CHIEF DIRECTOR: LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

Department of Basic Education

Branch: Finance and Administration

Reference number: DBE/60/2026
Salary: R1 554 696 per annum, inclusive salary package
Centre: Pretoria
Province: Gauteng
Closing date: 17 August 2026
Circular: No 27 of 2026

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Requirements

An appropriate Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification (NQF level 7) recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA); Admission as an attorney or advocate in South Africa; The successful candidate must be in good standing with the relevant professional regulatory body. A minimum of 10 years’ relevant post-qualification legal experience, of which at least 5 years must be at senior managerial level; Experience in the interpretation, development, implementation and/or litigation of legislation, policies and regulations within the education sector or a comparable public sector environment; Demonstrable experience in education law, including experience in advising on, developing, interpreting or implementing education legislation, regulations or policy, is an essential requirement; Proven experience in constitutional law, administrative law, legislative drafting and regulatory development, public sector litigation and regulatory governance will be an advantage; Knowledge of Administrative law and constitutional law as applied to the education sector; Ability to deliver legal advisory services to government departments, public entities or statutory bodies. Process competencies: Knowledge management; problem-solving and analysis; client orientation and customer focus; communication; negotiation; stakeholder management; and risk management. Core Competencies The post requires a person with excellent Strategic capability and leadership; people management and empowerment; financial management; change management; programme and project management; and service delivery innovation. leadership and strategic management skills, Excellent written and verbal communication; Computer skills; Research and policy formulation; Presentation skills; Analytical and problem-solving skills; Candidates must be confident, trustworthy, accurate, adaptable and diplomatic.

Duties

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and management to the Chief Directorate: Legal and Legislative Services, comprising the Directorates: Litigation and Advisory Services and Legislative Services. Provide high-level, independent and practical legal advice to the Minister, Director-General and the Department on constitutional, administrative, education and public law matters. Managing and overseeing litigation involving the Minister, the Director-General and the Department, including the development of litigation strategy, the instruction of the State Attorney and external counsel, and the monitoring of court orders and settlements. Leading and overseeing the drafting, amendment, interpretation and implementation of education legislation, regulations and related legal instruments. Coordinating and monitoring the Department’s legislative programme and ensuring that proposed legislation and policy are constitutionally and legally sound. Providing legal support, where appropriate, to provincial education departments on matters affecting the national basic education system. Advising on the legal mandates, governance and administration of statutory bodies falling within the basic education portfolio. Drafting, reviewing and negotiating national and international agreements, memoranda of understanding and other legal instruments. Developing and maintaining systems for legal risk management, compliance monitoring and the implementation of legal opinions and court orders. Managing the Chief Directorate’s human, financial and operational resources and ensuring effective performance, accountability and service delivery.

Where to send your application

Submitted via post to: Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001 or hand-deliver to: The Department of Basic Education, 222 Struben Street, Pretoria or you can email your application Sechele.O@dbe.gov.za/Monyela.N@dbe.gov.za/Segowa.M@dbe.gov.za/Ku malo.N@dbe.gov.za Please visit the Department of Education’s website at www.education.gov.za

Enquiries

Ms N Monyela Tel No: (012) 357 3294/ Mr M Segowa Tel No: (012) 357 4291

Taken from Public Service Vacancy Circular 27 of 2026, published by the Department of Public Service and Administration on 31 July 2026. Open the PDF to check this post against the original. Last checked 31 July 2026.

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