Job Description

The Director of the UFS Law Clinic provides strategic, operational, and professional leadership for the Clinic, ensuring its effective functioning as both a legal service provider and a clinical legal education environment. The incumbent manages the Clinic in a manner comparable to a law firm director or principal attorney, ensuring compliance with Legal Practice Council (LPC) requirements, supervision of attorneys and candidate attorneys, and the delivery of accessible, high-quality legal services to indigent clients while supporting the academic mission of the Faculty of Law.
KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.
Duties and responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Governance:

• Provide strategic direction for the UFS Law Clinic, aligned with the Faculty and University's strategic goals.
• Ensure compliance with the Legal Practice Act, LPC Rules, and UFS policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement business, operational, and financial plans to ensure sustainability and impact.
• Represent the Clinic in professional and institutional structures (Legal Aid SA, LPC, UFS governance committees, and community partners).

Legal and Professional Management:

• Oversee and manage the delivery of legal services in areas such as family law, labour disputes, housing, delict, and contractual matters.
• Supervise admitted attorneys, candidate attorneys, and legal interns, ensuring adherence to ethical and professional standards.
• Approve all pleadings, court documents, and legal opinions prepared under the Clinic's name.
• Manage case allocation, quality assurance, and professional development of legal staff.
• Maintain the Clinic's LPC registration and compliance documentation.

Academic and Training Support:

• Collaborate with academic staff in clinical legal education, integrating practical training into the LLB curriculum.
• Facilitate experiential learning for law students, ensuring alignment with prescribed learning outcomes.
• Participate in the development and delivery of lectures, workshops, and supervision sessions related to clinical practice.

Financial and Operational Oversight:

• Manage the Clinic's budget, including funding applications, donor relations, and Legal Aid SA grants.
• Oversee procurement, billing, recordkeeping, and reporting in line with UFS financial governance standards.
• Ensure compliance with risk management, data protection, and occupational health and safety requirements.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement:

• Build and maintain partnerships with the Legal Aid Board, courts, community organisations, and government agencies.
• Represent the Clinic in professional and public forums to enhance visibility and community trust.
• Promote pro bono partnerships and legal outreach initiatives that extend access to justice in the region.

Inherent Job Requirements

• An LLB degree on NQF Level 8.
• Admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa in good standing (attach proof).
• A minimum of six (6) years' post-admission legal experience, with at least four (4) years in a leadership or management role (e.g., director, senior attorney, or principal of a law firm).
• Demonstrated experience in clinical legal education, access to justice initiatives, or legal aid services.
• Proven record of staff supervision, financial management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Registration with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) (attach proof).
• Valid driver's license (attach a copy).

Recommendations

• Postgraduate qualification in Law, Management, or Higher Education (e.g., LLM/LLD, MBA).
• Experience in donor funding, grant management and partnership development.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and community service.
• Knowledge of university systems, academic governance and transformation imperatives.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including court appearances and community engagements.

Competencies
Key Competencies Required:

• Results Orientated:

- The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

• Strategic Thinking:

- The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

- In-depth knowledge of civil, family and labour law; litigation management; ethics and professional conduct.
- Proficient in using MS Office Suite, legal management software and digital filing systems.

• Leading:

- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building Coalitions:

- The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.
- The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Term of office:

• Contract appointment: Five (5) years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term.

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible
Closing date:
25 October 2025
Salary:
The salary scale is available on request.
Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.
Enquiries
For enquiries, please contact 051 401 9329 or email VermaakM@ufs.ac.za. In addition, kindly contact 051 401 9848 for assistance.
General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its employment equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups, including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at:
The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.
The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.
Additional Information

Skills Required