Job Openings at South African Maritime Safety Authority

• To ensure that all certificates and documents adhere to both national and international maritime standards and are compliant with quality standards assurance protocols. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity and authenticity of maritime certificates in line with national and international conventions.

Job Description
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Processing, Issuing and reissuing of Certificates and statutory documents;
• Processing, issuing, revalidation or reissue of Certificate of Competency/proficiency, small vessel certificates of competency, certificates of equivalency and endorsements thereof, Compass adjuster certificates, seaman’s record and certificates of discharge books, in accordance with the relevant statutes and quality standards systems.
• Perform verification of the abovementioned Certificates, statutory documents for compliance this in accordance with the quality standard systems i.e. Multilateral/ unilateral/ bilateral agreements that South Africa has with other administration Authorities which give effect to STCW Convention, Reg. 1/10 agreements etc.
• Escalate any suspicion of fraudulently issued Certificates upon verification to the Deputy Registrar of Seafarers
• Quality Assurance & continuous improvement;
• Implement quality control checks using predefined procedures and methods to ensure certificates and statutory documents and services comply with statutory provisions.
• Provide recommendations on continuous improvement of standard operation procedures, quality standard systems, including internal audits.
• Ensure that all applications are received, verified for correctness with checklists attached, processed and dispatched timeously.
• Effectively manage non-conformities, identify them promptly, record them accurately, determine root causes, implement corrective actions, and monitor their effectiveness to prevent recurrence and wasteful expenditure.
• Interpretation of legislation, Marine notices, Marine information notices, and marine Circulars as Amended/promulgated;
• Advise stakeholders on the latest Marine notices, Marine information notices and Marine Circulars.
• Review, provide inputs and recommendation on Marine Circulars.
• Administrative duties;
• Update electronic data base and consolidate statistics for reporting purposes.
• Prepare different statistics on all the Certificates and statutory documents.
• Verify accreditation status of Examiners, Training Institutions & Medical Practitioners;
• Assist candidates with accredited Training institutions, medical practitioners, and appointed examiners in accordance with the latest marine notices.
• Training and Mentoring;
• Assist the Deputy Registrar of Seafarers in Training and coaching of new Admin Clerk to perform their tasks in accordance with the standard operations procedures.
• Stakeholder engagement;
• Update stakeholders on the status of their applications and certificates.
• Notify the Deputy Registrar of Seafarers with any delays that could impact on stakeholder services.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders and respond to any queries or complaints.
• Document handling and financial processing;
• Ensure secured document tracking processes are in place and monitored by the responsible Admin Clerk.
• Ensure that all documents received for processing are accurately invoiced, issued, and directed to the client as prescribed in the Fees Regulations.
• Ensure client’s information is kept confidential and filed appropriately.
• Ensure timeous administration and make input on the forms that are used for operational purposes. 

Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS

• Matric Certificate (NQF 4)
• National Certification in Administation that is equivalent to (NQF 5) is essential
• National Diploma in Administration (NQF 6) would be an added advantage

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 3 years Administrative experience is essential
• Experience in or knowledge of the maritime industry would be an added advantage
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook)

Deadline:22nd February,2026

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• The incumbent in the role will be responsible for answering phone calls, greeting visitors, scheduling appointments, handling administrative tasks to maintain a smooth flow of communication within the Certification unit; and is also responsible for receiving applications from ports, agencies, training institutions, and clients; and liaising with finance department for invoicing.

Job Description
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Cleanliness of reception area

• Coordinate with cleaning staff to ensure regular cleaning of the reception area.
• Maintain a tidy and presentable environment.

Call Management

• Answer incoming calls promptly, adhering to SAMSA’s telephone protocol.
• Redirect calls or inquire about redirection and take messages when required.
• Ensure that any missed calls are promptly followed up on, providing timely responses to any inquiries.

Client liaison / welcoming of visitors

• Schedule/diarise appointments with clients on behalf of the Certification Department.
• Greet visitors warmly, invite them to wait in the designated area, and ensure that they are attended to in a timely manner.
• Redirect queries and emails to the appropriate individuals based on the type of certificate or service that is required.

