Senior Legal Administration Officer at Department of Land Reform and Rural Development

REQUIREMENTS : Minimum requirements:

• Applicants must be in a possession of a Grade 12 Certificate and a LLB or as otherwise determined by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. Minimum of 8 years post-qualification legal experience according to legal OSD. Experience in drafting and vetting of contracts. Experience in research and / or drafting of legal opinions. A valid driver’s licence.
• Job related knowledge: Knowledge of South African law. Knowledge of legislation administration by the Department. Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
• Job related skills: Abilities to interpret acts and regulations. Ability to research the law. Ability to apply the law to set of facts. Excellence drafting and writing ability. Communication (verbal and written). Ability to present. Client relations and conflict management. Problem solving. Computer literacy. Ability to manage. Ability to interpret the law. Willingness to travel. 

DUTIES :

• Draft or vet all contracts. Receive instructions and draft or vet the required contracts. Consult with functionaries or request further information if required. Provide assistance to line functionaries with the negotiation of contracts where necessary. Do research on contracts if necessary. Provide legal advice on matters arising during the drafting of contracts. Manage external experts such as counsel, who may be briefed to draft or vet contracts. Review standard contracts periodically. Draft or vet other legal documents such as affidavits, delegations, and correspondence of a legal nature, as well as reports. Receive instructions and draft or vet the required other legal documents. Do research if necessary. Provide legal advice on matters arising during drafting of other legal documents. Manage external experts, such as counsel, who may be briefed to draft or vet other legal documents. Provide legal opinions and general legal advice. Receive instructions and request further information if necessary.
• Conduct research. Consult with relevant stakeholders. Analyse court precedents and written articles / publications. Draft legal opinions. Facilitate obtainment of external legal opinions. Manage external experts, such as counsel or the State Law Advisors, to ensure that opinions are provided timeously. Ensure that external opinions are legally sound before they are furnished to client. Ensure that applicable areas of the law are ventilated in the legal opinions. Provide legal assistance in respect of Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) requests. Evaluate new requests and refer to the relevant Deputy Information Officer (DIO) or line functionary. Advice the DIO or line functionary on issues that may arise during the processing of request. Monitor that the DIO or line functionary attends to the requests and finalise them within the prescribed timeframes. Keep a register of all requests received and the outcomes thereof. Manage staff and perform other middle management tasks.
• Compile and sign performance agreements with stuff. Review performance of all staff according to regulations and policies. Develop and implement employee development plans. Address grievances within 30 days. Address misconduct of staff in terms of disciplinary code and departmental policies and procedures. Provide supports and guidance to subordinates. Provide inputs into the annual operational plan for the Directorate. Provide information for the Director's monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on performance against the Operational Plan. Preform other middle management tasks as may be delegated by the Director.