Specialist Snr Counsel: Labour at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Specialist Senior Counsel: Commercial in the Legal and Compliance Department. The incumbent will provide comprehensive expert Human Capital and employee / labour relations advise to the organisation and its subsidiaries. The position is based in Pretoria and reports into the Manager: Legal Services. A hybrid working arrangement is possible for this position.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategies, Policies, Procedures and Initiatives 

• Provide timely, expert input and advice into the development and periodic review of the CSIR strategies, policies and procedures and Initiatives in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the Legal and Compliance Services annual strategic planning and budgeting processes on planned activities relating to this role.
• Remain abreast with changes in labour law; legislation, regulations, codes and best practices to ensure that the CSIR remains compliant and that the CSIR strategies, policies, procedures and Initiatives are abreast of the latest developments.
• Contribute to the cost effectiveness of the organisation by reducing the cost of non ¿ compliance and use of necessary external resources.
• Monitoring and advising the interpretation and implementation of new/draft labour legislation for CSIR¿s implementation, operationalization and compliance.
• Monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly reporting as required for purpose of accountability.

Routine Legal Services 

• Providing daily, sound legal support in the form of legal opinions, legal advice, contractual drafting and vetting of agreements to allocated CSIR internal clients. 
• Actively participating in and support employee debt collection processes and efforts within organisation. 

Organisational Awareness Training and Development 

• Collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate training of relevant staff on topical and pertinent human capital and labour relations matters including the author of relevant presentations for such purposes.
• Writing articles, case summaries, papers, etc for purposes of awareness training and development.
• Drafting memoranda to the Executive Committee and/or Board on significant developments and other matters in labour law for noting or approval.

Personal Training and Development 

• Attending to manager-recommended and/or self-identified training and development opportunities.
• Maintaining professional associations and affiliations membership.

Labour Litigation Management 

• Managing all labour-related litigation in the organisation and providing timely reporting on same.
• Managing the reduction or elimination of external legal counsel costs, through clever litigation management and the brokering of settlements where possible.
• Engaging external legal counsel, ensuring adherence with CSIR Procurement processes to avoid irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

Contribute to positive departmental and organisational culture 

• Adhering to CSIR Policies and Procedures. 
• Adhering to and promote CSIR EPIC Values within and outside the organisation.
• Assisting the Legal and Compliance Services to maintain a positive culture, excellent professional and customer service reputation.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelors degree Proc / LLB with at least eight years relevant experience as Labour Relations / Employment law practitioner and/or advisor with a track record in the following:
• Legal drafting and presentation
• Dispute Resolution
• Mediation, Arbitration and Litigation Management 
• Employment contracting and sound understanding of all Labour law and practice 
• Communication and engagement with senior executives 
• Representation at the CCMA, Labour Court and other Dispute Resolutions Forums
• Dealing with Trade Unions 
• Admitted attorney in good standing with the Law Society / Bar Councils
• Relevant post graduate qualifications would be an advantage 
• Working experience in a state-owned entity and knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and procurement processes related would be beneficial
• Thought leadership
• Self-Management 
• Conflict resolution 
• Attention to detail 
• Influencing and Negotiation 
• Judgement and decision making 
• Planning and Organising 

Whats in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards. 

Closing Date

12/02/2026