The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) in South Africa plays a crucial role in the administration of justice. The OCJ provides support to the judiciary to ensure effective and efficient administration of justice in the country.
For those interested in pursuing a career within the OCJ, this article provides a detailed overview of the available vacancies, the application process, and essential guidelines to increase your chances of securing a position.
List of Office of the Chief Justice Vacancies
1. Court Manager
Location: Western Cape Division of the High Court
Salary: R849 707 – R1 000 908 per annum (Level 11)
Reference Number: 2024/83/OCJ
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- Three-year National Diploma in Management or Administration (NQF Level 6) with 360 credits
- Six years relevant experience, with three years at Junior Management level
- Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies:
- Human Resource Management
- Financial, Assets, and Supply Chain Management
- Case Flow Management
- Facilities and Security Management
- Leadership and Communication Skills
- Time Management
Duties:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Court
- Manage Human Resource and Administrative services
- Coordinate Internal Audit and Risk Management Services
- Monitor Court performance and enhance judicial stakeholder relations
- Manage Facilities and Security services
Enquiries: Ms. M Baker, Tel No: (021) 469 4032
2. Registrar (x3 Posts)
Locations:
- Mpumalanga Division of the High Court: Middleburg (Ref No: 2024/84/OCJ)
- Northern Cape Division of the High Court: Kimberley (Ref No: 2024/85/OCJ)
- Gauteng Division of the High Court: Johannesburg (Ref No: 2024/86/OCJ)
Salary: R556 356 – R1 314 666 per annum (MR6)
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- LLB Degree or four-year legal qualification
- Eight years’ experience as a Registrar
- Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies:
- Communication and Report Writing Skills
- Numerical skills
- Leadership and Managerial experience
- Technical expertise
Duties:
- Mentor and advise on case management
- Manage time and events for case progression
- Implement court rules and practice directives
- Train registrars and clerks
- Manage strategic court efficiency projects
Enquiries:
- Northern Cape: Ms. L Wymers, Tel No: (053) 492 3533
- Mpumalanga: Zwane/Mr. MV Maeko, Tel No: (013) 792 2211/758 0000
- Gauteng: Ms. T Mbalekwa, Tel No: (010) 494 8515
3. Law Researcher (z3 Posts)
Locations:
- Free State Division of the High Court: Bloemfontein (Ref No: 2024/87/OCJ)
- Northern Division of the High Court: Kimberley (Ref No: 2024/88/OCJ)
- Eastern Division of the High Court: Makhanda (Ref No: 2024/89/OCJ)
Salary: R552 081 – R650 322 per annum (Level 10)
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- LLB Degree or four-year legal qualification
- Three years’ experience as a Law Researcher
- Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies:
- Communication skills
- Numerical skills
- Technical expertise
- Planning and organizing skills
- Problem-solving skills
Duties:
- Conduct legal research for Judges
- Compile research reports
- Supervise and allocate work to researchers
- Monitor legal developments
- Support Judges with court-related work
Enquiries:
- Free State: Ms. N de la Rey, Tel No: (051) 492 4585
- Eastern Cape: Mr. S Mponzo, Tel No: (043) 726 5217
- Northern Cape: Ms. L Wymers, Tel No: (053) 492 3533
4. Assistant Director: Security (x2 Posts)
Locations:
- Gauteng Provincial Service Centre (Ref No: 2024/90/OCJ)
- National Office: Midrand (Ref No: 2024/91/OCJ)
Salary: R444 036 – R532 602 per annum (Level 09)
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- Three-year National Diploma/Degree in Security Management or Security Risk Management (NQF level 6) with 360 credits
- Three years’ supervisory experience in security or risk management
- Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies:
- Knowledge of PAIA, MISS, OHSA, POPIA
- Communication skills
- Administration and organizational skills
- Interpersonal skills
Duties:
- Provide security advisory services
- Implement OCJ Security Policy
- Manage security service providers
- Conduct threat and risk assessments
- Develop security procedural guidelines
Enquiries:
- Gauteng: Ms. T Mbalekwa, Tel No: (010) 494 8515
- National Office: Mr. C Manyathela, Tel No: (010) 493 2500
5. Senior Court Interpreter
