SPECIALIST: LEGAL SERVICES– POST REFERENCE NUMBER: 20002091

Durban University of Technology; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Durban University of Technology (DUT) invites internal applications for the role of Specialist: Legal Services. The successful candidate will provide specialist legal advisory services, conduct research, draft opinions and assist with governance, compliance and disciplinary matters.

The role requires an LLB, admission as an attorney/advocate is ideal, and a minimum of three years' legal experience in related fields. DUT offers a permanent post under Judicial and Governance Services in Durban.

Qualifications

• LLB degree (NQF8) is the minimum education requirement.
• Three years of relevant legal experience in practice, in-house or a regulated institution.
• Advantage if admitted as an attorney or advocate; LPC registration where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist legal and procedural advice on student disciplinary matters and related judicial processes.
• Draft, review and quality-assure legal documents, opinions and agreements.
• Conduct legal research and brief external attorneys as needed; monitor compliance with laws and institutional policies.
• Support governance committees with legal input, risk assessments and decision-making.

Skills

Legal research

Legal drafting

Disciplinary processes

Governance

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Master of Laws (LLM) advantageous

Job description

With more than34,400 students, and approximately 1700 permanent members of staff, theDurban University of Technology (DUT)is a leading university of technology proudly located in the beautiful cities ofDurbanandPietermaritzburg, along the warm east coast of South Africa. Founded in April 2002 through the historic merger of the former ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal, DUT has evolved into a modern, metropolitan, multi-campus university with roots tracing back to 1907.

Today, DUT is recognisednationally and internationallyfor its Excellence inteaching and learning, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and engagement. A proud member of theInternational Association of Universities, DUT continues to expand its influence across South Africa and the world. In the2025 Webometrics Rankings, DUT was ranked among theTop 6% of all universities and colleges worldwide, reflecting its academic Excellence, research impact and strong glocal visibility.

DUT’s Philosophy of Education, “Our creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society” reflects the institution’s deep commitment to meaningful impact for societal transformation. Guided by its inspirational and aspirational ENVISION2030 strategy, which is rooted in DUT’s DNA of being ‘people-centred and engaged’ and ‘innovative and entrepreneurial’ and underpinned by its bespoke Living Values Framework, DUT focuses on ‘contributing to the improvement of lives and livelihoods’.

The University comprisessix diverse Faculties:

1. Accounting and Informatics
2. Applied Sciences
3. Arts & Design
4. Engineering and the Built Environment
5. Health Sciences
6. Management Sciences

DUT also includes a Business School and the award-winningInstitute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), amongst other research centres and institutes, reinforcing its role as a hub for knowledge, innovation and societal impact. Over the years, the University substantially has grown its research output, dominating the UoT sector. This is evidenced by the steady increase of NRF-rated researchers and the notable, unprecedented award of seven NRF SARCHi Chairs in 2025. This impetus helps us to remain deeply engaged with our communities globally, thereby transforming societies and economies.

At DUT, we believe in nurturing talent and empowering people to make a real difference. If you are passionate about contributing to education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and engagement, DUT offers the ideal environment - Creative. Distinctive. Impactful.

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) invites internal applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the position of Specialist: Legal Services

Institutional Registrar

Durban University of Technology

SPECIALIST: LEGAL SERVICES – POST REFERENCE NUMBER: 20002091

Judicial and Governance Services

Peromnes Grade 7

Durban

To provide specialist legal and judicial advisory services to DUT through legal research, legal opinions, legal drafting, case assessment, disciplinary and appeal support, and legal compliance advice.

The role ensures that judicial and governance decisions are legally sound, procedurally fair and compliant with applicable legislation, the DUT Statute and institutional policies, while identifying and mitigating legal and compliance risks. The incumbent reports to the Director: Judicial and Governance Services.

Minimum Education Requirement:

• Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB), NQF Level 8.

Ideal Education Requirement:

• Admission as an attorney or advocate.
• A Master of Laws degree (LLM) is advantageous.

Minimum Experience Requirement:

• Three years' relevant experience in legal practice, in-house legal services or a regulated institutional environment involving legal research, legal drafting, preparation of legal opinions, case assessment, judicial/disciplinary matters, dispute resolution, governance or legal compliance.

Ideal Experience Requirement:

• Five years relevant professional legal experience within higher education, the public sector, governance, compliance or another complex institutional environment, with exposure to judicial, disciplinary, administrative-law or governance matters.

