SENIOR STATE ADVOCATE is a South African government vacancy at National Prosecuting Authority. This job is part of Circular 25 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: DPP: Johannesburg (STU) | closing date: 03 August 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Salary
R1 242 915 – R1 934 208 per annum (LP-9), (Total cost package)
Centre
DPP: Johannesburg (STU)
Requirements
- An LLB.
- For serving prosecutors seeking promotion any appropriate legal qualification.
- At least eight (8) years post qualification legal experience in civil and/or criminal litigation.
- Demonstrable competency in acting Independently, Professionally, Accountable and with Credibility.
- Right of appearance as contemplated in section 25(2) of the NPA Act, 32 of 1998.
- At least 6 years of relevant criminal court work experience in advocacy and drafting.
- Welldeveloped skills in legal research.
- Good interpersonal, analytical, organisational and communication skills.
- General computer literacy required.
- Excellent administrative skills.
- Assist with the Performance management and assessments of staff.
- Proficiency in prosecuting or litigation experience regarding commercial crimes, Fraud, Theft and other common law/statutory offences relating to tax evasion is essential.
- Knowledge of legislation relating to Income Tax, VAT, PAYE as well as the Tax Administration Act and the Customs and Excise Act required.
- Knowledge of Company Law.
- Competency in guiding investigations in complex or more difficult matters, including commercial matters, drafting charge sheets, indictments and court documents, dealing with representations and conducting motion proceedings.
- The ability to mentor, train and quality check the work of Advocates.
- Ability to act independently without supervision and manage court and case flow management independently.
- Required to travel to courts across the Division to prosecute tax cases as and when required.
- Valid driver`s license is required.
Duties
- To institute and conduct criminal proceedings on behalf of the State, to perform any act incidental thereto and to carry out the duties and functions assigned to the prosecution under any Act and/or the Policy Manual and/or any directives, inter alia, to study case dockets, decide on the institution of and conduct criminal proceedings of a complex nature.
- Prepare cases for court by inter alia guiding the investigation, consulting with witnesses and acquiring additional evidence.
- Draft charge sheets and indictments.
- Deal with any representations.
- Present the State’s case in court.
- Present evidence, cross-examine and address the court on inter alia, conviction and sentence.
- Study appeals and reviews, prepare opinions and heads of argument for complex matters and argue cases in the appropriate court with right of appearance.
- Appear in court in motion applications pertaining to criminal matters and in general conduct prosecutions on behalf of the State.
- Perform all duties, including administrative duties and specific tasks assigned by the supervisor, related thereto in accordance with the Code of Conduct, policy, and directives of the National Prosecuting Authority.
- Supervise and manage performance of State Advocate(s) (if so required).
- Conduct performance assessments of staff (if so required).
- Quality check work of Advocates.
- Mentor and guide Advocates, prosecutors, and stakeholders.
- Assist in the keeping of proper records/statistics in relation to all criminal prosecutions conducted by the STU and assist in compilation of statistics/reports.
- Middle management, including appeals, court rolls (under supervision) and office inspections.
- Managing of allocated portfolio within STU.
- Assist Deputy Directors in high-profile matters or matters where an increased risk element is present.
- Promote partner integration, community involvement and customer satisfaction in conjunction with partners in the criminal justice system.
Enquiries
Rosette Swarts Tel No: (011) 220 4114
Applications
Where to send your application.
