OCJ Vacancy : Law Researcher

REFERENCE 2023/118/OCJ

POST: LAW RESEARCHER

CENTRE: WESTERN CAPE DIVISION OF THE HIGH COURT

SALARY SCALE: R393 711 – R463 764 per annum.

The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.

REQUIREMENTS:  Matric and an LLB Degree or four–year recognised legal qualification as recognised by SAQA; A minimum of two (2) years relevant legal experience; A minimum of three (3) years legal research experience and completed articles will be an advantage. Knowledge of Electronic Information Resource and online retrieval (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Jutastat); A valid driver’s license

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:  Excellent research and analytical skills; Report writing and editing skills; Excellent communication skills (written and verbal); Problems analysis, solving, and planning skills; Computer literacy (MS Word); Project management, including planning and organising ability; Ability to integrate knowledge from diverse sources; Accuracy and attention to detail; Interpersonal skills; Ability to work under pressure; Time-management skills; Creative and analytical skills.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS: Perform all legal duties for the Judges to enable  them to prepare judgements; Research and retrieve all relevant material from all sources in both hard and electronic formats on legal issues as requested by a Judge; Read all relevant material and analyse it thoroughly; Discuss all possible variations on a legal point with colleagues and/ or the Judge’s attention. Prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the research. Proof read all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar. Double-check all references and footnotes on in all judgements and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness. Correct mistakes with the assistance of track changes to that the Judge can accept or decline any proposed changes. Drafting of speeches, legal articles and conference papers electronic format on legal issues as requested by a Judge. Read all the relevant material and analyse it thoroughly. Prepare PowerPoint presentations; Perform quasi – judicial functions; Monitoring and bringing to the attention of Judiciary new developments in law and Jurisprudence; Performing any court – related work requested to improve the efficiency of the court.

HOW TO APPLY : All applications must be submitted on a NEW Z83 form, which can be downloaded on the internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV
ONLY; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). ONLY shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed by the applicant. The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to fully complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process. Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in a possession of foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Dual citizenship holders must provide the Police Clearance certificate from the  country of origin (when shortlisted All non – SA Citizens will be required to submit a copy of proof of South African permanent residence when shortlisted. Applications that do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements will not be considered. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Applicants who do not comply with the abovementioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. The Department does not accept applications via fax or email. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process. All shortlisted candidates for Senior Management Service (SMS) posts will be subjected to a technical competency exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which be communicated by the Department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection committee will recommend candidates to attend generic managerial competencies using the mandated Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) SMS competency assessment tools. Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts. One of the minimum entry requirements to the Senior Management Service is the Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre-entry Programme (certificate) which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG).For more details on the pre-entry course visit: https://www.thensg.gov.za/trainingcourse/sms-preentry-programme. The successful candidate will be required to complete such prior to the appointment. All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointments. The Office of the Chief Justice (Constitutional Court) complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Act No. 4 of 2013. We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event your application was unsuccessful, The Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies. All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes. Failure to provide the requested information will render your application null and void. The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process. 

ENQUIRIES: Technical Related Enquiries: Ms R David Tel No: 021 480 4003 HR Related Enquiries: Ms M Baker Tel No: 021 469 4038

Closing Date 03 March 2023