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MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY AGENCY (MDDA) - LEGAL OFFICER
MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY AGENCY (MDDA)
LEGAL OFFICER
DEPARTMENT: Office of the CEO
LOCATION: Head Office: Parktown, Johannesburg
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Permanent
PURPOSE STATEMENT
To assist the Legal Manager in effective and efficient management of Legal-Operations with special focus on administrative law, law of contract, labour law and any other operational related matters which includes providing legal opinions, attending and conducting legal related workshops, drafting of legal guidelines, conducting legal research, and providing organizational support to all business units within the Media Development and Diversity Agency.
POSITION IN THE ORGANISATION
2ND LINE MANAGER (2ND LEVEL): None
1ST LINE MANAGER (1ST LEVEL): Head of Legal Services
POSITION: Legal Officer
SUBORDINATE (1ST LEVEL): None
SUBORDINATE (2ND LEVEL): None
SUBORDINATE POSITIONS
Please provide job titles of subordinates and total number of employees per job title (organogram can be inserted)
JOB FUNCTIONS
1. To draft, track, monitor and manage contracts pertaining to grants/funding.
• Assist in ensuring contract close-out, extension or renewal.
• Monitor contract compliance with funding requirements from recipients
• Liaise recipient attorneys or recipient until consensus has been reached
• Maintain contractual records and documentation
• Assist in providing guidance on contract matters
• Assist in ensuring that signed contracts are communicated to all relevant parties to provide contract visibility and awareness, interpretation to support implementation
• Serve as the point of contact for customers on contractual matters.
• Ensure all contracts are devoid of omissions and MDDA interests are protected
• Draft legal documents.
2. To assist in ensuring regulatory compliance in alignment with statutory requirements.
• identifies legislation which impacts on the mandate of the MDDA and update the compliance matrix
• Assists in the development of monthly compliance checklist and sign off by unit managers
• Conducts analysis on deviations from statutory practices to be used as a basis for strategic interventions for management’s consideration.
• Monitors Service Level Agreement Compliance
3. To assist in providing legal research and legal advice in alignment with MDDA legal needs.
• Provides sound legal advice and opinions which is benchmarked on legal precedents to MDDA business units.
• Reviews and provides legal advice on all Public Finance Management Act and related issues, Contracts, Corporate Governance issues and related matters, advice and opinions on legislation and regulations
• Conducts proper risks analysis and identify triggering factors towards potential legal risks within business units.
▪ Provides legal protection and risk management plans.
• Advises and consults on Human Resources matters requiring legal intervention
• Undertakes in-house legal research, including preparation of documentation, for all cases likely to be subject to court action.
• Acts as first point of contact on all legal issues
4. To assist in minimising litigation cases against MDDA, both internally and externally.
• Provides feedback loop and communication mechanisms to track progress on and against litigation cases managed externally.
• Analyses cases against MDDA to maximise opportunity costs.
5. To manage and minimise dispute resolution to mitigate risk in MDDA, both internally and externally.
• Coordinates all administrative matters relating to the resolution of contractual disputes e.g.
a) Employment contractual issues
b) Supplier agreements.
• Coordinates required affidavits, briefing with attorneys, etc.
• Represents MDDA in court where appropriate, e.g. represents management at CCMA cases involving staff /contractual issues.
• Coordinates the management of disciplinary/grievance hearings at Stage 4 of the Grievance and/or Disciplinary Procedures that procedurally requires the intervention of the CEO or his/her nominee
• Prepares the appropriate documentation (including relevant charge) and the prosecution’s case, in consultation with attorneys as appropriate, in respect of all serious cases involving staff or grant recipients.
6. To provide support to MDDA sub-committee (induction, meetings and workshops) and training.
• Assist in ensuring support complies with all legislative requirements.
• Advice in conjunction with the MDDA’s head of legal, the Chief Executive Officer or other Executives, and the Board in respect of the legal matters, as required.
• Assist in compiling relevant reports, minutes, presentations, etc
JOB FUNCTIONS
1. To draft, track, monitor and manage contracts pertaining to grants/funding.
• Assist in ensuring contract close-out, extension or renewal.
• Monitor contract compliance with funding requirements from recipients
• Liaise recipient attorneys or recipient until consensus has been reached
• Maintain contractual records and documentation
• Assist in providing guidance on contract matters
• Assist in ensuring that signed contracts are communicated to all relevant parties to provide contract visibility and awareness, interpretation to support implementation
• Serve as the point of contact for customers on contractual matters.
• Ensure all contracts are devoid of omissions and MDDA interests are protected
• Draft legal documents.
2. To assist in ensuring regulatory compliance in alignment with statutory requirements.
• identifies legislation which impacts on the mandate of the MDDA and update the compliance matrix
• Assists in the development of monthly compliance checklist and sign off by unit managers
• Conducts analysis on deviations from statutory practices to be used as a basis for strategic interventions for management’s consideration.