Administrative support

• Assist with ensuring that office resources, such as printers and other equipment, are fully operational and maintained.
• Assist with procurement of statutory books and stationery order, making sure that dispatching of those orders to different offices is done efficiently i.e. Capturing the requisition on the system, managing the inventory for audit purposes etc.

Courier and postal services

• Receive hand-delivered documents and parcels, ensuring all details are accurately recorded in a register.
• Check and confirm that waybills are completed accurately.
• Check and confirm that consignments are properly wrapped, appropriately labelled with the correct waybill stickers, and are dispatched to their intended destination in a timely manner.
• Check and confirm that all dispatch processes, both local and international, are followed meticulously to guarantee safe and timely delivery.

Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS

• Matric Certificate (NQF 4)
• National Certification in that is equivalent to (NQF 5)
• National Diploma (NQF 6) would be an added advantage

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• 3 years Receptionist experience.
• Experience in or knowledge of the maritime industry will be an added advantage
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook)
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional telephone etiquette and the ability to handle multiple inquiries simultaneously.
• Minute taking and report writing skills
• Organisational skills and attention to details

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• To manage and support the strategic drafting of maritime legislation and regulations aimed at driving the maritime legislative agenda and to support establishment and maintenance of a well governed South African maritime transport system aligned with national and international standards.

Job Description
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Strategic Maritime Legislative Support and Implementation

• Plan, coordinate, and manage maritime legislation promulgation processes ensuring adherence to legal and procedural requirements.
• Support the provision of technical support to the Department of Transport (DoT) with regards to the drafting of maritime legislation.
• Provide support to the Office of the CEO and COO in the drafting and amending of regulations.
• Provide legal advice and opinions as requested by Line Management with particular reference to maritime matters.
• Support and facilitate bilateral agreements with international maritime counterparts, ensuring alignment with South Africa’s legislative priorities.
• Research, monitor, and promote the adoption and implementation of international maritime conventions and protocols, ensuring domestic legislation compliance with international maritime obligations.
• Conduct ongoing environmental scanning of maritime legislative developments and trends, preparing detailed reports and recommendations for management consideration.

Internal Business Process Management

• Manage resources allocated for maritime legislative activities efficiently, including financial budgets, data management, and documentation.
• Develop, implement, and monitor compliance frameworks such as annual business plans, progress reports, and management information requests.
• Provide accurate and timely financial projections and budget inputs to support resource allocation and fiscal discipline.
• Identify potential departmental risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies to safeguard operational continuity.
• Undertake special or ad-hoc projects as mandated by Line Management, contributing to continuous improvement in legislative processes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Represent SAMSA at national and international maritime legislative and regulatory forums, advocating for South Africa’s maritime interests.
• Maintain robust relationships with internal stakeholders within SAMSA to facilitate cohesive legislative development and implementation.
• Collaborate proactively with maritime industry partners, research institutions, and government entities to identify emerging opportunities, fostering the alignment of legislation with economic and technological advancements.
• Contribute to multi-stakeholder initiatives and special projects, including comprehensive legislative reviews in partnership with the Department of Transport’s Maritime Branch.

Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS

• LLB degree or equivalent qualification

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION OR PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

• Admitted as an Attorney of South Africa

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Seven (7) years related legal experience post-admission as an Attorney.
• Extensive law, legislative drafting, or regulatory affairs experience is preferred. 
• Experience in maritime law, legislative drafting, or regulatory affairs would be an added advantage.
• Solid understanding of policy and legislative development, including drafting, interpretation, and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to draft comprehensive legal opinions, memoranda, and advisory notes.
• Experience in drafting and negotiating Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), contracts, and other legal agreements.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• In-depth knowledge of maritime legislation, regulatory frameworks, and international maritime conventions.
• Strong legal drafting, research, and analytical skills specific to maritime law.
• Ability to manage complex legislative processes and coordinate multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking with attention to detail and problem-solving aptitude.
• Proficiency in resource management, budgeting, and compliance monitoring.