PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN is a South African government vacancy at Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ). This job is part of Circular 17 of 2026 from the DPSA. closing date: 05 June 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Salary
R413 001 – R486 501 per annum (Level 08). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement. CENTRE KwaZulu Natal Local Division of The High Court: Durban
Requirements
- Applicants should be in possession of a three (3) year National Diploma / Degree in Library Science and information science studies or an equivalent qualification at NQF level 6 with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience in Library Service and Information Systems.
- A valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage.
- All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements.
- Knowledge and skills: Knowledge and experience of legal library environment as well as comparative research and international legal matters in South African as well as comparative and international legal matters, computer Literacy (MS Office, Power point, Outlook, Word, excel &
- Internet), report writing skills, research and planning skills, excellent communication skills (written and verbal), Interpersonal Relations and knowledge of Library OPAC systems.
Duties
- Monitor the collection, cataloguing and publications of Library materials within the Court, Identify and select the relevant material to be procured at Court Library in accordance with library policies and guidelines, assess the relevance and currency of the library collection and make recommendations for additions, removals, or updates, organise and catalogue legal materials to ensure easy retrieval by legal professionals, apply appropriate classification systems and metadata to enhance the accessibility of the collection and barcoding of Library material and soft copies (online resources), monitor serial publications, receiving of amendments and updating of loose-leaf subscriptions and binders, facilitate the submission of standing orders for the court, monitor the rendering of library and Information Services to Judiciary, monitor circulation desk services and helpdesk roster, implement digital tools and technologies to enhance information retrieval processes, keep updates on emerging technologies relevant to legal research and library management and integrate into the library's operations, monitor the digital resources, including electronic databases, legal research tools, and online subscriptions, facilitate interlibrary loans to ensure access to materials not available within the court's own collection, monitor the circulation handed down judgments both pdf and word version to Publishers and external stakeholders on request, ensure the circulation of finalised Judgments of interest to other Judges.
- Upload Monitor the usage of library information resources both hard copies, provide reference assistance and library awareness within the Court, provide reference assistance to judges, lawyers, court staff, and the public, provide support with legal research, citation verification, and locating relevant legal precedents, conduct training sessions for legal professionals on effective legal research methods and the use of legal database, keep legal professionals informed about recent developments in the law through newsletters, alerts, and other current awareness services, advocate for the importance of the library within the court system and promote awareness of its resources and services, coordinate and monitor effective Library Administration, coordinate Library Services staff meetings, provide support in the coordination of Library Committee meetings, provide support in the facilitation of online trainings by Juta, LexisNexis and Sabinet for Judges, Judges Secretaries, Registrars. and Law Researchers, monitor quarterly Budget allocations for the Library, coordinate and monitor the procurement process with Supply Chain Management for new purchases, monitor internal asset verification schedule and assets register, coordinate and monitor the disposal of approved Library publications for donations, supervise and develop staff, ensure general supervision of employees, allocate duties and perform quality control on the work delivered by officials, manage leave of staff, advise and lead supervisees with regard to all aspects of the work, manage performance, conduct and discipline of employees, ensure that all employees are trained and developed to be able to deliver work of the required standard efficiently and effectively, develop, implement and monitor work systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective functioning and address enquiries and provide advice and guidance on asset allocation and control.
Enquiries
Technical Related Enquiries: Mrs K Marais Tel No: (031) 492 4699 HR Related Enquiries: Ms SZ Mvuyana Tel No: (031) 493 1723
Applications
Where to send your application.
Applications can be sent via email to 2026/32/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
Department Notes
All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form, which can be downloaded on internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder. 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. All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical competency exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the Department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts. Prior to appointment for SMS, a candidate would be required to complete the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services as endorsed by DPSA which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG). The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. 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. Failure by the applicant to complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process. Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation considered. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. 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. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process. All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointment. The Office the Chief Justice complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Act No. 4 of 2013. We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event that your application was unsuccessful, the Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies. All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes. Failure to provide requested information will render your application null and void. The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process.
Notes
The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
SALARY : R413 001 – R486 501 per annum (Level 08). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.
CENTRE KwaZulu Natal Local Division of The High Court: Durban
REQUIREMENTS : Applicants should be in possession of a three (3) year National Diploma / Degree in Library Science and information science studies or an equivalent
qualification at NQF level 6 with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA. A minimum of two (2) years of experience in Library Service and Information
Systems. A valid driver’s license will serve as an added advantage. All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of
the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements. Knowledge and skills: Knowledge
and experience of legal library environment as well as comparative research and international legal matters in South African as well as comparative and
international legal matters, computer Literacy (MS Office, Power point,
Outlook, Word, excel & Internet), report writing skills, research and planning skills, excellent communication skills (written and verbal), Interpersonal
Relations and knowledge of Library OPAC systems.
DUTIES : Monitor the collection, cataloguing and publications of Library materials within the Court, Identify and select the relevant material to be procured at Court
Library in accordance with library policies and guidelines, assess the relevance and currency of the library collection and make recommendations for additions,
removals, or updates, organise and catalogue legal materials to ensure easy retrieval by legal professionals, apply appropriate classification systems and
metadata to enhance the accessibility of the collection and barcoding of Library material and soft copies (online resources), monitor serial publications,
receiving of amendments and updating of loose-leaf subscriptions and binders, facilitate the submission of standing orders for the court, monitor the rendering
of library and Information Services to Judiciary, monitor circulation desk services and helpdesk roster, implement digital tools and technologies to
enhance information retrieval processes, keep updates on emerging technologies relevant to legal research and library management and integrate
into the library's operations, monitor the digital resources, including electronic databases, legal research tools, and online subscriptions, facilitate interlibrary
loans to ensure access to materials not available within the court's own collection, monitor the circulation handed down judgments both pdf and word
version to Publishers and external stakeholders on request, ensure the circulation of finalised Judgments of interest to other Judges. Upload Monitor
the usage of library information resources both hard copies, provide reference assistance and library awareness within the Court, provide reference
assistance to judges, lawyers, court staff, and the public, provide support with legal research, citation verification, and locating relevant legal precedents,
conduct training sessions for legal professionals on effective legal research methods and the use of legal database, keep legal professionals informed
about recent developments in the law through newsletters, alerts, and other current awareness services, advocate for the importance of the library within
the court system and promote awareness of its resources and services, coordinate and monitor effective Library Administration, coordinate Library
Services staff meetings, provide support in the coordination of Library
Committee meetings, provide support in the facilitation of online trainings by
Juta, LexisNexis and Sabinet for Judges, Judges Secretaries, Registrars. and
Law Researchers, monitor quarterly Budget allocations for the Library, coordinate and monitor the procurement process with Supply Chain
Management for new purchases, monitor internal asset verification schedule and assets register, coordinate and monitor the disposal of approved Library
publications for donations, supervise and develop staff, ensure general supervision of employees, allocate duties and perform quality control on the
work delivered by officials, manage leave of staff, advise and lead supervisees with regard to all aspects of the work, manage performance, conduct and
discipline of employees, ensure that all employees are trained and developed to be able to deliver work of the required standard efficiently and effectively,
develop, implement and monitor work systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective functioning and address enquiries and provide advice
and guidance on asset allocation and control.
ENQUIRIES : Technical Related Enquiries: Mrs K Marais Tel No: (031) 492 4699 HR Related Enquiries: Ms SZ Mvuyana Tel No: (031) 493 1723
APPLICATIONS : Applications can be sent via email to 2026/32/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
NOTE : The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 17 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.