LEGAL ADMINISTRATION OFFICER (MR5): MINING APPEALS

This position offers an opportunity to serve as a Legal Administration Officer within the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, based in Pretoria. The role is graded at MR5 under the Occupation Specific Dispensation, indicating a senior specialist level within the legal administration career stream. Although the title references mining appeals, the core focus of the role is the coordination and administration of appeals under relevant legislation and guidelines, with a specific emphasis on Oceans and Coasts-related matters. The incumbent will operate within the department’s legal services environment, supporting the Minister and the broader appeals process, and will need a solid grasp of public service procedures, legal administration, and the department’s internal policies.

Candidates must hold an LLB degree or an equivalent qualification recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority. A minimum of eight years’ post-qualification experience in the relevant legal field is required. The role demands extensive understanding of law administration, public service operations, and departmental procedures, as well as broad knowledge of strategic coordination, policy development, risk management, and audit processes. Applicants should also be familiar with project management facilitation, research methodologies, and presentation techniques. Strong reporting and professional writing skills, policy formulation ability, and negotiation skills are essential. The successful candidate must be able to gather and analyse information effectively, adhere to strict timelines, work with difficult individuals, and resolve conflicts constructively. A valid driver’s licence is a mandatory requirement.

The main duties involve coordinating and administering appeals in line with applicable legislation and guidelines, with a particular focus on Oceans and Coasts appeals. This includes receiving and responding to appeals-related queries from stakeholders, including appellants and applicants, and convening appeals committee meetings where the complexity of the appeal warrants such a gathering. The officer will attend to the filing of finalised appeals according to internal filing policies and guidelines, and will also coordinate and administer permitting appeals. A key responsibility is drafting ministerial submissions and appeal decisions for oceans and coastal appeals, ensuring that all grounds of appeal, responding statements, and line function comments are captured in a logical sequence within the decision. The role also requires preparing briefing notes for the Minister on appeal matters, providing general legal support, and supporting litigation on appeals by attending consultations with counsel and compiling the record.

The department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and preference may be given to appointable applicants from underrepresented designated groups in line with its equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications, identity documents, and driver’s licences before the interview, and will be subjected to screening and security vetting, including criminal record checks, citizenship status verification, creditworthiness assessment, reference checks, and qualification verification. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA at the applicant’s own responsibility. Correspondence is limited to successful candidates, and applicants who have not been contacted within three months of the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful. By applying, candidates consent to the processing of their personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act. This is a demanding but rewarding role for a legal professional seeking to contribute to environmental governance and administrative justice within a national government department.