Director: Consumer Protection Reference Number : refs/057148

Requirements :

• University Degree in Law (NQF 7) Admission as an Attorney or Advocate in terms of the laws governing the legal profession in the Republic. Nyukela Certificate for entry into SMS (Senior Management Service) from the National School of Government submitted prior to appointment.
• 5 years of experience at a middle/senior managerial level in legal environment, preferably in areas or matters relevant to civil litigation, consumer protection/regulatory enforcement, complaints & investigations, compliance inspections, and stakeholder relations at middle management level. Code 08. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and interview.
• Following the technical exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo psychometric assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

Duties :

• Develop or review the departmental consumer protection strategies, policies, procedures and implementation frameworks aligned with provincial and national legislative requirements  Monitor compliance with applicable National and Provincial Consumer Protection legislation.
• Give advice on legislative related matters, including the development or review of consumer protection legislation and regulatory frameworks.  Monitor compliance of businesses and trade with applicable National and Provincial Consumer Protection legislation.
•  Oversee the implementation of new or amended consumer protection legislation and related transitional and operational arrangements within the Directorate.
• Manage complaints lodged and advise on appropriate action to be taken should a complaint fall outside the mandate of the office Report on the status of consumer complaints per business sector and/or industry including perceived consumer impacts and risks that may be harmful to the consumer and how these can be mitigated within the Province.
• Monitor and oversee the assessment, allocation, investigation, compliance monitoring and resolution of complaints against applicable turnaround times and performance standards. Analyse complaint and compliance monitoring outcomes to identify trends, including emerging trends and systemic consumer protection risks to inform corrective interventions.
• Oversee the referral of complaints to relevant regulatory bodies, tribunals, or enforcement authorities, where appropriate. Oversee the appropriate resolution, conciliation, settlement, referral and escalation of consumer matters. Manage the referral of unresolved consumer complaints to the Consumer Affairs Court  
• Assume statutory, delegated and other functions as may be assigned to the Consumer Protector  Oversee the issuing of prescribed pleadings , notices or other applications or document s .to persons responsible for unfair business practices / prohibited conduct or business conduct prejudicial to consumers
•  Ensure representation of the Consumer in unresolved consumer complaints before the Consumer Court  Facilitate , where appropriate, the enforcement of Consumer Court orders.
•  Review and facilitate the handling of reviews, appeals or other statutory remedies on administrative decisions taken. Engage with cluster Departments in the Province to leverage on Consumer Protection initiatives being implemented by various Departments with the intention to create an investor-friendly province through cohesive and structured consumer participation efforts  
• Represent consumers who may have been aggrieved by unfair business practices in the Consumer Affairs Court .Collaborate with the Communication Unit on Consumer Protection initiatives Engage with Provincial Consumer Protection and other Regulatory Authorities on Consumer Protection related issues.
• Facilitate appropriate referrals, coordination and joint interventions where consumer protection matters fall within or overlap with the mandates of other competent authorities. Perform strategic and operational planning. Manage stakeholder relationships. Oversee the administrative support functions. Perform people management functions. Perform financial management functions. Perform asset management functions.