e mail: Recruit2026220@npa.gov.za
Department Notes
Applicants must apply by submitting applications on the most recent Z83 form obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the DPSA web site link: https://www.dpsa.gov.za/newsroom/psvc/ and a comprehensive CV ONLY (with detailed experience information). Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other relevant documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation report issued by SAQA (only when shortlisted). It is the applicant’s responsibility to have all foreign qualifications evaluated by SAQA and to provide proof of such evaluation (only when shortlisted). All applications must reach the NPA on/or before the closing date. No late applications will be accepted/processed. Documents should not be password protected, and ZIP files will be blocked. The NPA cannot be held responsible for server delays. All applications must reach the NPA on/or before the closing date. No late applications will be accepted/processed. The applicant’s attention is drawn to the fact that the NPA uses an Electronic Response Handling System in terms of e-mailed applications. Please do not contact the NPA directly after you have e-mailed your applications to enquire if your application(s) have been received. If you have not received an acknowledgement of receipt within one week after the closing date, then you can contact the NPA. The NPA reserves the right not to fill any particular position. If you do not hear from us within (6) six months from the closing date of the advert, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Successful candidates will be subjected to a security clearance of at least confidential. Appointment to this position will be provisional, pending the issue of security clearance. Fingerprints will be taken on the day of the interview. The social media accounts of shortlisted applicants may be accessed as part of the verification process. A valid driver’s license will be a requirement where applicable. All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments which are, a practical exercise and an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the NPA. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and interview. Following the technical exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo psychometric assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity. A Pre-entry certificate obtained from the National School of Government (NSG) is required for all SMS applicants for Public Service Act positions in the NPA (SMS preentry certificate to be submitted prior to appointment). NPA Act appointments are exempted from the pre-entry certificate requirement. This is a Public Service specific training programme. The name of the course is Certificate for entry into the SMS. The full details can be sourced from the link https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/.. Applicants are advised that from 1 January 2021 a new application form for employment (Z83) is in use. The new application for employment form can be downloaded at www.dpsa.gov.za-vacancies. From 1 January 2021 should an application be received using the incorrect (old) application for employment (Z83), it will not be considered. NB! Applicants Who Are Successful Must Please note that the NPA is not in a position to pay resettlement costs. ERRATUM: DDPP: Durban – Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions with Ref No: Recruit 2026/204 advertised in Public Service Vacancy Circular 17 dated 22 May 2026 is hereby withdrawn.
Original Text
SALARY : R1 242 915 – R1 934 208 per annum (LP-9), (Total cost package)
CENTRE : DPP: Johannesburg (STU)
REQUIREMENTS : An LLB. For serving prosecutors seeking promotion any appropriate legal qualification. At least eight (8) years post qualification legal experience in civil
and/or criminal litigation. Demonstrable competency in acting Independently,
Professionally, Accountable and with Credibility. Right of appearance as contemplated in section 25(2) of the NPA Act, 32 of 1998. At least 6 years of
relevant criminal court work experience in advocacy and drafting. Welldeveloped skills in legal research. Good interpersonal, analytical, organisational and communication skills. General computer literacy required.
Excellent administrative skills. Assist with the Performance management and assessments of staff. Proficiency in prosecuting or litigation experience
regarding commercial crimes, Fraud, Theft and other common law/statutory offences relating to tax evasion is essential. Knowledge of legislation relating
to Income Tax, VAT, PAYE as well as the Tax Administration Act and the
Customs and Excise Act required. Knowledge of Company Law. Competency in guiding investigations in complex or more difficult matters, including
commercial matters, drafting charge sheets, indictments and court documents, dealing with representations and conducting motion proceedings. The ability to
mentor, train and quality check the work of Advocates. Ability to act independently without supervision and manage court and case flow
management independently. Required to travel to courts across the Division to prosecute tax cases as and when required. Valid driver`s license is required.
DUTIES : To institute and conduct criminal proceedings on behalf of the State, to perform any act incidental thereto and to carry out the duties and functions assigned to
the prosecution under any Act and/or the Policy Manual and/or any directives, inter alia, to study case dockets, decide on the institution of and conduct
criminal proceedings of a complex nature. Prepare cases for court by inter alia guiding the investigation, consulting with witnesses and acquiring additional
evidence. Draft charge sheets and indictments. Deal with any representations.
Present the State’s case in court. Present evidence, cross-examine and address the court on inter alia, conviction and sentence. Study appeals and
reviews, prepare opinions and heads of argument for complex matters and argue cases in the appropriate court with right of appearance. Appear in court
in motion applications pertaining to criminal matters and in general conduct prosecutions on behalf of the State. Perform all duties, including administrative
duties and specific tasks assigned by the supervisor, related thereto in
accordance with the Code of Conduct, policy, and directives of the National
Prosecuting Authority. Supervise and manage performance of State
Advocate(s) (if so required). Conduct performance assessments of staff (if so required). Quality check work of Advocates. Mentor and guide Advocates,
prosecutors, and stakeholders. Assist in the keeping of proper records/statistics in relation to all criminal prosecutions conducted by the STU
and assist in compilation of statistics/reports. Middle management, including appeals, court rolls (under supervision) and office inspections. Managing of
allocated portfolio within STU. Assist Deputy Directors in high-profile matters or matters where an increased risk element is present. Promote partner
integration, community involvement and customer satisfaction in conjunction with partners in the criminal justice system.
ENQUIRIES : Rosette Swarts Tel No: (011) 220 4114
APPLICATIONS : e mail: Recruit2026220@npa.gov.za
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 25 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.