OCJ CIRCULAR 25 OF 2023 Vacancy: Law Researcher
POST : LAW RESEARCHER (SIX MONTH CONTRACT), REF NO: 2023/293/OCJ
CENTRE: THOHOYANDOU HIGH COURT
SALARY: R424 104 – R508 692.00 per annum. The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.
REQUIREMENTS :
- Matric Certificate and an LLB degree or four year recognized legal qualification;
- A minimum of two (2) years relevant legal experience;
- A minimum of three (3) years legal research experience;
- Sound knowledge of domestic and international legal databases;
- A valid driver’s license will be an added advantage. An LLM will be an added advantage.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
- Excellent research and analytical skills;
- Report writing and editing skills;
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal);
- Understanding of the Constitution and relevant legislation; Computer literacy (MS Word);
- Ability to access and utilize computer research programmes (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Jutastat);
- Planning and organizing; Ability to integrate knowledge from diverse sources;
- Accuracy and attention to detail;
- Interpersonal skills; Problems solving skills;
- Ability to work under pressure;
- Ability to work independently.
DUTIES:
- Perform all legal duties for the judges to enable them to prepare judgments.
- Research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic format on legal issues, as requested by the judges and other personnel of the court. Read all the relevant material and analyse it thoroughly.
- Discuss all possible variations on a legal point with colleagues and/or the judge.
- Prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the research.
- Proof read all judgments, articles, speeches and conference papers.
- Verify all references and footnotes in all judgments and legal articles against the original text for correctness.
- Correct documents with the help of track changes to allow for the acceptance/rejection of the proposed changes.
- Drafting of speeches, conference notes and legal articles. Monitoring and bringing to the attention of judges of the court recent developments in case law and jurisprudence.
- Attend to additional duties as assigned.
ENQUIRIES :
Technical Related Enquiries: Ms. M.M.G Phaswane Tel: 015 495 1812
Hr Related Enquiries: Ms. R.F Mathobela/ Ms. E.M Ramaphakela Tel: 015 495 1758/1744
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.