LEGAL AID

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 

REF: NO/CFO/10/04/2026

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL OFFICE – BRAAMFONTEIN

Legal Aid SA is a National Public Entity; a key contributor to South Africa’s constitutional democracy, providing quality legal services to indigent and vulnerable persons. The organisation has a national footprint in all nine (9) provinces. Legal Aid SA is a credible employer of choice, boasting Top Employer SA accreditation for 17 consecutive years. We offer an exciting Employee Value Proposition with opportunities for development, career growth and an inspiring workplace.

Applications are invited from persons interested to fill the above-mentioned position. The incumbent will be appointed on a permanent basis.

 The position is based at the Legal Aid SA National Office in Johannesburg (Braamfontein).

KEY OUTPUTS

• Accountable for leading the Finance agenda within Legal Aid SA in support of the business strategy by providing fiscal leadership to the organisation.
• Oversee a business partnering model, supporting business priorities through the embedding of world-class financial management methodologies and achievement of functional integration where robust financial management is anchored in the DNA of the business.
• Participate as a member of the Executive Management Committee with a specific focus on financial management, governance and how financial resources are best leveraged to deliver the overall business objectives in a financially sustainable manner.
• Provide strategic support to the Accounting Officer, Executive Management and the Accounting Authority (Board) in the implementation of processes in the development of the Legal Aid SA Strategic Plan, MTEF, ENE and annual budgets.
• Develop, reinforce and implement strategies, programmes and systems that will give effect to the sound financial performance of the organisation.
• Lead the embedding and successful execution of common Legal Aid SA Financial Management policies, processes and practices and influence the appropriate application of organisation-wide standards of excellence in compliance with SA Standards of GRAP, the PFMA and other financial reporting standards and best practices.
• Take a leadership role within the organisation and act as a senior Financial Management business partner to the business, providing recommendations to strategically enhance the current and future financial performance of the organisation.
• Advise and support the Accounting Officer and Executive Management on the financial implications of business activities in the execution of their functions in terms of the PFMA and other relevant legislation.
• Build and execute a roadmap for how the Finance Department will continue to improve and provide value to the organisation.
• Develop a meaningful Financial Management Strategy that supports the organisation’s achievement of long-term objectives and manages and mitigates strategic financial risks.
• Raise the Financial Management banner within the organisation, through continuous improvement, functional excellence and business partnership.
• Manage and control expenditure to ensure that the organisation has a sound accounting and payments system to detect and prevent fraud and allow for accurate financial reporting.
• Preparation of the Annual Financial Statements and management of external audits.
• Introduce finance metrics that will guide leadership in measuring and managing organisational performance in relation to sustainable and efficient financial outcomes.
• Oversee the management of Finance Operations (Debtors (Accounts Receivable) and Creditors (Accounts Payable) Management, Fixed Assets Management, Supply Chain Management, Investment Management, Bank & Trust Fund Account Management, Payroll Management, Property Portfolio Management and Corporate Administration).
• Ensure the achievement of efficiencies, legislative compliance (PFMA, GRAP and other relevant legislation) and mitigation of operational risks.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTRIBUTES)

• Postgraduate qualification in Finance or Accounting studies.
• Ten (10) years of financial management experience in the professional services sector, of which at least five (5) years are as the CFO or equivalent.
• A Chartered Accountant (SA), currently registered with SAICA.
• A highly respected senior Finance Manager with broad and deep experience who has taken a leading role in driving world-class financial management processes across a national footprint or within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience within a public-funded entity is essential in assisting the incumbent to drive a good governance approach in compliance with the PFMA.
• King V Code on Corporate Governance.
• Strong knowledge of the core financial management disciplines and how to implement and leverage these within a complex business:
• Budgeting and Financial Reporting, Supply Chain Management, Debtors and Creditors Management, Fixed Assets Management, Cash Flow and Expenditure Management, Investment Management, Trust Fund Administration, Risk Management and Payroll Management.
• Able to create “functional integration” of the financial management function across a national footprint.
• Ability to benchmark operations and work with Senior Management to implement financial management best practices within the organisation.
• Able to partner with the core business to support the achievement of strategic objectives through effective financial management processes.
• Effective working relationship with the Executive Management Committee, Management Committee and Board.
• Ability to provide sound advice on governance and financial management to the Executive Management and Board.
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills and business acumen.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity, meet demanding deadlines and manage projects.
• Experience in building effective working relationships with the National Treasury and the Auditor-General of South Africa.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution is preferred.
• A sophisticated, analytically astute style that can broker collaboration and display judgment.
• Project management experience is essential.
• Business imperative.
• Multiple stakeholders at various levels of government, including the National Treasury and Parliament.
• Complexity in managing across boundaries and a national footprint.
• Managing with various levels of sophistication and decisiveness.
• Management of financial activities across a national matrix.
• Management of difficulties in driving the financial compliance imperatives in a decentralised environment.
• Management of and participation in multiple cross-functional teams.
• Integration across all business units.

