The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for senior management and legal vacancies closing on 11 August 2026. These opportunities are suitable for experienced professionals in law, public administration, litigation, state legal services, ICT leadership, institutional development, family advocacy and estate administration.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Department of Justice and Constitutional Development |
| Closing Date | 11 August 2026 |
| Location | Pretoria, East London, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Mahikeng, Kimberley, Mthatha and Port Elizabeth |
| Application Method | Online form, post or hand delivery |
| Required Form | New Z83 application form |
| Required Documents | Fully completed and signed Z83, comprehensive CV and copies of educational qualifications |
| Online Application Link | https://forms.office.com/r/X2XaVPasWu |
Director-General Ref No: 26/18/DG
Contract: Five-year fixed-term contract
Salary: R2 446 749 – R2 756 241 per annum, Level 16, all-inclusive package, plus 10% non-pensionable allowance for Heads of Departments
Centre: National Office, Pretoria
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 8 qualification recognised by SAQA in Law, Public Administration, Public Management, Business Administration or a related field.
Admission as an Attorney or Advocate will be an added advantage.
Applicants must have at least ten years’ experience at senior managerial level, with substantial experience at executive leadership level in a large and complex organisation.
Applicants must have proven experience in organisational transformation, strategic planning, institutional performance, governance, financial management, policy development and stakeholder management.
Executive leadership experience within the Public Service will be an advantage.
Duties
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and overall management of the Department to ensure effective administration of justice and implementation of its constitutional and legislative mandate.
Duties include overseeing legislation, legal services, policy reform, court administration services, the Integrated Criminal Justice System, vulnerable groups programmes, Master’s Services, Family Law Services, State legal advisory services and litigation services.
The successful candidate will also ensure effective financial management, strategic planning, governance, risk management, internal audit, organisational performance, transformation, regulatory compliance and strategic partnerships.
Solicitor-General Ref No: 26/20/SG
Contract: Five-year fixed-term contract
Salary: R2 446 749 – R2 756 241 per annum, Level 16, all-inclusive package
Centre: National Office, Pretoria
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 8 qualification in Law as recognised by SAQA.
Admission as an Advocate or Attorney with right of appearance in the High Court of South Africa is essential.
Applicants must have at least ten years’ experience at senior managerial level.
Extensive experience in litigation and previous experience in high-profile litigation cases will be an added advantage.
Duties
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, governance oversight and national coordination of litigation involving the State.
Duties include overseeing civil litigation across all State Attorney Offices, developing national litigation strategies, managing contingent liabilities and financial risks, monitoring compliance with court orders and leading national litigation policy and legal reform initiatives.
The successful candidate will also promote sound governance, ethical conduct, transparency, consequence management and the transformation and professionalisation of litigation services.
Chief State Law Adviser Ref No: 26/23/OCSLA
Salary: R1 885 710 – R2 124 237 per annum, Level 15, all-inclusive package
Centre: National Office, Pretoria
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 8 qualification in Law as recognised by SAQA.
Admission as an Advocate or Attorney in the High Court of South Africa is essential.
Applicants must have extensive knowledge of Bills, legislation, legislative drafting, certification processes, legal advisory services, public and international law, public administration, government decision-making processes and the regulatory framework governing the Public Service.
Duties
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the certification and drafting of Bills.
Duties include providing preliminary legal opinions, supporting the parliamentary process, scrutinising subordinate legislation, providing legal advice to Government departments and organs of state and overseeing international agreements.
The successful candidate will also manage the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser, including strategic planning, operational performance, risk management, audit compliance, financial management and resource utilisation.
Chief Master Ref No: 26/19/MFS
Salary: R1 885 710 – R2 124 237 per annum, Level 15, all-inclusive package
Centre: National Office, Pretoria
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 8 qualification recognised by SAQA in Financial Management, Business Management, Law or a related field.
Admission as a Chartered Accountant will be an added advantage.
