Director: Litigations at South African Department of Correctional Services

Requirements:

• A degree in Law (LLB) (NQF level 7) or equivalent qualification as recognized by SAQA. Five (5) years’ experience at middle management or senior managerial level in a similar environment. A certificate for entry into the Senior Management Services (SMS) obtained from the National School of Government (NSG) is compulsory. Admission as advocate or attorney will be an added advantage. Computer literate. Valid driver’s licence.

Required knowledge:

• Understanding of the dynamics of the Justice Cluster. Understanding of public service polic and related legislative framework (Public Service Act and Regulations, Public Finance Management Act [PFMA], with emphasis on the Correctional Service Act 111 of 1998 as amended). Relevant experience in regulatory framework governing public service planning processes. Extensive experience in collective bargaining mechanisms and traceable experience in ensuring efficient and effective human resource management. In-depth knowledge and experience of the human resources legislation and regulatory framework.

Competencies and Attributes

• Financial management skills. Strategic capability and leadership. Policy development. Communication. Project and programme management. Transformation and change management, Client orientation and customer focus. Problem solving and analysis. Service delivery Innovation. Decision making, People management and empowerment. Integrity and honesty. Confidentiality. Interpersonal relations. Assertiveness and ability to network. Diplomacy, tactful, influence and impact.

Responsibilities:

• Manage litigation risks in the department. Develop and implement litigation risk mitigation plans within DCS. Represent the department’s interests on litigation matters. Determination of culpability of officials who caused liability to the Department. Provide legal advice to management on prominent legal issues involving the department. Conduct litigation trends analysis and advise management on high risk areas as well as the required interventions. Manage contingent liabilities for the department. Provide leadership and strategic direction within the chief directorate. Provide strategic direction and leadership to the directorate to ensure alignment with departmental objectives. Develop operational plans to give strategic direction to the directorate by managing & coordination of activities. Align individual performance to the strategic business objectives as outlined in the component’s operational plans. Implement and report on strategic frameworks in the area of functional responsibility. Monitor and evaluate the attainability & sustainability of performance standards as per departmental objectives. Provision of legal support to management for decision making. Ensure effective management of the directorate in order to ensure effective service delivery. Take decisive actions on various legal matters and assess contentious and controversial issues. Establish value adding relations with internal and external stakeholders. Management of human resources, finance, assets and performance information.

Deadline:21st November,2025