SALARY PACKAGE: COMPETITIVE NEGOTIABLE REMUNERATION PACKAGE

A detailed curriculum vitae reflecting practical application of the position outputs and the required competencies as advertised must be submitted by close of business on 23 April 2026, quoting the reference number NO/CFO/10/04/2026 in the subject line to Recruit@legal-aid.co.za or apply online at www.legal-aid.co.za 

Applicants must replace the [at] with the @ symbol when sending an email. This will format the email address correctly for sending. It is displayed differently on our website as a cybersecurity protection measure.

Enquiries to Sinakho Mrwetyana, Tel: 011 877 2000

The employment decision shall be informed by the Employment Equity Plan of Legal Aid SA. It is Legal Aid SA’s intention to promote equity (race, gender and disability) through the filling of this post(s) with a candidate whose transfer/promotion/appointment will promote representivity in line with the numerical targets as contained in our Employment Equity Plan. Legal Aid SA reserves the right to withdraw posts or not to make an appointment, if by doing so, the interests of Legal Aid SA will be best served.

APPLICANTS NOT CONTACTED WITHIN TWO (2) MONTHS MAY CONSIDER THEIR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL.

PLEASE NOTE: Legal Aid SA will never charge you for submitting a job application.

FINANCIAL MANAGER – EXPENDITURE  

REF: NO/FIN/FME/10/04/2026

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL OFFICE – BRAAMFONTEIN (FINANCE DEPARTMENT)

Legal Aid SA is a National Public Entity; a key contributor to South Africa’s constitutional democracy, providing quality legal services to indigent and vulnerable persons. The organisation has a national footprint in all nine (9) provinces. Legal Aid SA is a credible employer of choice, boasting Top Employer SA accreditation for 17 consecutive years. We offer an exciting Employee Value Proposition (EVP) with opportunities for development, career growth and an inspiring workplace.

Applications are invited from suitable persons interested to fill the above-mentioned position. The incumbent will be expected to sign a performance contract. 

The position reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is based at the Legal Aid SA National Office in Johannesburg (Braamfontein). 

KEY OUTPUTS

• Develop, monitor and review departmental accounting policies, procedures and processes for submission to Management Exco and/or Board for approval as required.
• Ensure all Provincial Accountants and Finance staff are familiar with and implement all finance policies and procedures and maintain systems to ensure operational efficiency.
• Ensure that all actions of Legal Aid SA are compliant with legislation and regulations and that all statutory reporting and submission deadlines are complied with.
• Prepare monthly reports by collecting data, analysing and investigating variances; summarising data, information and trends.
• Ensure effective and efficient payment processing.
• Ensure administrative efficiency and effective control relating to the handling, routing and filing (physical or electronic) of incoming invoices and the assessment of practitioners’ accounts and the pre-checking of trade creditor accounts.
• Supervise any Accounts Payable, Payroll and Infrastructure staff.
• Ensure effective payroll administration, accurate and timeous payment of salaries and statutory payments.
• Effective and efficient management of infrastructure requirements for National Office.
• In-depth knowledge of Finance and how to implement and leverage these within a matrix business environment:
• Working knowledge of the PFMA, National Treasury Regulations, Legal Aid SA Act and other relevant Statutes,
• Functional ability in the utilisation of electronic systems and technologies.
• Able to create “functional integration” within the Finance Department, National Office Departments and Local Offices.
• Able to partner with the Finance Executive and Senior Management to support the achievement of strategic objectives through effective support of administrative processes.
• Effective working relationship with the Executive, Senior Management and within the Finance Department.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, management and leadership skills, business acumen and the ability to deal with ambiguity and meet demanding deadlines and manage projects.
• Financial and HR Management skills to manage the Expenditure Function within Legal Aid SA.

COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTRIBUTES) REQUIRED

• A recognised three (3) year tertiary qualification in Finance and/or Accounting (e.g., B Comm, with Accounting as a major). Honours degree/CTA is an added advantage.
• More than five (5) years of relevant work experience in Finance with a minimum of four (4) years’ experience in a middle management role within a complex organisation.
• Experience that would assist the incumbent in driving a service excellence mindset and building relationships within the organisation as a whole.
• A sophisticated collaborative style is advantageous.
• Project management experience is necessary, however, not essential.

SALARY PACKAGE: R1,266,714.00 per annum, including benefits

A detailed curriculum vitae reflecting the practical application of the position outputs and the required competencies as advertised must be submitted by close of business on 23 April 2026 by email, quoting the reference number NO/FIN/FME/10/04/2026 in the subject line to Recruit@legal-aid.co.za or apply online at www.legal-aid.co.za 

Applicants must replace the [at] with the @ symbol when sending an email. This will format the email address correctly for sending. It is displayed differently on our website as a cybersecurity protection measure.

Enquiries to Blanche Gouws, Tel: 011 877 2000

The employment decision shall be informed by the Employment Equity Plan of Legal Aid SA. It is Legal Aid SA’s intention to promote equity (race, gender and disability) through the filling of this post(s) with a candidate whose transfer/promotion/appointment will promote representivity in line with the numerical targets as contained in our Employment Equity Plan. Legal Aid SA reserves the right to withdraw posts or not to make an appointment, if by doing so, the interests of Legal Aid SA will be best served.

APPLICANTS NOT CONTACTED WITHIN TWO (2) MONTHS MAY CONSIDER THEIR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL.

PLEASE NOTE: Legal Aid SA will never charge you for submitting a job application.