Legal and Policy Analyst (One Year Fixed Contract)

Legal and Policy Analyst (One Year Fixed Contract)

ISASA is the largest and most inclusive independent schools’ association in Southern Africa, with 920 diverse member schools. These schools serve a wide range of different socio-economic, religious and cultural communities. They offer a variety of curricula and philosophical approaches at all levels of schooling. Low-fee independent schools serving less advantaged communities are a fast-growing category of ISASA’s members. All members are evaluated before joining the association, and are quality assured every six years.

The mission of ISASA is to:

• promote the value of independent education;
• represent and protect the common interests of its members;
• provide professional services that will enhance member school quality;
• assist in their sustainability; and
• contribute to the public good.

A Legal and Policy Analyst is a member of the ISASA Legal and Policy Team and reports to the Director: Legal, Policy and Government Relations.

The Legal and Policy Analyst is responsible for:

• Providing first-line legal and policy advisory services to ISASA member schools.
• Responding to legal and policy queries from ISASA member schools.
• Providing first-line legal and policy monitoring for the ISASA Legal and Policy Team to ensure ISASA stays abreast of policy developments.
• Providing research support to the Legal and Policy Team and ISASA.
• Producing first drafts of legal and policy documents, eg. Memoranda as well as Legal and Policy Bulletins to ISASA member schools.
• Preparing documents, presentations and reports, as assigned by the Director: Legal, Policy and Government Relations or the Executive Director.
• Undertaking special projects, as assigned.

The successful applicant will:

• Have an undergraduate degree in Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce or a relevant field.
• Be an admitted attorney or advocate (having served pupillage), of the High Court.

In addition, they will have:

• At least 1 years’ post articles or pupillage experience in legal practice.
• Knowledge of education and related policies.
• Very good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to undertake in-depth written work.
• Relevant information technology (IT) skills required for conducting web-based research.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently.
• Ability to multi-task and pay attention to detail.
• A willingness to work outside working hours in order to complete tasks and meet deadlines.
• Interest in the independent schooling sector, as well as an understanding of general education policy trends is necessary.

As an added advantage:

• Experience of interacting with government and/or statutory bodies.

The one-year fixed term contract appointment is planned for Monday, 6 January 2025 or earlier.

Remuneration package is competitive and negotiable in line with the successful applicant’s skills and experience. ISASA reserves the right not to make an appointment.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 11 October 2024. Please send a brief curriculum vitae and a one-page covering letter setting out your interest in, and suitability for, the post. Please also include three referees and their contact details to Maria Mhlongo, at the email address apply@isasa.org. Should you not hear anything from ISASA by the end of October 2024, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Closing Date: 11/10/2024

Location: 16 St David Rd, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa