SENIOR LEGAL ADMIN OFFICER: LEGAL SERVICES is a South African government vacancy at DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. This job is part of Circular 18 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Mmeli | closing date: 19 June 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Salary
R685 812 – R1 442 451 per annum (Salary will be in accordance with OSD determination)
Requirements
- An LLB qualification.
- At least 8 years appropriate post qualification legal experience.
- A minimum of 8 years' appropriate post-qualification legal experience.
- Admitted as an Attorney or Advocate A valid drivers licence.
- Knowledge of the Constitution.
- Knowledge of the PFMA.
- Knowledge of Civil Procedure (high court and magistrate court rules.
- Knowledge of PAJA, PAIA, and POPIA.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in education law (Employment of Educators Act and South African Schools Act) Experience in drafting of Contracts and Legislation.
- Analytical thinking skills.
- Experience in legal drafting.
- Good verbal and communication skills.
- Project management skills.
- Computer literacy.
Duties
The successful candidate will be responsible for researching the applicability of legal principles on legal opinion; conducting research on applicable policy, legislation and legal principles with legal opinions; formulating legal opinions; studying and citing relevant cases on aspects related to legal opinions; providing recommendation and conclusion within permissible legal prescripts; consulting clients to verify requests for opinion and contents of the opinion upon finalisation; ascertaining whether legislation is in accordance with principle of drafting and interpretation of statute; ascertaining that the intentions of the department are reflected in proposed or amendment bills; drafting of memorandums; establishing if the department should litigate or defend a matter; consulting with relevant line functions; providing evidence in regard to possible settlement and negotiating settlements with opponents; preparing instructions to State Attorneys and making recommendations for appointment of suitable Advocates where necessary; monitoring court cases from inception to finalisation; reviewing all pleadings at all stages for the court case as per court rules; exploring alternative dispute resolution options for each court case; ensuring that briefings are prepared and court orders are implemented effectively; drafting and verifying contracts; conducting research on applicable policy, legislation or regulation to be followed; determining if the contract is legal and whether it reflects the intention of the department; liaising with all stakeholders involved in the contract and negotiating on final control; certifying contracts and verifying consistency between instructions and the content of the contract; providing inputs into the strategic planning of the Directorate/ Chief Directorate and executing of the operational plan; providing supervision of Legal Administration Officers in the sub-directorate; submitting monthly and quarterly reports to the Director.
Enquiries
Ms. S Naidoo (Tel: 040 608 4200) For e-Recruitment Enquiries, eMail: erecruitment@ecdoe.gov.za
Notes
Z83 in the e-recruitment system is currently not downloadable and therefore not signable; so, applicants who submitted applications via the e-recruitment system will not be disqualified for an unsigned Z83 instead will be requested to sign on interview day. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications, and other relevant documents to HR on or before the interview date. Applicants with foreign qualifications would be required to submit an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) on or before the day of the interview. Failure to submit all the requested documents will disqualify the application. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within six (6) weeks after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Selected candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record check, citizenship verification, financial/asset record check, qualification/study verification and previous employment verification). Successful candidates will also be subjected to security clearance processes. Where applicable, candidates will be subjected to a skills/knowledge test. Misrepresentation in the application documents will result in automatic disqualification and disciplinary action in the event the candidate has already been appointed. The Department reserves the right not to make appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Persons with disability and people from previously disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply. It is the department’s objective to address the Employment Equity Affirmative Action Measures in line with the Employment Equity Plan and to achieve equitable representation across race and gender. In filling of these posts gender equity and people living with disability will be highly considered. The Department reserves the right to amend / review / withdraw advertised posts if by so doing, the best interest of the department will be well served. (Females and People with disabilities are also requested to apply and indicate such in their applications). NB Please Note: It is the department’s objective to address the Employment Equity Affirmative Action Measures in line with the ECDOE EE Plan and to achieve equitable representation across race and gender. In filling of these posts gender equity and people living with disability will be highly considered. The Department reserves the right to amend / review / withdraw advertised posts if by so doing, the best interest of the department will be well served. (Females and People with disabilities are also requested to apply and indicate such in their applications). Enquiries must be directed to the specified contact person. For e-Recruitment Enquiries, Email: erecruitment@ecdoe.gov.za OTHER POSTS
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
SALARY : R685 812 – R1 442 451 per annum (Salary will be in accordance with OSD determination)
CENTRE : Mmeli
REQUIREMENTS : An LLB qualification. At least 8 years appropriate post qualification legal experience. A minimum of 8 years' appropriate post-qualification legal
experience. Admitted as an Attorney or Advocate A valid drivers licence.
Knowledge of the Constitution. Knowledge of the PFMA. Knowledge of Civil
Procedure (high court and magistrate court rules. Knowledge of PAJA, PAIA, and POPIA. Extensive knowledge and experience in education law
(Employment of Educators Act and South African Schools Act) Experience in drafting of Contracts and Legislation. Analytical thinking skills. Experience in
legal drafting. Good verbal and communication skills. Project management skills. Computer literacy.
DUTIES : The successful candidate will be responsible for researching the applicability of legal principles on legal opinion; conducting research on applicable policy,
legislation and legal principles with legal opinions; formulating legal opinions; studying and citing relevant cases on aspects related to legal opinions;
providing recommendation and conclusion within permissible legal prescripts; consulting clients to verify requests for opinion and contents of the opinion
upon finalisation; ascertaining whether legislation is in accordance with principle of drafting and interpretation of statute; ascertaining that the intentions
of the department are reflected in proposed or amendment bills; drafting of memorandums; establishing if the department should litigate or defend a
matter; consulting with relevant line functions; providing evidence in regard to possible settlement and negotiating settlements with opponents; preparing
instructions to State Attorneys and making recommendations for appointment of suitable Advocates where necessary; monitoring court cases from inception
to finalisation; reviewing all pleadings at all stages for the court case as per court rules; exploring alternative dispute resolution options for each court case;
ensuring that briefings are prepared and court orders are implemented effectively; drafting and verifying contracts; conducting research on applicable
policy, legislation or regulation to be followed; determining if the contract is legal and whether it reflects the intention of the department; liaising with all
stakeholders involved in the contract and negotiating on final control; certifying contracts and verifying consistency between instructions and the content of the
contract; providing inputs into the strategic planning of the Directorate/ Chief
Directorate and executing of the operational plan; providing supervision of
Legal Administration Officers in the sub-directorate; submitting monthly and quarterly reports to the Director.
ENQUIRIES : Ms. S Naidoo (Tel: 040 608 4200)
For e-Recruitment Enquiries, eMail: erecruitment@ecdoe.gov.za
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 18 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: This vacancy was imported from the official DPSA circular PDF. Please confirm the reference number, closing date, and application instructions in the original circular before applying. View the official DPSA vacancy circulars.


