Director: Contract Management (P5) (Office of the General Counsel: Legal Office)

Job category: Education and Training

Campus: Auckland Park Kingsway Campus

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: EE

Level: Senior

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan institution, guided by its bold UJ Strategy 2035, which emphasises Societal Impact and Sustainability, Global Footprint and Partnerships, and Technology for the Future. Committed to transformative change, UJ's mission is "To transform and serve humanity through innovation and the collective and collaborative pursuit of knowledge." The University is guided by the vision of building "An international university of choice, anchored in Africa and the global south, dynamically shaping a sustainable future".

Note: the University is obligated, as per recent amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2021, to assess all prospective employees against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). The outcome of such an assessment may have an impact upon possible employment with the University.

Core Function/Duties:

• Independently consider, attend to the vetting of, provide comments and/or draft a wide variety of contracts across a wide range of disciplines within UJ ranging from commercial contracts (including but not limited to various construction contracts) to academic related contracts (including but not limited to intellectual property contracts) to mitigate legal risks for UJ.
• Draft bespoke, complex and template contracts from the ground up and, as such, must demonstrate exceptional drafting skills by producing high-quality contracts while consistently maintaining a high level of productivity.
• Provide legal advice in respect of contracts, commercial and corporate law matters.
• Engage with external stakeholders and clients regarding the contract development process, UJ policies and procedures and relevant legislation.
• Draft contract risk analysis, negotiation sheets and risk summaries.
• Rapidly determine key issues and any conflicts or disputes and deliver solutions to a wide range of challenging situations.
• Develop and draft a wide variety of UJ policies, drafting submissions for approval, and once adopted, manage the policies through implementation, creating training materials and providing training.
• Peruse tender documents and formulate tender conditions.
• Formulate and close out contractual claims.
• Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and provide clear communication and exceptional delivery.
• Explain complex information related to contract review process to others in straightforward situations.
• Identify and implement appropriate contractual risk and other risk management structures and procedures.
• Perform all functions in relation to contracts and legal advice on a software platform customized for the OGC.
• Draft, maintain and report on a weekly and monthly basis in respect of contract and commercial matters including data analysis within the OGC and to clients.
• Compile training materials and provide training in the contract development process, contract templates, UJ policies and procedures.
• Attend internal committee meetings, when required.
• Manage, mentor and provide guidance to junior employees.
• Attend to ad hoc strategic projects as required by the General Counsel.

Ancillary Functions/Duties:

• Provide ongoing legal advice to UJ in respect of all areas impacting UJ, including advice regarding any new legislation that could have an impact on UJ and its operations.
• Provide assistance in relation to general compliance and corporate governance.
• Assist, where required, with dispute resolution and litigation.
• Support key UJ entities such as the office of the Registrar, the COO, and the CFO.
• Create awareness and conduct training on legal provisions regulating particular portfolios and provide advice (e.g., IPR Act, POPIA, PAIA, PAJA and the Higher Education Act).
• Admitted Attorney or Advocate.
• LLB with more than twelve (12) years' post admission experience in legal practice or equivalent.
• Extensive experience and proficiency in Contract and Commercial Law.
• Extensive experience in the Law of Contract.
• Extensive negotiation experience to achieve contracts with mitigated legal risk through completion.

• Experience in relation to Higher Education Institutions would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of and experience in construction agreements (FIDIC, NEC, PROCSA and JBCC).
• Knowledge of and experience in Intellectual Property Law.
• Knowledge of Administrative and Public Law.

• The ideal candidate will be a motivated self starter possessing specific characteristics including excellent communication, high performance, ability to work under pressure, teamwork, adaptability, resilience, leadership, commercial acumen, project management, accountability, integrity, technological affinity, and time management.
• Exceptional analytical ability and attention to detail.
• Strong logical reasoning and persuasive communication.
• Sound fair judgment and ability to present arguments clearly.
• Commitment to UJ core principles of impact, integrity, inclusivity and innovation.
• Ability to adhere to and advance UJ's core principles, and produce quick turnaround times whilst maintaining quality.

In conjunction to merit on the basis of qualifications, experience and proven achievements, the University of Johannesburg is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and those individuals from historically disadvantaged groups. As necessitated by operational requirements, the University reserves the right not to make an appointment to positions advertised.

Please note that the University, as per recent amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2021, is obligated to assess all prospective employees against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO).