About the Role
The Department of Water and Sanitation is seeking a Senior Legal Administration Officer to join its dynamic legal team in Polokwane. This vital position plays a significant role in ensuring that LOCMA and its functionaries operate within the legal framework, providing essential legal advisory services that impact the community directly. By mentoring junior staff and overseeing legal processes, the incumbent will contribute to the efficient management of water resources, which is crucial for the sustainability and economic development of the region.
As a Senior Legal Administration Officer, your expertise will foster compliance with legislation and improve public service delivery. The role is not just about legal advice; it is about making a tangible difference in the lives of South Africans by ensuring that legal matters related to water and sanitation are handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity. Your work will resonate across the community, reflecting the values of accountability and ethical conduct that are central to the public service.
About the Department
The Department of Water and Sanitation is dedicated to the responsible management and protection of South Africa’s water resources. Its mission focuses on promoting sustainable water usage, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and supporting the development of essential infrastructure. Working within this department means being part of a team that is committed to safeguarding the environment and enhancing the quality of life for all South Africans.
Joining this department offers the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that affects the daily lives of citizens. Whether through legal compliance or policy development, your contributions will help shape the future of water management in South Africa.
What You’ll Do
- Provide comprehensive legal advisory services to LOCMA and its functionaries.
- Conduct thorough legal research and analysis, advising on relevant case law.
- Draft, vet, and review contracts, legal opinions, reports, and submissions.
- Mentor junior legal staff and provide guidance on legal drafting and procedures.
- Navigate litigation matters, including monitoring court cases and liaising with the Office of the State Attorney.
- Ensure compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).
- Develop standard operating procedures and compile research memoranda to support legal processes.
- Document consultations and legal advice, maintaining accurate records of all legal interactions.
- Coach and develop junior employees to improve their legal skills and performance.
What You’ll Need
- An LLB degree or equivalent legal qualification.
- A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant post-qualification legal experience.
- Strong knowledge of government legal processes and legislation, including environmental laws.
- Proven ability to negotiate and draft complex contracts and agreements.
- Excellent analytical, report-writing, and communication skills.
- Proficiency in legal research and interpretation.
- Strong planning and decision-making capabilities.
- A high level of computer literacy and confidentiality.
How to Apply
All applications must be hand delivered at: 389 Sophie De Bruyn Street, Pretoria. To submit an application online, click the link under the post you wish to apply for.
Requirements
An LLB degree or equivalent qualification.At least eight (8) years' appropriate post-qualification legal experience.
Knowledge of policy development and implementation.
Knowledge of government legal processes, legislation and contracts.
Knowledge of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA), the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (PAJA), the Constitution and all relevant legislation, including the Treasury Regulations.
Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Ability to negotiate and draft contracts and international instruments.
Ability to interpret specific environmental legislation and issues affecting the environment, as well as 131 general environmental law.
Legal research and interpretation.
Analytical and report-writing skills.
Programme and project management.
Computer literacy.
Good planning and decision-making skills.
Language proficiency.
Confidentiality.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
Strategic capability and leadership skills.
Accountability and ethical conduct.
Job Duties
The incumbent will be responsible for providing legal advisory services to LOCMA and its functionaries.Conduct, analyse, interpret, advise and mentor juniors on research that will provide information and case law relevant to the legal matter at hand, including providing legal support to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, collecting and analysing data and information for planning, decision-making and management reporting, analysing current policies and strategic objectives, developing standard operating procedures, and compiling research memoranda.
Draft legal documents and advise and mentor juniors on legal drafting, including drafting legal documents, memoranda, reports and submissions, drafting, vetting and reviewing contracts on behalf of LOCMA, drafting legal opinions and documents to support criminal prosecutions for contraventions of the National Water Act, negotiating and drafting multilateral and bilateral agreements, ensuring compliance with the Constitution and domestic and international legal obligations, rendering legal support in all litigation matters, and obtaining outstanding information and initiating the recovery process, including issuing letters of demand.
Present on and advise and mentor juniors on proposals on how specific cases should be approached, including receiving, recording and assessing new matters, advising clients on possible courses of action during consultation, and drafting legal opinions on behalf of LOCMA.
Conduct interviews to determine clients' goals and objectives, including handling litigation matters and appeals, including National Water Tribunal appeals, on behalf of LOCMA, monitoring court cases from inception to final stage, liaising with the Office of the State Attorney on litigation matters, and keeping the litigation register updated.
Document interviews and all legal advice given during legal consultation in writing, including monitoring the implementation of PAIA and PAJA, ensuring compliance and handling PAIA and PAJA matters on behalf of LOCMA, and submitting recommendations, queries and comments to clients.
Develop and coach others and constructively review their work in order to improve and advance the skills, knowledge and performance levels of those who report to them, including providing advice and guidance to lower-level production employees on advanced interview techniques to address sensitive or complicated issues, providing sound legal advice that serves the interests of LOCMA, monitoring performance and service delivery targets, and measuring and improving work methods, procedures and systems.