Applicants must have at least eight years’ experience at senior management level, with extensive expertise in deceased estates, insolvency, trusts or regulatory governance.
Extensive experience in managing large-scale funds will be an added advantage.
Duties
The successful candidate will provide strategic national regulatory oversight of all Masters’ Offices.
Duties include overseeing deceased estate administration, insolvent estate administration, trust registration, Guardian’s Fund administration, curatorships, fiduciary services, policy development, legislative reform and Family Advocate Services.
The successful candidate will also manage strategic partnerships, governance, risk management, financial management, human resources and digital enablement within the Branch.
Deputy Director-General: Institutional Development and Support Ref No: 26/21/IDS
Salary: R1 885 710 – R2 124 237 per annum, Level 15, all-inclusive package
Centre: National Office, Pretoria
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 8 qualification recognised by SAQA in Public Administration, Public Management, Administration, Law, Governance, Social Sciences or a related field.
Applicants must have eight years’ experience at senior management level in public administration within a large and complex organisation.
Applicants must have extensive knowledge of the PFMA, Public Service legislative framework, organisational performance management, strategic planning, institutional governance, human resource management and public administration.
Duties
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for justice policy coordination, entity oversight and Justice Cluster governance.
Duties include leading justice education, professional development, research, innovation, knowledge management, strategic planning, organisational performance management, communication, media relations, legal services, litigation management, contract management and legal governance.
Deputy Director-General: Information Communication Technology Services Ref No: 26/22/ICT
Salary: R1 885 710 – R2 124 237 per annum, Level 15, all-inclusive package
Centre: National Office, Pretoria
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 8 qualification recognised by SAQA in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Informatics, Engineering, Business Information Systems or a related ICT field.
Applicants must have at least eight years’ experience at senior management level in an ICT environment.
Applicants must have extensive knowledge of ICT governance, ICT strategy, enterprise architecture, information security, digital transformation, ICT operations, applications development, infrastructure management, systems integration, service management and Government ICT policies.
Duties
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership for the Department’s ICT strategy and digital transformation programme.
Duties include leading ICT governance, enterprise architecture, ICT planning, ICT operations, infrastructure, networks, applications, information management, customer support, cybersecurity, ICT risk management, business continuity and disaster recovery.
State Attorney Ref No: 139/26/EC and 2026/67/GP
Posts: 2
Salary: R1 554 696 – R1 858 821 per annum, Level 14, all-inclusive package
Centres: East London and Pretoria
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 7 qualification in Law or LLB as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have at least six years’ experience at senior managerial level.
Admission as an Attorney is required.
Administrative experience is required.
Duties
The successful candidate will manage and coordinate strategic and annual performance plans.
Duties include representing Government in legal and litigation matters, managing debt collection, conveyancing and notarial services, drafting legal opinions and contracts, complying with Solicitor-General standards and providing people management.
Master of the High Court Ref No: 2026/61/GP, 25/19/FS and 2026/19/GP
Posts: 3
Salary: R1 317 384 – R1 551 807 per annum, Level 13, all-inclusive package
Centres: Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 7 qualification in Law, LLB or a legal equivalent qualification as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have five years’ experience at middle or senior managerial level.
Applicants must be admitted as an Advocate or Attorney with right of appearance at the High Court.
Duties
The successful candidate will manage Guardian’s Fund implementation, deceased estates, curatorship, trust registration, insolvencies, service point operations and human, financial and other resources.
Senior Family Advocate Ref No: 2026/28 GP and 132/26/EC
Posts: 2
Salary: R1 242 915 – R1 934 208 per annum, structured according to OSD rules
Centres: Pretoria and East London
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 7 qualification in Law or LLB as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have at least eight years’ appropriate post-qualification litigation experience.
Applicants must be admitted as an Advocate and have the right of appearance in the High Court of South Africa.
A valid driver’s licence is required.
Duties
The successful candidate will execute the mandate of the Office of the Family Advocate and perform all functions of the Senior Family Advocate as Head of Office.
Duties include managing service delivery, performance information, complex enquiries, training, mentoring, coaching, risk management and audit compliance.
Senior Assistant State Attorney LP5-LP6
Posts: 18
Salary: R655 854 – R1 508 337 per annum, structured according to OSD rules
Centres and References: Johannesburg Ref No: 2026/33/GP, Bloemfontein Ref No: 26/30/FS, Pretoria Ref No: 2026/28/GP, Mahikeng Ref No: 26/VA46/NW, Kimberley Ref No: 26/VA46/NC, Cape Town Ref No: 49/2026/WC and Durban Ref No: 26/30/KZN
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 7 qualification in Law or LLB as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have at least four years’ appropriate post-qualification legal or litigation experience.
Applicants must be admitted as an Attorney.
A valid driver’s licence is required.
Conveyancing experience will be an added advantage.
Duties
The successful candidate will represent the State in litigation and appeals at the High Court, Magistrates’ Courts, Labour Courts, Land Courts, Land Claims Courts, CCMA, Tax Court and tribunals.
Duties include providing legal advice, drafting agreements, handling liquidation and insolvency matters, conveyancing, notarial services, arbitration, trust registration, debt collection and people management.
Assistant State Attorney LP3-LP4
Posts: 29
Salary: R392 625 – R1 074 222 per annum, structured according to OSD rules
Centres and References: East London Ref No: 131/26/EC, Port Elizabeth Ref No: 130/26/EC, Bloemfontein Ref No: 26/24/FS, Pretoria Ref No: 2026/27/GP, Mahikeng Ref No: 26/VA47/NW, Mthatha Ref No: 132/26/EC, Johannesburg Ref No: 2026/29/GP, Durban Ref No: 26/31/KZN and Cape Town Ref No: 50/2026/WC
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 7 qualification in Law or LLB as recognised by SAQA.
Applicants must have a four-year recognised legal qualification.
Admission as an Attorney is required.
Applicants must have at least two years’ appropriate post-qualification legal or litigation experience.
A valid driver’s licence is required.
Duties
The successful candidate will handle litigation and appeals in the High Courts, Magistrates’ Courts, Labour Courts, Land Claims Court and CCMA.
Duties include drafting and settling agreements, rendering legal opinions and advice, handling arbitration, interdepartmental arbitration, debt collection and people management.
How to Apply
Applicants must quote the relevant reference number and submit applications using the official application link, by post or by hand delivery.
To apply and access more details, visit the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development application form.
Applications may also be posted to:
The Human Resources
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Private Bag X81
Pretoria
0001
Hand delivery applications may be submitted to:
Application Box
First Floor Reception
East Tower
Momentum Building
329 Pretorius Street
Pretoria
A separate application must be submitted for each position, quoting the relevant reference number.
Important Notes for Applicants
The closing date is 11 August 2026.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Applications must be submitted on the new Z83 form, effective from 1 January 2021.
The Z83 form must be fully completed and signed.
Applicants must cite the correct post number and job title.
Applications must include a comprehensive CV with start and end dates, job titles, detailed duties performed, exit reasons for each employment period and details of three contactable employment references.
Applicants must include copies of educational qualifications.
Applicants with foreign qualifications must submit evaluated results from the South African Qualifications Authority.
All shortlisted candidates will undertake two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an integrity assessment.
Shortlisted candidates for SMS positions will be subjected to a technical exercise and interview.
A maximum of three SMS candidates may undergo psychometric assessment.
Suitable candidates will be subjected to pre-employment screening and suitability checks, including credit, criminal, citizenship, qualification, employment, pending disciplinary action and professional registration verification.
Candidates for Senior Management Service positions must successfully complete the Nyukela Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services course.
Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
The Department reserves the right not to make an appointment.
The Department is committed to equal opportunities and affirmative action employment.