Legal Requirements

Minimum

• Valid Code B driver's licence.

Ideal

• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
• Where applicable, registration and good standing with the Legal Practice Council (LPC).

Key Competencies Requirements

Note to applicants:

CV to include details demonstrating the following minimum requirements for the role:

Minimum:

• Ability to interpret legislation, case law, regulations and institutional policies and apply them to complex institutional matters.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate and legally defensible opinions, correspondence, agreements, memoranda and briefing notes.
• Sound knowledge of natural justice, procedural fairness and administrative decision-making principles.
• Knowledge of disciplinary hearings, appeals, grievances, dispute resolution and related legal procedures.
• Knowledge of the Higher Education Act, DUT Statute, POPIA and relevant governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to identify, assess and advise on legal, compliance, procedural and reputational risks.
• Ability to communicate complex legal and procedural matters clearly and provide professional advice to committees, management, students, staff and external legal practitioners.

Ideal:

• Advanced knowledge of higher education law, administrative law and institutional governance.
• Advanced expertise in student disciplinary, appeals, grievance and dispute-resolution processes.
• Demonstrated ability to provide complex legal opinions and strategic legal advice to senior management and governance structures.
• Experience in legal risk assessment, litigation/dispute management and coordination with external legal practitioners.
• Advanced legal drafting and review of agreements, policies, procedures and governance instruments.
• Knowledge of DHET, CHE, Council and Senate governance and regulatory requirements within higher education.
• Experience advising committees and senior institutional stakeholders on complex, sensitive or precedent-setting legal matters.

Training and Knowledge

• DUT Statute, institutional rules, and Council, Senate and institutional governance structures.
• Student disciplinary, appeals and grievance policies, procedures and codes, including Student Disciplinary Committee and Appeals Committee processes.
• SRC Constitution and relevant student-governance frameworks.
• Higher Education Act, Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, POPIA and relevant provisions of the Labour Relations Act.
• Legal research and opinion-writing methodologies, case assessment and evidence-management principles.
• Legal-risk identification, and dispute, litigation, mediation and settlement processes.
• Legal document and contract-review processes, institutional delegations and reporting arrangements.

Special Requirements

• Willingness to work extended hours during disciplinary hearings, appeals, urgent legal matters or governance sessions.
• Ability to manage highly sensitive legal, judicial, disciplinary and governance matters with confidentiality, integrity, diplomacy and discretion.
• Ability to exercise independent professional judgement while operating within institutional delegations.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters, competing legal deadlines and high volumes of documentation accurately.
• Commitment to fairness, accountability, procedural justice and responsive institutional service.
• Commitment to maintaining current professional knowledge of relevant legislation, case law and higher-education legal developments.

Summary of Duties

• Provide specialist legal and procedural advice on student disciplinary matters, appeals, grievances and related judicial processes, including advice to Student Disciplinary and Appeals Committees.
• Review disciplinary and appeal matters against the principles of natural justice, procedural fairness and lawful administrative decision-making, and recommend corrective action where defects are identified.
• Conduct substantive legal research and prepare reasoned, legally defensible legal opinions, memoranda, briefing notes and recommendations.
• Draft and review legal correspondence, agreements, memoranda of understanding and other legal instruments for compliance, enforceability and institutional risk.
• Develop and quality-assure standard legal templates and maintain a repository of approved legal precedents and interpretations.
• Assess case files and evidence for legal and procedural sufficiency, and advise on litigation, dispute, mediation and settlement risks.
• Prepare briefing instructions for, and liaise with, external attorneys and advocates on assigned matters.
• Conduct legal-compliance reviews of policies, processes and decisions, and provide legal input to submissions to Council, Senate and external oversight bodies.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and judicial developments and advise on their implications for DUT.
• Provide legal and procedural guidance and training to judicial officers, committee members and relevant staff, and escalating sensitive or high-risk matters to the Director.

Contact Person : Pirya Naidoo

Contact Email : [e-mail]

Status of Position: Permanent

Salary: Market Related

CLOSING DATE: 05 NOVEMBER 2026

“The University reserves the right not to appoint” or to re‑advertise to widen the pool of applicants Verification will be conducted on preferred candidates only.

DUT reserves the right to do a complete verification of the information you have provided.