Legal Officer: Properties and Contracts & Governance and Corporate Legal Support
KOUGA MUNICIPALITY (EC 108)
NOTICE NO: 251/2024
EXTERNAL VACANCIES
Kouga Municipality, is committed to the prescripts of the approved Employment Equity Plan and furthermore invites suitably qualified applicants to submit a detailed application for the following position:
Legal Officer: Properties and Contracts & Governance and Corporate Legal Support
REQUIREMENTS:
- Relevant NQF Level 7 qualification;
- At least 4 years relevant experience;
- Code B driving license;
- Sound Local Government Legal experience including environmental law and law of contracts;
- Practical experience of criminal and civil litigation. Must have a full understanding of municipal by-laws;
- Ability to negotiate and resolve legal problems. Strong and persuasive communication skills;
- Ability to research case laws and precedents and provide sound advice to the municipality;
- Must be able to speak, read and write in at least two of the official languages in Kouga Municipality (Afrikaans, English, and Xhosa
SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Nil.
SALARY: R403 353.44 – R523 564.89 Per Annum
TASK: 13
DUTIES:
- Communicating with the Manager on specific Legal Key Performance Areas (Properties and Contracts & Governance and Corporate Legal Support) with a view to aligning functions and objectives;
- Analysing the adequacy of current legal approaches, submits reports supporting specific provisions associated with Legal Services interventions;
- Keeping abreast of legislative changes and National Government requirements with respect to access to legal information and formulating methodologies/ policies dictating procedural applications for consideration and approval;
- Interpreting situational and contextual issues and researching relevant topics to enable the preparation of legal documentation;
- Controlling the implementation of new or amended municipal by-laws, tariffs and policies through the investigation/ research of proposals;
- Determining the legality of creation of by-laws and the prospects of enforcing intended by-laws through the assessment of possible legal infringement of any part of the law;
- Researching the drafting of by-laws through the application and knowledge of the law i.e. Constitution, Individual Rights, relevant Acts (e.g. Business Act), and applicable Council Policy to ensure that proposed by-laws are not ultra vires, unreasonable, vague or invalid;
- Facilitating the approval of draft by-laws through effecting the relevant approval processes i.e. forwarding the drafts to the Manager, publications in newspapers, to Council, and publishing approved by-law in the Provincial Gazette;
- Determining the exact nature and extent of legal problems referred by Council Departments, Council Committees, etc. and questioning relevant parties, requesting specific information, and suggesting particular investigations;
- Determining practical resolutions to relevant legal problems (Labour Law, Governance & Corporate Affairs, Properties and Contracts, Legislation & Law Enforcement, and General Litigation) through the application and knowledge of the law and where necessary, referring to legal reference documentation, publications, legislations, etc. and taking into account the legal implications of the problem/s and the alternative solutions to either the Council, the complainant or any other parties;
- Formulating legal opinions and recommends guidelines to resolve issues e.g. drafting agreements, contracts, undertakings, etc;
- Initiates draft policies or procedures to deal with various legal issues, including new legislation to ensure sufficient notice and correct interpretation and implementation e.g. employee liability for damage to Council Vehicle, drafting of resolutions, legal guidelines for certain functions undertaken by the various departments;
- Providing advice and assistance to Departments/ Committees, etc. in matters of a complicated nature where legal input is required e.g. drafting of letters of a technical legal nature;
- Keeping abreast of continual updates/ changes in law through the studying of law reports and disseminates information on latest developments to Council and its employees;
- Coordinates municipal prosecutions through the gathering of evidence and preparation of witnesses for submission to the criminal court;
- Addressing public liability claims through the consideration of relevant facts and recommending or initiating appropriate processes;
- Monitoring the preparation and prosecution of interdict proceedings in cases involving transgressions of the National Buildings Regulations;
- Monitoring the litigation in the civil court up to trial stage for actions against/ or actions for Council.
BENEFITS: As per standard conditions of service.
Applicants must submit a formal application form and a comprehensive CV, certified copy of qualifications, identity document and driver’s license. Applications must be submitted electronically as one PDF document to recruitment@kouga.gov.za. Application forms can be obtained from the Municipal website, www.kouga.gov.za and must reach the Human Resource Manager on or before Wednesday, 22 January 2025 at 12:00.
For any enquiries contact Mr. B Faulkner: 042 2002 200.
Disqualification:
Please note that the following can lead to disqualification:
- Canvassing of councillors.
- Submission of fraudulent qualifications and/ or documents.
NB: Please note that shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a vetting process. By applying for this position, the candidates agree to background checks being performed.
Preference will be given to applicants residing within the Kouga area of jurisdiction.
The Municipality reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Should you not hear from us within 30 days of closing date, kindly regard your application as being unsuccessful.
Kouga Municipality is an equal opportunity employer which subscribes to the principle of affirmative action, which is non-sexist, non-racist, non-discriminatory and based on merit.
MR C DU PLESSIS P. O. BOX 21
MUNICIPAL MANAGER JEFFREYS BAY
6330
