreting and applying competition legislation to determine whether market features hinder competition or the public interest.
• Drafting and reviewing inquiry reports actions.
• Take lead in the formulation of potential remedies required to address competition distortions identified by the market inquiry.
• Take lead in the monitoring of compliance with the recommendations and remedial actions of a market inquiry.
• Leading stakeholder engagements, including public hearings and consultations on legal and evidentiary issues.
• Managing external legal counsel, through the Legal Services Division or directly, and ensure effective case strategy and execution.
• Providing litigation support for market inquiries, including appearances before the Competition Tribunal and courts.
• Representing the Commission in strategic forums and contributing to capacity building in legal research and compliance.
• Participating in Commission planning, committees, and knowledge-sharing platforms.

Requirements

We are looking for a strategic legal professional who meets the following requirements:

• A completed LLB Degree or equivalent qualification.
• 8 – 10 years post-admission experience, of which at least 3 years preferably includes management or strategic leadership experience.
• Experience in Competition Law experience and market regulation is essential.
• Strong drafting, analytical, negotiation and litigation skills.
• Proven research and investigative skills including evidence-based analysis.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing complex investigations or legal projects and guiding analytical work within a legal framework.

Other considerations:

• Practical work exposure to area of expertise will be further considered to balance against other requirements
• A completed Masters qualification will be an added advantage.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate (completed pupillage if admitted as Advocate) will be an added advantage.
• Practical exposure to drafting and managing high-impact reports, legal submissions, and litigation strategies will be further considered.