National Legal Assistant

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Purpose of the Assignment 

The National Legal Assistant will support the Legal Expert of the EU Election Expert Mission to South Africa 2026 in examining the legal framework governing the elections and monitoring how election-related disputes are handled in practice. The role requires timely, accurate and impartial legal research, court monitoring and reporting throughout the electoral period.

Scope of Work

Legal Knowledge and Research

·  Maintain a current understanding of the South African judicial system, including the jurisdiction and procedures of courts and other bodies competent to hear election-related matters.

·  Develop detailed knowledge of the constitutional, legislative and regulatory framework governing the elections, together with other laws, regulations, codes and procedural rules relevant to the electoral process.

·  Identify and monitor amendments, regulations, directives, judgments and other legal developments that may affect the conduct of the elections.

·  Conduct research on previous electoral jurisprudence of South Africa if assigned by the Legal Expert.

Election Litigation

·  Together with the Legal Expert, monitor election-related complaints, applications, appeals and other review proceedings throughout the electoral period.

·  Obtain and review relevant pleadings, applications, written submissions, judgments, rulings and other official documents, subject to their lawful availability.

·  Attend, together with the Legal Expert, relevant court hearings and proceedings before competent electoral or administrative bodies.

·  Assist the Legal Expert in maintaining an accurate and up-to-date case tracker recording, as applicable, the parties, competent forum, subject matter, filing date, procedural stage, hearing dates, decisions and appeal status.

·  Follow up on pending complaints and appeals and promptly alert the Legal Expert to urgent proceedings, significant decisions or developments that may affect the electoral process.

·  Assist the Legal Expert in assessing whether proceedings comply with domestic law and relevant election standards.

·  After the Expert’s departure, continue to provide updates by email on pending or newly decided election-related court cases until the mission’s Final Report is published.

Coordination of Meetings

·  Arrange meetings requested by the Legal Expert with courts, election authorities, legal practitioners, civil society organisations and other relevant interlocutors.

·  Attend meetings with the Legal Expert, take accurate notes and prepare meeting records if requested.

·  Maintain professional working contacts with relevant institutions and legal professionals while respecting the mission's reporting lines and standards of impartiality.

Working Arrangements and Professional Conduct

·  Work under the direction of the Legal Expert and in accordance with the mission's methodology, reporting procedures and deadlines.

·  Maintain strict confidentiality concerning non-public information, interlocutors and mission documents.

·  Perform all duties with independence, impartiality, objectivity, accuracy and political sensitivity.

·  Disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest, including any current professional involvement in election-related proceedings or affiliation that could reasonably call the person's impartiality into question.

·  Refrain from making any public statements regarding the mission.

·  Remain available during periods of intensive activity, including outside normal working hours when court schedules or urgent electoral disputes require it, subject to the applicable contractual arrangements.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Essential Requirements

·  A university degree in law from a recognised institution.

·  Admission and current enrolment as a practising legal practitioner in South Africa, in good standing with the Legal Practice Council, together with membership of the Pretoria Bar or another recognised South African Bar association where applicable to the candidate's branch of the profession.

·  At least three years of relevant professional experience as a lawyer, including practical experience in legal research, litigation, court procedure or the handling of disputes.

·  Sound knowledge of the South African judicial system and the ability to analyse legislation, regulations, pleadings and judicial decisions.

·  Excellent written and spoken English, including command of legal terminology. Knowledge of one or more South African languages is an asset.

·  Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural team while maintaining impartiality, discretion and objectivity.

·  Strong computer skills, including proficiency in word processing and online legal research.

Desirable Experience

·  Experience in election litigation, electoral dispute resolution, or the monitoring of election-related court proceedings.

·  Previous work with an election observation mission, international organisation or comparable legal monitoring project.

-      Please send your application to paloma.garron@dt-global.com, before Friday October 2nd. When applying, please submit CV in EU format.

-      We thank all applicants for their interest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.