Consultant: Legal (Centralised Litigation Unit)

About the Position

SARS is looking for an experienced, dynamic individual, competent, self-driven, with a high level of integrity and discretion who is result driven and risk vigilant lawyer.  He/she should possess good legal research, facilitation of the dispute process, negotiation and drafting skills and must thrive in a busy and demanding working environment. The applicant will be sitting in corporate governance committees and should be able to take objective decisions. He/she must be a team player with good listening skills, respect ideas and aim to improve the product or process at hand.  He/she must also be capable of executing his/her duties with enthusiasm and a good comprehension of the law as well as a capability within SARS to achieve its strategic intent of Voluntary Compliance by making it easy for compliant taxpayers and traders, hard & costly for non-compliant taxpayers & traders.

Job Purpose

To provide legal advice and support to SARS operations divisions, to engage in litigation, under supervision, in support of SARS tax collections initiatives. To provide the full suite of in-house counsel support to SARS operational arms inclusive of and where required appear in court

Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7), BProc or LLB Degree (NQF 7) AND 5-7 years Legal, SARS Tax, Litigation administration and or Administration experience at a Junior Legal Consultant level.

Admitted Attorney

#Alternatively

Senior Certificate (NQF4) AND 2-3 years Legal, SARS Tax, Litigation administration and or Administration experience at a Junior Legal Consultant level.

Completion of Practical Legal Training.

Successful completion of Attorneys Admission Exams preferable. Some experience or exposure in a Legal and Tax environment.   

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• LLB or BProc Degree (NQF 7)


• 5-7 years Legal, SARS Tax, Litigation administration and or Administration


• Alternatively, 2-3 Legal, SARS Tax, Litigation administration and or Administration experience as a Junior Legal Consultant level.


• Completion of Practical Legal Training. Successful completion of Attorneys Admission Exams preferable.


• Some experience or exposure in a Legal and Tax environment.  

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Basic Project Management Skills


• Basic people management skills


• Understanding of SARS operations


• Understanding of court processes


• Ability to prepare a matter for court


• Experienced presentation skills


• Basic experience with tax law

Job Outputs:

• Legal Drafting


• Legal Research and the provision of opinions


• Preparation of cases for court


• Representation of cases in court


• Preparation and presentation of matters to various SARS committees


• Legal report writing


• Briefing and managing external attorneys and counsel


• Litigation planning

Process

• Finalise legal matters by identifying facts, accessing relevant sources, analysis, application, advice and implementation of the course of action.


• Perform operations in a specialised area to technical specifications and contribute to operational result delivery within predefined standards.


• Provide reports with recommendations applicable to area of specialisation.


• Accumulate information to review work progress that provides input to reporting, decision making and the identification of improvement opportunities.


• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.


• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.


• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.


• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects in order to solve emerging problems.


• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.

Governance

• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity and ethics processes within area of specialisation.


• Ensure that completed work adhere to relevant policies, procedures, governance and legislative requirements and report on deviations & discrepancies

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.


• Search for, integrate and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.


• Provide authoritative, specialist services, expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability


• Analytical Thinking


• Attention to Detail


• Commitment to Continuous Learning


• Conceptual Ability


• Customer Service


• Expertise in Context


• Fairness and Transparency


• Honesty and Integrity


• Organisational Awareness


• Problem Solving and Analysis


• Respect


• Trust

Technical competencies

• Business Knowledge


• Data Collection and Analysis


• Dispute Resolution


• Effective Business Communication


• Efficiency Improvement


• Functional Policies and Procedures


• General Advisory and Litigation


• Legal Advisory and Interpretation


• Legal Knowledge and knowledge of ethics


• Reporting

Compliance Competency

• GOC Confidential

Employment Equity

The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.