Senior Legal Admin Officer at Eastern Cape Department of Education

Requirements

• An LLB qualification. At least 8 years appropriate post qualification legal experience. A minimum of 8 years' appropriate post-qualification legal experience. Admitted as an Attorney or Advocate. A valid driver’s license. 

Duties

• The successful candidate will be responsible for researching the applicability of legal principles on legal opinion; conducting research on applicable policy, legislation and legal principles with legal opinions; formulating legal opinions; studying and citing relevant cases on aspects related to legal opinions; providing recommendation and conclusion within permissible legal prescripts; consulting clients to verify requests for opinion and contents of the opinion upon finalisation; ascertaining whether legislation is in accordance with principle of drafting and interpretation of statute; ascertaining that the intentions of the department are reflected in proposed or amendment bills;  drafting of memorandums; establishing if the department should litigate or defend a matter; consulting with relevant line functions; providing evidence in regard to possible settlement and negotiating settlements with opponents; preparing instructions to State Attorneys and making recommendations for appointment of suitable Advocates where necessary;
• monitoring court cases from inception to finalisation; reviewing all pleadings at all stages for the court case as per court rules; exploring alternative dispute resolution options for each court case; ensuring that briefings are prepared and court orders are implemented effectively; drafting and verifying contracts; conducting research on applicable policy, legislation or regulation to be followed; determining if the contract is legal and whether it reflects the intention of the department; liaising with all stakeholders involved in the contract and negotiating on final control; certifying contracts and verifying consistency between instructions and the content of the contract; providing inputs into the strategic planning of the Directorate/ Chief Directorate and executing of the operational plan; providing supervision of Legal Administration Officers in the sub-directorate; submitting monthly and quarterly reports to the Director.