SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SALGA)

 

 

 

LEGAL ADVISOR

(24 months Fixed Term Contract)

Based in National Office (Pretoria), Ref: 26/05/08

Inter-Governmental Relations () & Municipal Resilience Cluster

Remuneration package: A competitive salary package with benefits

 

Our promise to our employees is to give them an opportunity to grow their careers through experiences and connections that inspire them to make an impact 

 

ROLE OVERVIEW 

Reporting to the Senior Manager: External Legal Services, the Legal Advisor is responsible for providing and facilitating legal advisory services in support of municipalities. The incumbent coordinates legal advisory services to ensure that SALGA execute its legal support and advisory role to municipalities. The incumbent co-ordinates and facilitates external legal work of the organization including liaison with external legal practitioners, government departments, municipalities and other stakeholders.



 


THE CANDIDATE PROFILE 

■ Ability to operate in a multidisciplinary environment 

■ Ability to write legal opinions and provide sound legal advisory services 

■ Understanding of the South African Local Government environment 

■ Excellent knowledge of South African legislation including the Constitution 

■ Ethical professional that places a high premium on integrity and confidentiality 

■ Knowledge of legislation governing the public sector and local government and interpretation thereof 

■ Understanding of cyber law / information technology related legislation 

■ Understanding of Intergovernmental Relations Framework and related legislation 

■ Understanding of corporate governance and legal compliance regulations 

.. High Court and Constitutional Court litigation experience 

Trial advocacy and litigation experience 

■ Advanced understanding of the local government sector from a business and legal perspective 

■Culture fit: SALGA desires an individual who will share and buy-in, in our core values, mission and vision, demonstrating a commitment to our ethos beyond just doing the job 

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

■ Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree (essential/minimum) 

■ Admission as an Attorney will be advantageous 

■ At least five years of experience in legal services, of which at least two(2) years should have been specifically in the local government sector 

■ A valid Code 08 drivers’ license and own vehicle 

■ Proven track-record in successful lobbying and advocacy of critical issues 

■ Previous experience in a multidisciplinary unit is essential 

■ Experience in drafting legal opinions. 

. High court litigation experience.

 

KEY PORTFOLIO AND PERFORMANCE FOCUS AREAS 

■ Legal Advisory Services: Provide legal support to municipalities and oversee, co-ordinate and facilitate the sourcing of expert legal opinions and the outsourcing of legal support services. · Draft legal opinions for approval by the Senior Manager: External Legal Services. · Communicate with external parties (external counsel, service providers, etc.) in respect of drafting legal documentation. · Collaborate with clusters to effectively assess and communicate the implications of legal and regulatory requirements on municipalities. · Comment on the drafting of various pieces of legislation affecting local government as part of Parliamentary processes. · Establish and maintain a relationship with member municipalities’ legal practitioners in dealing with legal matters affecting municipalities. · Play an advocacy and lobbying role on behalf of municipalities. · Provide advice and guidance on the development of effective, professional and sustainable legal approaches and conducting research on legal case studies and legal precedents to manage legal implications and risks on behalf of member municipalities. · Liaise with municipalities in respect of application in terms of Access to Information Act and legal implications for disclosure including rights of third parties. · Give timely feedback to municipalities on various legal matters. · Interpret Statute and Legislation. · Assist municipalities to ensure the correct decisions based on sound legal and policy principles 

■ Draft and Manage Legal Documents: Oversee litigation from beginning to end in consultation with the Senior Manager. Draft legal opinions and provide legal support to municipalities. · Draft legal documents. · Provide draft comments on pieces of legislation affecting local government. · Provide legal opinions and support to member municipalities. · Drafting legal documents in respect of external legal. · Assist member municipalities with vetting of legal documents as and when required. · Keep abreast of legislative changes and National Government requirements with respect to access to information and formulating methodologies/ policies dictating procedural legal applications for consideration and approval 

■ Legal Research: Comb and scrutinise through laws and legal articles to find facts and precedents that support legal opinions; Read through legal documents to ensure correctness; Summarise findings and court orders in writing; Use the Law Library and other platforms to undertake legal research and update case law for the benefit of municipalities. 

■ Reporting: Draft reports or briefs on legal or legal policy. · Research applicable legislation and principles relating to the legal document in question, achieving compliance. · Draft various legal communications based on information provided, with proper consideration to legal implications of a response. · Interpret situational and contextual issues and researching relevant topics to enable the preparation of legal documentation. · Analyse the adequacy of current legal approaches, submits reports supporting specific provisions associated with External Legal Advisory Services interventions.

 

 

Suitably qualified and experienced candidates must apply on the link below:

 

Closing Date: 01 June 2026 

 

NOTE: Communication will be limited to short-listed candidates only. SALGA reserves the right not to proceed with the appointment for any of the vacant position. All appointments will be made in line with the SALGA’S Employment Equity Plan

 

PLEASE APPLY HERE