Job Description

Job Title: Consultant: Legal (Customs & Excise Litigation)
Position Reports to: Senior Manager Customs Litigation
Division: Taxpayer Engagement
Location: Head Office (Gauteng) - Khanyisa Office
Advert Closing Date: 16 February 2026
About the Position
A new and exciting opportunity has arisen in the Litigation unit of the South African Revenue Service in the sub-unit Customs and Excise Litigation. The team deals primarily with customs and excise pre litigation and litigation matters against SARS in the international trade environment. You will be responsible to provide instructions and defend litigation in the form of appeals, review applications, declaratory applications and actions in the courts of South Africa. Identify legal risks and contribute to policy alignment. You will be contributing to the overall strategic objectives of SARS as well as being part of a team facilitating legitimate trade and addressing non-compliance with the domestic Customs and Excise legislation and other related legislation and legal instruments. No one will be the same.
Job Purpose
To research and prepare customs and excise pre-litigation and litigation matters involving complex and less complex interpretive or quantitative issues and adhere/contribute to internal governance processes.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF7) in Law, LLB AND 5-7 years' experience in a Customs and Excise field or International Trade Law environment, of which 2-3 years at technically skilled level.
Alternative Qualifications & Minimum Experience:
Senior Certificate (NQF4) AND 10 years in a Customs and Excise field or International Trade Law environment, of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level
Minimum Qualification & Experience Required
Bachelor's degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF7) in Law, LLB advantageous AND 5-7 years' experience in a Customs and Excise field or International Trade Law environment, of which 2-3 years at functional specialist level.
Job Outputs:
Process

• To prepare cases involving intricate interpretive or quantitative issues in the Magistrates Courts, Higher Courts, the SCA and the Constitutional Court, where applicable.
• To enter into settlement negotiations with taxpayers and their representatives.
• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures and associated area's practice.
• Accumulate information to report on work progress and use for decision making purposes 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.
• Execute specialists input through investigation and opportunities within the product process including risk concern
• Finalise legal matters by identifying facts, accessing relevant sources, analysis, application, advice and implementation of the course of action.
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.
• Perform operations in a specialised area to technical specifications and contribute to operational result delivery within predefined standards
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives
• Provide reports with recommendations applicable to area of specialisation.

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
• 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.

Skills Required