Location: Eastern Division of the High Court: Gqeberha
Salary: R308 154 – R362 413 per annum
Reference Number: 2024/93/OCJ
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- Three-year National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification
- Proficiency in English and two or more indigenous languages (mainly IsiXhosa, Isi-Zulu, Southern Sotho)
- Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies:
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving skills
Duties:
- Render interpreting services in various court proceedings
- Translate legal documents and exhibits
- Assist with reconstruction of court records
- Develop terminology and coinwords
Enquiries: Mr. Mponzo, Tel No: (047) 726 5217
6. Judge’s Secretaries (x3 Posts)
Location: Supreme Court of Appeal: Bloemfontein
Salary: R308 154 – R362 413 per annum (Level 07) plus 37% in lieu of benefits
Reference Number: 2024/97/OCJ
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- One to three years of secretarial experience in a legal environment
- Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies:
- Excellent typing skills
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
Duties:
- Manage incoming and outgoing calls
- Schedule appointments and meetings
- Type and file judgments and correspondence
- Handle visitors and queries
Enquiries: Ms. N DeLaRey, Tel No: (051) 406 8100
7. Registrar (x4 Posts)
Locations:
- Labour and Labour Appeals Court: Johannesburg (Ref No: 2024/94/OCJ)
- Land Court: Randburg (Ref No: 2024/95/OCJ)
- Gauteng Division of the High Court: Pretoria (Ref No: 2024/96/OCJ)
Salary: R293 847 – R1 005 801 per annum (MR3 – MR5)
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree (NQF 8) in LLB or four-year legal qualifications
- Two to 14 years of legal experience, depending on the specific level
Skills and Competencies:
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
Duties:
- Manage and execute quasi-judicial functions
- Coordinate case flow management
- Supervise staff
- Provide practical training to Registrar Clerks
Enquiries: Ms. T Mbalekwa, Tel No: (010) 494 8515
8. Registrar’s Clerk
Location: Eastern Cape Division of the High Court: Bisho
Salary: R216 417 – R254 928 per annum (Level 05)
Reference Number: 2024/98/OCJ
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- One year of administration experience, preferably in a court environment
Skills and Competencies:
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Interpersonal and public relation skills
Duties:
- Support case flow management
- Render counter services
- Act as liaison between Judges and Legal Practitioners
- Handle public queries and official correspondence
Enquiries: Mr. S Mponzo, Tel No: (043) 726 5217
9. Administration Clerk: Assets
Location: Eastern Cape Division of the High Court: Makhanda
Salary: R216 417 – R254 928 per annum
Reference Number: 2024/100/OCJ
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- No experience required
Skills and Competencies:
- Computer literacy
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal relations
Duties:
- Maintain accurate asset register
- Conduct physical verification of assets
- Report stolen or lost assets
- Monitor leased asset register
Enquiries: Mr. S Mponzo, Tel No: (043) 726 5217
10. Administration Clerk
Location: Western Cape Division of The High Court, Cape Town
Salary: R216 417 – R254 928 per annum
Reference Number: 2024/99/OCJ
Requirements:
- Matric Certificate
- Experience in general administration or court-related functions
- Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies:
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Public relations skills
Duties:
- Operate court recording equipment
- Maintain criminal record books and charge sheets
- Provide administrative support in court and case flow management
Enquiries: Ms. M Baker, Tel No: (021) 469 4032
11. Usher Messenger (x2 Posts)
Location: Eastern Cape Division of The High Court: Mthatha
Salary: R155 148 – R182 757 per annum (Level 03)
Reference Number: 2024/101/OCJ
Requirements:
- Grade 9
- No experience required
Skills and Competencies:
- Computer literacy
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal relations
Duties:
- Prepare courts and assist with documents
- Handle exhibits and assist witnesses
- Collect and deliver files and documents
- Distribute post and documents
Enquiries: Mr. S Mponzo, Tel No: (043) 726 5217
Application Submission Guidelines for Office of the Chief Justice Vacancies
National Office (Midrand)
Reference Number: Quoting the relevant reference number
Address:
- Postal: The Director: Human Resources, Office of the Chief Justice, Private Bag X10, Marshalltown, 2107
- Hand Delivery: Office of the Chief Justice, Human Resource Management, 188, 14th Road, Noordwyk, Midrand, 1685
- Email: applicationsNO@judiciary.org.za
Eastern Cape
Reference Number: Quoting the relevant reference number
Address:
- Postal: The Provincial Head, Office of the Chief Justice, Private Bag X13012, Cambridge 5206, East London
- Hand Delivery: 59 Western Avenue, Sanlam Park Building, 2nd Floor, Vincent 5242, East London
- Email: applicationsEC@judiciary.org.za
Free State / Supreme Court of Appeal: Bloemfontein
Reference Number: Quoting the relevant reference number
Address:
- Postal: The Provincial Head, Office of the Chief Justice, Private Bag X20612, Bloemfontein, 9300
- Hand Delivery: Free State High Court, Corner President Brand and Fontein Street, Bloemfontein, 9301
- Email: applicationsFS@judiciary.org.za
Gauteng / Land Court: Randburg/Johannesburg/Pretoria
Reference Number: Quoting the relevant reference number
Address:
- Postal: The Provincial Head, Office of the Chief Justice, Private Bag X7, Johannesburg, 2000
- Hand Delivery: 12th floor, Cnr Pritchard and Kruis Street, Johannesburg
- Email: applicationsGAU@judiciary.org.za
Northern Cape
Reference Number: Quoting the relevant reference number
Address:
- Postal: The Provincial Head, Office of the Chief Justice, Private Bag X5043, Kimberley, 8300
- Hand Delivery: High Court, Sol Plaaitjie Drive, Room B107, Kimberley
- Email: applicationsNC@judiciary.org.za
Mpumalanga
Reference Number: Quoting the relevant reference number
Address:
- Postal: The Provincial Head, Office of the Chief Justice, Private Bag X20051, Mbombela, 1211
- Hand Delivery: Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Office of the Chief Justice Provincial Service Centre, 311 Samora Machel Drive, Mbombela, 1200
- Email: applicationsMP@judiciary.org.za
Western Cape
Reference Number: Quoting the relevant reference number
Address:
- Postal: The Provincial Head, Office of the Chief Justice, Private Bag X14, Vlaeberg, 8018
- Hand Delivery: 30 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town
- Email: applicationsWC@judiciary.org.za
Important Notes
- Closing Date: 19 August 2024
- Application Form: All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form.
- Accompanying Documents: Applications 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.
- Form Completion: Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed, and initialed on both pages 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.
- Disqualification: 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 form will not be considered.
- Foreign Qualifications: If in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Dual citizenship holders must provide a Police Clearance certificate from the country of origin.
- Compliance Checks: Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, reference checks, and employment verification).
- Communication: Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
- Appointments: The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered.
- Shortlisted Candidates: All shortlisted candidates for Senior Management Service (SMS) posts will be subjected to a technical competency exercise. Following the interview and technical exercise, candidates may be required to attend generic managerial competencies using the DPSA SMS competency assessment tools.
- Employment Contract: All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within three months of appointment, and will be required to undergo a security clearance within three months after appointment.
- POPIA Compliance: The Office of the Chief Justice complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act No. 4 of 2013. Personal information will be used for recruitment purposes only and retained for internal audit purposes if the application is unsuccessful. The OCJ will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all shared information during the recruitment process.
Applying for a position within the Office of the Chief Justice can be a rewarding career move. Ensure that you meet all the requirements, submit all necessary documentation, and prepare thoroughly for any assessments and interviews. The OCJ is committed to upholding Employment Equity goals, providing equal opportunities for all qualified candidates.
