Director: Consumer Protection

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… (see full advert)