• Monitors Service Level Agreement Compliance
3. To assist in providing legal research and legal advice in alignment with MDDA legal needs.
• Provides sound legal advice and opinions which is benchmarked on legal precedents to MDDA business units.
• Reviews and provides legal advice on all Public Finance Management Act and related issues, Contracts, Corporate Governance issues and related matters, advice and opinions on legislation and regulations
• Conducts proper risks analysis and identify triggering factors towards potential legal risks within business units.
▪ Provides legal protection and risk management plans.
• Advises and consults on Human Resources matters requiring legal intervention
• Undertakes in-house legal research, including preparation of documentation, for all cases likely to be subject to court action.
• Acts as first point of contact on all legal issues
4. To assist in minimising litigation cases against MDDA, both internally and externally.
• Provides feedback loop and communication mechanisms to track progress on and against litigation cases managed externally.
• Analyses cases against MDDA to maximise opportunity costs.
5. To manage and minimise dispute resolution to mitigate risk in MDDA, both internally and externally.
• Coordinates all administrative matters relating to the resolution of contractual disputes e.g.
a) Employment contractual issues
b) Supplier agreements.
• Coordinates required affidavits, briefing with attorneys, etc.
• Represents MDDA in court where appropriate, e.g. represents management at CCMA cases involving staff /contractual issues.
• Coordinates the management of disciplinary/grievance hearings at Stage 4 of the Grievance and/or Disciplinary Procedures that procedurally requires the intervention of the CEO or his/her nominee
• Prepares the appropriate documentation (including relevant charge) and the prosecution’s case, in consultation with attorneys as appropriate, in respect of all serious cases involving staff or grant recipients.
6. To provide support to MDDA sub-committee (induction, meetings and workshops) and training.
• Assist in ensuring support complies with all legislative requirements.
• Advice in conjunction with the MDDA’s head of legal, the Chief Executive Officer or other Executives, and the Board in respect of the legal matters, as required.
• Assist in compiling relevant reports, minutes, presentations, etc
JOB EVALUATION CRITERIA
A) KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
FORMAL EDUCATION
• Matric (Essential)
• Degree in Law – LLB (Essential)
• Admitted as an Attorney (Essential)
EXPERIENCE
• 3 - 4 years in the legal field (Essential)
• 2 years legal experience as an attorney (Essential)
• Experience in the Media Sector (advantageous)
COMPETENCIES
KNOWLEDGE
Legal research
Understanding on law of contracts, Civil and Criminal matters
Relevant legislation
Understanding of market, current Media and legal issues.
Understanding on labour and dispute resolution.
SKILLS
Administrative
Advanced communication
Advanced interpersonal
Advanced writing
Planning
Problem solving
Relationship management
Strategic decision making
ATTITUDES
Ethical
Fair
Independent
Lateral thinking
Open mindedness
Deadline driven
Decisive
Dedicated
Analytical
Assertiveness
OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• None
JOB EVALUATION CRITERIA
A) KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
FORMAL EDUCATION
• Matric (Essential)
• Degree in Law – LLB (Essential)
• Admitted as an Attorney (Essential)
EXPERIENCE
• 3 - 4 years in the legal field (Essential)
• 2 years legal experience as an attorney (Essential)
• Experience in the Media Sector (advantageous)
COMPETENCIES
KNOWLEDGE
Legal research
Understanding on law of contracts, Civil and Criminal matters
Relevant legislation
Understanding of market, current Media and legal issues.
Understanding on labour and dispute resolution.
SKILLS
Administrative
Advanced communication
Advanced interpersonal
Advanced writing
Planning
Problem solving
Relationship management
Strategic decision making
ATTITUDES
Ethical
Fair
Independent
Lateral thinking
Open mindedness
Deadline driven
Decisive
Dedicated
Analytical
Assertiveness
OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• None
Suitably qualified and experienced candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive CV, together with a covering letter and at least 3 contactable references to recruitment@mdda.org.za.
The closing date for all vacancies is 10 March 2022.
For further enquiries please contact Ms. Thuli Mazibuko at the MDDA offices at (011) 643 1100.
PLEASE NOTE: Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not heard from us within 30 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful. Only applicants who are interviewed will be advised on the outcome of their applications. Successful candidates will be expected to sign performance contracts. It is the responsibility of candidates with foreign qualifications to have their qualifications verified by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). MDDA is committed to employment equity policies, promoting equity, and equal opportunity employment. Appointment is subject to appropriate reference checks and verification of information provided. The MDDA is under no obligation to fill the position after advertising it and reserves the right to not make an appointment. Although advertised, it may thus either be withdrawn or re-advertised.