Senior Officer: Legal Advisor (post level 9) (Contract Appointment: 3 years) (Job ID: 5819) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

• Scrutinise contracts and agreements.
• Research relevant legislation and case law pertaining to the agreement or contract.
• Redraft contract or agreement to incorporate proposed amendments or changes.
• Consult with and advise clients on terms and provisions contained in contracts or agreements.
• Ensure soundness of contract or agreement for compliance with applicable laws and UFS’s statute and policies and issue confirmation to this effect.
• Scrutinise instructions to prepare a legal opinion.
• Assist in reviewing the legal material and any other relevant documents by providing legal opinion.
• Conduct research on relevant laws and the latest case law.
• Prepare and draft legal opinion.
• Advise and assist with the interpretation of contracts or agreements.
• Advise and assist with the interpretation of the institution’s statute, rules, policies, and/or guidelines.
• Advise on compliance with relevant legislation and prescripts.
• Keep abreast of the law, jurisprudence, and legislative developments to advise and assist the institution on compliance matters.
• Conduct research and render legal advice and support on all legal functions.
• Provide oral or written legal advice upon request to senior management.
• Research and evaluate different legal risk factors and identify legal priority areas.
• Offer proactive advice on possible legal issues detrimental to the institution.
• Advise and assess litigation cases and engage with external legal practitioners. 
• Assist external attorneys and/or advocates briefed by the institution with litigation or arbitration matters involving the institution. 
• Assist with identifying and arranging relevant witnesses. 
• Assist with obtaining relevant supporting documentation necessary to conduct litigation or arbitration. 
• Provide feedback on litigation or arbitration matters and submit progress reports. 
• Advise on contract negotiations and contract management. 
• Draft and/ or assist with policy formulation, rules, procedures, and /or guidelines. 
• Ensure compliance with the Institution’s Statute and applicable rules. 
• Interpret and advise on relevant provisions of the policy, rule, procedure, or guideline to ensure compliance with legal prescripts and law. 
• Review and where necessary propose amendments to policy, rule, procedure, and/ or guideline. 
• Advise on student and/ or staff disciplinary matters. 
• Enforce, monitor, and evaluate student disciplinary processes including mediation processes. 
• Consult with the complainant and relevant witnesses in preparation of disciplinary matter. 
• Draft charge sheet. 
• Conduct student and/or staff disciplinary matters and apply the rules and policies of the Institution. 
• Keep abreast of the law, jurisprudence, and legislative development to assist the Institution with a successful institution of disciplinary matters. 
• Advise and assist with appeals or CCMA matters. 
• Supervise Administrative Assistant. 
• Administer all case and project documents. 
• Provide regular reports and feedback. 
• Ensure accurate monthly time recording/recovery process of service providers. 
• Contribute towards the drawing up of projects' annual budget. 
• Monitor expenditure of own projects and identify early warning reports. 
• Ensure efficient administration of casework. 
• Provide procedural and administrative assistance to the Assistant Director: Legal Services and Student Discipline in the day-to-day running of the Directorate. 
• Execute tasks relating to the effective and efficient handling of any student disciplinary matters. 
• Direct the effective process of adjudication until conclusion of the matter in all instances of student discipline, involving the serious infringements of the University of the Free State’s Rules. 
• Oversee and guide the Case Officer and the Administrative Officer in all entrusted matters of student discipline to ensure adherence to all the applicable rules and policies. 
• Act as Prosecutor/Evidence Leader. 
• Facilitate mediations. 
• Compile reports. 
• Draft rules, procedures, and related processes. 
• Compile and/or coordinate monthly reports on the work of the unit. 

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF level 7 or a 3-year National Diploma on NQF level 6 with specialization in legal subjects. 
• A minimum of Two (2) years of relevant experience as a legal advisor.

Recommendations:

• Admission as an Attorney or an Advocate. 
• Relevant certificates or experience in mediation, investigation, and consultation would be advantageous. 
• Legal background in litigation, hearings, investigations and in alternative dispute resolutions. 
• Higher education experience, especially in Student Disciplinary matters would be advantageous. 
• Post-admission experience of three (3) years.