About the Role
The Department of Education is seeking a dedicated Senior Legal Administration Officer to join their team in Pretoria. This vital role focuses on providing comprehensive legislative support and legal guidance for the department, particularly concerning the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and its associated subordinate legislation. By ensuring that legal frameworks are robust and defensible, this position plays a crucial part in enhancing the quality of public service and environmental governance in South Africa.
As a Senior Legal Administration Officer, you will engage with various stakeholders to draft, vet, and comment on important Bills and policies. Your expertise will not only support the development of sound legislation but also facilitate meaningful contributions to the Cabinet and Parliamentary processes. Your work will directly impact the community by helping to create a sustainable environmental framework that benefits all South Africans.
About the Department
The Department of Education is committed to fostering a high-quality educational environment that adheres to the principles of equity and sustainability. With a mandate to develop and implement effective educational policies, the department plays a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape for education and environmental management in South Africa. Working here means contributing to a mission that empowers individuals and communities, ensuring that legislation is aligned with national interests and public welfare.
What You’ll Do
- Provide expert legislative support, including drafting and vetting Bills and policies
- Offer general legal advice related to NEMA and its subordinate legislation
- Conduct research and prepare legal opinions on pertinent legislation
- Assist with the Cabinet and Parliamentary processes involving legislative proposals
- Ensure compliance with legal standards and departmental service timelines
- Collaborate with Working Groups on policy coordination and law reform
- Engage in stakeholder engagement to facilitate effective communication and collaboration
What You’ll Need
- An LLB degree or a relevant qualification recognized by SAQA
- A minimum of eight years’ post-qualification experience in legal services
- Extensive experience in drafting both primary and subordinate legislation
- Strong knowledge of public service policies, environmental legislation, and legal administration
- Advanced skills in policy formulation and legislative drafting
- Proficient negotiation and statutory interpretation skills
- Ability to manage projects and present information effectively
- A valid driver’s license
How to Apply
Submit your application via post or hand-delivery to the specified addresses below.
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Requirements
LLB degree or relevant qualification as recognised by SAQA.A minimum of eight (8) years post qualification experience in the provision of legal services.
Extensive experience in drafting legislation both primary and subordinate legislations.
Knowledge of public service and departmental policies, legislations and procedures; environmental, administrative and mining legislations; research methodologies and presentation skills; legal administration; strategic coordination/ planning; business planning; report/professional writing; business process management; organisation performance management; risk management; audit procedures; project management; planning and performance management legislation.
Skills & Competencies: Advanced skills in policy formulation; advanced skills in legislative drafting; advanced negotiation skills; advanced statutory interpretation skills, adequate skills in computer use; advanced skills in financial and project management; advanced skills in respect of formal presentation and public speaking; good interpersonal relations and diplomatic skills; relationship management; stakeholder engagement; public relations; research; strategic capability and leadership; programme and project management; change management; knowledge management; service delivery innovation (SDI); problem solving and analysis; people management and empowerment; client orientation and customer focus; ability to work under pressure and long hours; ability to work individually and in a team; good interpersonal relations, ability to work with difficult persons and to resolve conflict; sense of responsibility and loyalty; objectiveness; integrity; service orientated; self-supervision; highly developed sense of honesty and protect the confidentiality of documents.
Must have a valid driver’s licence.
Job Duties
Provide legislative support to the department (drafting, vetting and commenting on Bills, policies and subordinate legislation).provide general legal support relating to the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA) and its subordinate legislation (Legal opinions/ advice/ research on legislation administered by the Department, submissions, briefing documents, responses to the public, media queries, parliamentary questions, support to interpretation queries in terms of NEMA and subordinate legislation).
Provide legal support in relation to NEMA/ Specific environmental management Acts and mining alignment support.
Taking Bills through and assisting in the Cabinet and Parliamentary processes.
Ensuring that the work produced by the Directorate is legally defensible and of good quality, and that the timelines and prescripts set by the legislation and departmental service standards are adhered to.
Provide legislative and policy coordination support to Working Groups and subordinate structures dealing with NEMA and subordinate legislation, and participate in law reform fora of other Departments and inputs on draft Bills, subordinate legislation, policies and guidelines with specific focus areas.
