Legal Advisor

Job Title:

 

Legal Advisor

 

Area Organization: 

 

Division Legal Services

 

Department Description:

Division Legal ServicesLegal Advisor(Ref. RD/053/0218) Legal Services provides support to Stellenbosch University (SU) on an institutional as well functional level. The support service encompasses three main areas of responsibility, namely legal advice and support (including legal risk management), legal compliance and student discipline. The division reports to the Registrar. 

 

Duties

 

The Legal Adviser is appointed to assist the office of the Senior Director: Legal Services and to achieve this goal, the following duties are included:  General Legal Advice and support to the University Management and Staff, including: Dealing with enquiries that are directed to the office of the Senior Director;

Within a reasonable time, providing written and/or verbal feedback on enquiries received;

Serving on various task teams / committees to provide guidance on the impact and legal implications that may be relevant to the specific matter discussed by the task team;

Acting in the best interest of SU after considering all the interests, opinions and evidence at stake. Drafting and vetting legal documents: Vetting SU policies, regulations, management documents, rules and providing guidance about the implications of the document;

Providing commentary when it is requested and ensuring that the necessary corrections are made to the document to ensure that the SU’s interests are protected;

Ensuring that legal and other documents are aligned with legislation. Providing opinions: When requested, providing a thorough legal opinion about the impact, consequences and possible outcome of the situation;

These opinions must consider various views and outcomes to ensure that it reflects a thorough opinion that provides guidance on the approach that would be in the best interest of the SU. Liaising with external law firms and other internal and external stakeholders:Liaising with external law firms when SU is exposed to litigation;

Acting as internal link and managing the communication to ensure clear instructions are given;

Compiling a litigation report for submission to SU management.Managing legal risk: Identifying legal risk and managing it in consultation with stakeholders;

Drafting a policy and guidelines that will assist in managing legal risks;

Introducing new and evaluating existing controls to ensure that legal risks are reduced. General: Working in close relation with the Senior Director: Legal Services, as well as independently;

Assisting the Senior Director with exploring the higher education environment and acting as a link between the office of the Senior Director: Legal Services and other divisions;

From time to time, attending  consultations and discussions on behalf of the Senior Director: Legal Services and providing feedback on these  consultations and discussions to the Senior Director: Legal Services;

Drafting reports for the consideration of the Senior Director: Legal Services;

The legal adviser could be deployed in other roles in Legal Services should the need arise;

It may be required of the legal advisor to act as evidence leader during student disciplinary matters. Job Requirements/Pos VereistesLLB, or other relevant professional degree or qualification;

At least two years’ relevant legal experience after admission;

Knowledge of the relevant Higher Education issues, policies and legislation;

Admission as attorney (or similar professional registration) and appropriate postadmission experience;

Ability to work under pressure in a rapidly evolving environment that is client focused;

Fluent in English and Afrikaans with high levels of language proficiency;

Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word) and the Internet;

Ability to link with internal and external clients with proactive assessment to add value;

Ability to work independently as well as within a team context in the interests of the greater institution;

Ability to work with external service providers;

Excellent interpersonal skills. 

 

Recommendation

 

Knowledge of higher education as a regulatory environment will be regarded as an added benefit;

Experience of Risk Management will be considered an additional benefit.

 

How To Apply

 

The University willconsider a s in terms of its Employment Equity Plan, whichacknowledges the need to diversify the demographic composition of the staffcorps, especially with regard to the appointment of suitable candidates fromthe designated groups.TheUniversity reserves the right not to make an appointment.Your application,comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (includingthe names and email address of at least three referees), must reach theUniversity before or on the closing date of the advertised post.Apply online byusing the "Apply Now" link.

 

Candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selectioninstruments.The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conductbackground checks on all candidates.Should no feedback be received from the University within four weeks of the closingdate, kindly accept that your application did not succeed.

 

Enquiries

 

Enquiries regarding job content: Mr G Lipp on 021 808 2516 or glipp@sun.ac.za Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Service Centre on 021 808 2753 

 

Currency

 

ZAR

 

Commencement Date

 

01 Apr 2018

 

Closing Date

 

23 Feb 2018