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Office of the Chief Justice

Principal Librarian

  • Supreme Court of Appeal: Bloemfontein
  • Free State
  • R413k – R487k /yr
  • Other
Closing date
Monday, 9 November 2026 Closes today
Reference
2026/151/OCJ
Source
DPSA · 23 Oct 2026

Requirements

Applicants should be in possession of a National Diploma in Library Science, Information Science or equivalent qualification at NQF level six (6) with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA. A minimum of two (2) years’ relevant experience in library services. Experience in a legal/law library will serve as an added advantage.

Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of library and information science matters, library prescripts, legislation, procedures and processes, knowledge of online databases, understanding of information management and retrieval of information. Skilled in research and analytical skills, communication (written and verbal), computer literacy (MS Office), planning and organising, accuracy and attention to detail. Interpersonal skills; problems solving; report writing, ability to work under pressure and independently.

Duties

Monitor the collection, cataloguing and publications of library materials within the court, identify and select the relevant material to be procured at the court library in accordance with library policies and guidelines; assess the relevance and currency of the library collection and make recommendations for additions, removals, or updates, organise and catalogue legal materials to ensure easy retrieval by legal professionals; apply appropriate classification systems and metadata to enhance the accessibility of the collection and barcoding of library material; monitor the usage of library information resources both hard copies and soft copies (online resources), monitor serial publications, receiving of amendments and updating of loose-leaf subscriptions and binders. Facilitate the submission of standing orders for the court, monitor the rendering of library and information services to judiciary, monitor circulation desk services and helpdesk roster, implement digital tools and technologies to enhance information retrieval processes, keep updated on emerging technologies relevant to legal research and library management and integrate into the library's operations, monitor the digital resources, including electronic databases, legal research tools, and online subscriptions, facilitate interlibrary loans to ensure access to materials not available within the court's own collection, monitor the circulation of delivered judgments in both PDF and Word version to publishers and external stakeholders on request, ensure the circulation of finalised judgments of interest to other judges; provide reference assistance and library awareness within the court, provide reference assistance to judges, lawyers, court staff, and the public, provide support with legal research, citation verification and locating relevant legal precedents, conduct training sessions for legal professionals on effective legal research methods and the use of legal databases, keep legal professionals informed about recent developments in the law through newsletters, alerts, and other current awareness services, advocate for the importance of the library within the court system and promote awareness of its resources and services. Coordinate and monitor effective library administration, coordinate library services staff meetings, provide support in the coordination of Library Committee meetings, provide support in the facilitation of online trainings by Juta, LexisNexis and Sabinet for judges, judges’secretaries, registrars and law researchers, monitor quarterly budget allocations for the library; coordinate and monitor the procurement process with supply chain management for new purchases, monitor internal asset verification schedule and assets register, coordinate and monitor the disposal of approved library publications for donations.

Supervision of staff.

How to apply

Applications can be sent via email to 2026/151/[email protected]

Enquiries

Technical related enquiries: Mr. V.Z.J Zwane Tel No: (051) 492 4623 HR related enquiries: Ms D.S.J Peters Tel No: (051) 492 4523

Note

The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.

General note

All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form, which can be downloaded on internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources.

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. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments.

One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts.

Prior to appointment for SMS, a candidate would be required to complete the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services as endorsed by DPSA which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG). The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed on both pages by the applicant.

The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process. Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered.

Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation considered. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, social media, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only.

If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s). Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered.

Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process. All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointment. The Office the Chief Justice complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA);Act No. 4 of 2013.

We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event that your application was unsuccessful, the Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies. All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes.

Failure to provide requested information will render your application null and void. The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process.

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