CHIEF DIRECTOR - LEGAL SERVICES (Five (5)-Year Fixed Term Contract Appointment)

Department of Health; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,437,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Health seeks a Chief Director for Legal Services to provide strategic oversight and be the principal advisor for legal matters. Responsibilities include managing legal services, overseeing litigation, and ensuring compliance with regulations in a government context. Suitable candidates must possess a recognised legal qualification, extensive experience in legal management, and strategic leadership abilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience at a senior management level in a legal environment.
• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
• Extensive and proven knowledge of Medico-legal litigation and claims management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal leadership and oversight to the Department.
• Manage and oversee the provision of legal services including litigation management.
• Draft and provide legal opinions and guidance on a wide range of matters.

Skills

Strategic capability and leadership

Programme and Project Management

Financial Management

Change Management

People Management and Empowerment

Service delivery innovation

Problem solving and analysis

Communication

Client orientation and customer focus

Education

Grade 12 certificate

Recognised LLB degree or equivalent four-year legal qualification (NQF Level 7)

Job description

CHIEF DIRECTOR - LEGAL SERVICES (Five (5)-Year Fixed Term Contract Appointment)

• Reference Number : REFS/022969
• Directorate : Legal Services
• Number of Posts : 1
• Package : R 1 436 022 per annum (All-inclusive remuneration package)
• Enquiries : Ms Basani Baloyi Tel No- 063 504 6675/ [e-mail]

Requirements :

• Grade 12 certificate, a recognised LLB degree or equivalent four-year legal qualification (NQF Level 7). Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. A minimum of five (5) years’ experience at a senior management level in a legal environment. Extensive and proven knowledge of Medico-legal litigation and claims management, Labour law and dispute resolution in the public sector, Policy interpretation and legal compliance in a government setting, Legal drafting, opinion writing, and litigation strategy, Contract negotiation and management, Development and review of subordinate legislation, Legal risk identification and mitigation strategies. Sound understanding of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and applicable legislation, regulations, and policies in the public health sector. Ability to lead legal strategy and manage stakeholder relationships, including coordination with external legal service providers and internal leadership. A valid Driver’s Licence (with exception for persons with disabilities). Computer literacy. Competencies: Strategic capability and leadership, Programme and Project Management, Financial Management, Change Management, People Management and Empowerment. Service delivery innovation, Problem solving and analysis, Communication, Client orientation and customer focus.

Duties :

• Provide strategic legal leadership and oversight to the Department and serve as the principal legal advisor to the MEC, Head of Department, senior managers, and units. Manage and oversee the provision of legal services, including Litigation management, especially medico-legal claims, Labour relations matters and legal support in employee disputes, Contract development and management, Regulatory compliance and interpretation of legislation and policies. Draft and provide legal opinions and guidance on a wide range of matters, including appeals against administrative decisions. Lead and manage the development and review of legislation, including subordinate legal instruments and support the translation of legal documents as required. Ensure all contracts are legally sound by conducting legal scrutiny, risk assessments, and providing advice throughout the contracting process. Facilitate stakeholder engagement with the State Attorney, State Law Advisors, and external counsel. Supervise the preparation of legal documents for litigation and manage communication with external legal partners. Direct and manage the human and financial resources of the Chief Directorate in line with relevant public service regulations and strategic goals. Proactively identify legal risks and implement measures to prevent litigation and financial loss to the Department.

Notes :

• Applications should be submitted strictly online at the following E-Recruitment portal: http://jobs.gauteng.gov.za. No hand-delivered, faxed, or emailed applications will be accepted. For assistance with online applications please email your query to [e-mail]. An SMS Pre-Entry Certificate is mandatory when applying for Senior Management positions (Director-upwards) in the Public Service. NB: No appointment shall be effected without the recommended candidate producing a certificate of completion for the SMS Pre-Entry Programme (Nyukela), offered by the National School of Government. SMS Pre-Entry Certificate can be obtained by registering on the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-courses/sms-pre-entryprogramme.Applications should be accompanied by a fully completed and signed new Z83 form obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the internet at www.dpsa.gov.za/documents. The new Z83 form must be fully completed and signed by the applicant. The following must be considered in relation to the completion of the Z83 by applicants: All the fields in Part A, Part C and Part D must be completed. Application/s without proof of a new Z83 application form and detailed CV will be disqualified. Applicants must indicate the post reference number on their applications. Shortlisted candidates will receive communication from the respective HR unit to submit certified copies of educational qualifications and other relevant documents not older than 6 months on or before the day of the interview). All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency-based assessments). The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tool.Personnel Suitability Checks (criminal checks, citizenship checks, qualification verification, company directorship, social media, financial record checks, reference checks) will be conducted prior appointment. Candidates in possession of a foreign qualification must furnish the Department with an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Applicants with foreign qualifications remain responsible for ensuring that their qualifications are evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Preference will be given to South African citizens. The performance of normal and commuted overtime, where applicable is not mandatory, however it will be based on the operational needs of the hospitals.The Department reserves the right not to fill any advertised posts.

Employer : Department of Health

Location : Central Office, Johannesburg

Closing Date : 25-07-2025

Criteria Questions

Do you have a grade 12 Certificate, an appropriate LLB Degree or recognized 4-year legal qualification (NQF 7)?

Do you have Five years' experience at a senior management level?

Do you have an admission as an Attorney of the High Court South Africa or Advocate?

Please Notes :

• Due to the large number of applications we envisage receiving, applications will not be acknowledged. If youdo not receive any response within 3 months, please accept that your application was not successful.