Legal Officer: Properties and Contracts

Legal Officer: Properties and Contracts & Legal Support 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: Requirements B or NQF Level 7 qualification At least 4 years relevant experience An Admitted Attorney Code B driving license Sound Local Government Legal experience Practical experience of criminal and civil litigation. Must have a full understanding of municipal legislation and municipal by‑laws Practical experience in civil litigation Ability to negotiate and resolve legal problems with 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 R – R Per Annum Task 14 Duties Communicating with the Manager on specific Legal Key Performance Areas (Properties and Contracts & 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 and municipal by‑laws 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 Application forms can be obtained from the Municipal website, and must reach the Human Resource Manager on or before Wednesday, 04 June 2025 at 12:00. For any enquiries contact Ms Zandile Gxuluwe: . Disqualification Canvassing of councillors Submission of fraudulent qualifications and/ or documents Please note that shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a vetting and assessment 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr