Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Leadership Experience
Telephone
Dependants
Personal Information
Timeline
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RICCARDO HOUGHTON

RICCARDO HOUGHTON

Johannesburg

Summary

A highly skilled and results-driven professional with over a decade and a half of experience in administration, legal services, and leadership roles across various sectors. Demonstrated expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and community development. Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and implement strategic initiatives. Adept at navigating legal frameworks, overseeing compliance, and fostering strong relationships with diverse stakeholders. With a solid background in political advocacy and community outreach, I bring a proactive approach to delivering high-quality service and achieving organizational goals.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Assistant Appointment and Administrative Secretary

Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA)
Pretoria
03.2022 - 06.2024
  • Administering of Minister’s Diary
  • Management of Ministers Diary and prioritisation of meetings
  • Receive and respond to meeting invitations and appointments for Minister
  • Inform the Minister ahead of commitments and preparation of meeting documentation
  • Scheduling of meetings and appointments for Minister
  • Administering of Correspondence in the office of the Minister
  • Receive all incoming correspondence (manually and electronically)
  • Capture and upload correspondence on an electronic database (Signing Hub)
  • Draft cover letter for correspondence received for approval
  • Ensure correspondence is sent to ODG for processing
  • Maintain registers of all incoming and outgoing correspondence
  • Receipt of submissions
  • Forward submissions to Ministers Advisor
  • Forward letters of response from Minister to various Departments
  • Management and maintenance of all documentation in filing system
  • Follow up on all issues raised by Minister to internal and external stakeholders
  • Drafting of Minutes / Summaries on documents submitted for the Ministers attention
  • Administer travel and subsistence support to Minister and the staff
  • Administer local and international travel logistics for Minister and all officials in the office
  • Liaise with travel agency to ensure travel bookings are completed and that Minister and officials receive travel confirmation
  • Ensure accurate completion of subsistence (S&T) claims to be submitted to Finance for all staff prior and post local and international travel
  • Assist with completion of Kilometre claims, to be submitted when travelled
  • Maintain a detailed record of travel for the unit
  • Ensure maintenance of travel filing system for the unit is effective and efficient
  • Provide support to Minister and team at government programmes
  • Site visits and reports at different government institutions
  • Assist with coordination of outreach programmes
  • Complete procurement forms (Log1) for purchasing of items
  • Ordering of goods and services
  • Ordering of stationery for the Office
  • Liaise with internal and external stakeholders in relation to procurement of goods and services
  • Keep track of all incoming invoices from Supply Chain
  • Liaise with SAPS for Protectors for Minister when travelling
  • Securing VIP protocol services for Minister when travelling local and abroad
  • Submission of VIP protector claims to Finance
  • Assist with Asset verification for Pretoria/Cape Town Office and residential homes of the Minister
  • Maintain a detailed record of assets through physical verifications and audit checks
  • Facilitate the repair and disposal of assets
  • Maintain a filing system of all records relating to asset management
  • Liaise with stakeholders in relation to asset management
  • Reporting lost/stolen assets
  • Arranging the repairs for equipment
  • Controlling the Inventory
  • Maintenance of photocopying machines
  • Render Political support to the Minister
  • Liaise with stakeholders regarding Ministers political programs
  • Schedule and attend planned meetings of the Minister
  • Prepare Agenda, minutes and write reports and submit to the Chief of Staff
  • Accompany and support Minister physically on his/her political programs
  • Develop a constituency Programme and write report for the Minister
  • Work as the focal point between Minister and his/her constituency office
  • Liaise with all stakeholders in the constituency to address service delivery problems
  • Meet with stakeholders and community leaders to resolve service delivery problems
  • Create a link with Community Based Organisation’s, and NGO’s to detect service delivery problems
  • Build and maintain relationships with other key stakeholders to the Minister
  • Coordinate DDM programs
  • Plan meetings relative stakeholders and other DDM champions
  • Draft DDM program and keep reports for the Minister
  • Coordinate Ministers School visit programs
  • Coordinate Ministers unannounced visits to Public entities
  • Monitor and update outreach Program in accordance with Ministers schedule

Manager – Licensing Administration

Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO)
Johannesburg
03.2018 - 02.2021
  • Management of licensing administration Staff
  • Managing all elements of invoicing and licensing processes and functions
  • Contract administration
  • Managing relationships between departments within the organisation
  • Creation of high level processes and strategies of the licensing division
  • Monthly Reporting of licensing department figures to General Management and SAMRO Management Committee
  • Provide advice on the different risks associated to contract discrepancies
  • Attend to departmental budget and ensure no expenses exceed budget
  • Effective monitoring of existing business rules and creation of new business rules in line with applications and contracts received
  • Assisting with Co-ordination of Legal administration and processes from time to time
  • Creation and implementation of Departmental Workflows and Processes
  • Work with different levels of personnel within the organization to analyse and solidify overall contract administration strategy and processes
  • Coordinate actions with internal departments
  • Report status of current contract processes to management
  • Create standards and rules for existing and new contacts
  • Coordinate internal and external parties during contract development and negotiation stages
  • Ensure that contractual terms and conditions are accurately executed and satisfied
  • Analyse potential risks that contract changes may pose to the organization

Senior Legal Administrator

Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO)
Johannesburg
12.2014 - 03.2018
  • Supervise Legal Administrative Staff
  • Administration of All Legal Matters from Start to finish
  • Attend to all administrative requirements for all legal workflows, including collections, contracts, deceased estates, infringements, general litigation, member disputes
  • Departmental Reporting
  • Attend to and ensure full and accurate reporting on all legal workflows
  • Assist Legal Manager and Legal Advisors
  • Attend to all administrative requirements of the Legal Manager and Legal Advisors
  • Administration of attorneys and legal accounts as well as reconciliations
  • Attend to all administrative requirements relating to attorneys contracted by SAMRO including expenses and reconciliations
  • General Administration of the legal department including collating minutes and legal department reports
  • Cost Control – Monitor attorneys and project costs to ensure that costs are within budget

Litigation Paralegal

Munnik Basson Dagama Incorporated
Johannesburg
03.2012 - 11.2014
  • Defended and Undefended Actions in the Magistrates Court, Regional Court & High Court:
  • Drafting any and all notices, pleadings and correspondence required by the Attorneys in respect of Defended and undefended actions
  • Liasing and negotiating settlement agreements with Debtors telephonically and personally;
  • Liasing with principle debtors and sureties attorneys and replying timeously
  • Obtain liquidation reports from Liquidators in order to determine if there is a possible danger of contribution
  • Obtaining sequestration orders
  • Monitoring debtor payments on all client reports
  • Proceeding on matters where previous legal action has taken place from previous attorneys of record
  • Perusal of matters and proceeding with any legal action thereof
  • Assisting Attorneys at different client’s offices to perform due diligence reports in order to establish feasibility on purchasing new debt books;
  • Assisting clients as and when required with matters that need to be handed over to our firm for legal action
  • Daily Updating of company system, Cheetah, on any and all work done
  • Working on City of Johannesburg programme, SAP, for all matters therein
  • Obtaining reports and statements on programme, Acquire, for SA Taxi Securitisation and ABSA matters
  • Assisting call centre staff with certain legal queries raised by debtors
  • Updating and Maintaining clients monthly report

Litigation Paralegal

Marie-Lou Bester Incorporated
Johannesburg
11.2009 - 02.2012
  • Drafting various Letters
  • Liaising with & Instructing various Sheriff’s around South Africa
  • Drafting Default Judgments for High Court Matters in Witwatersrand Local Division, Transvaal Provincial Division, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Division & Free State Division
  • Drafting Warrants of Execution & Court Orders
  • Drafting Affidavits
  • Drafting Summonses
  • Drafting Letters of Demand
  • Drafting Notice’s of Abandonment of Judgment
  • Drafting Default Judgement applications for matters that have been referred to open court by registrars of the High Court (Computerised & Plain English Applications that need to be served on the defendant personally)
  • Drafting Notice’s of Withdrawal
  • Daily Updating of company Excel database of all Defendants High Court matters
  • Instructing Correspondents from PTA, KZN & Free State via email, telephone & fax with regards to the above mentioned
  • Liasing with external service providers
  • Issuing High Court Summonses/Notice of Motion
  • Serving High Court documents at defendants attorneys & filing same at court
  • Recollection of files in the High Court
  • Lodging of Default Judgments in the High Court
  • Setting Down Matters for Trial / Open Court
  • Obtaining Court Orders
  • Index and Pagination
  • Issuing Warrants of Execution
  • Volunteer as a Public Service Assistant as and when required by the High Court
  • Issuing Magistrates Court Summonses
  • Serving & Filing

Client Manager

VAT Alliance / VATit
Johannesburg
01.2008 - 10.2009
  • Assisting over 80 international companies around the world in reclaiming VAT on international business travel
  • Maintaining excellent client relationships
  • Keeping an updated Excel database, regarding all contact made with such clients
  • Signing up & loading such clients onto the company computer programs, Dragon & Salesforce & submitting VAT reclaims & maintaining any changes made therein
  • Drafting International documents which assist in applying for various international documents, including Tax certificates from various countries around the world for our clients VAT reclaim submissions
  • Liaising with various government VAT Authorities within the European Union & United States regarding VAT reclaim submissions
  • Drafting weekly reports on claims submitted
  • Create and file client packs for all invoices and documentation received from clients
  • Keep clients updated with their VAT reclaim submissions on a regular basis
  • Emailing clients banking transaction reports as proof of payment once payment has been made on the successfully refunded VAT

Administration

Van Hulsteyns Attorneys
Johannesburg
02.2006 - 12.2007
  • Initially employed as a temp attending to the front office, The company was so impressed by his people handling skills that they decided to employ him permanently working in the Litigation Department as assistant to one of their Senior Partners Andrew Legg in the mornings and in the afternoons as their front office person
  • The front office position entails:
  • Answering the switchboard
  • Meeting and greeting of clients
  • Emailing
  • Designating duties to messengers
  • Handling of miscellaneous queries
  • The Litigation position entails:
  • Managing of Attorneys Diary
  • Telephoning of clients re collections
  • Making payment arrangements
  • Filing
  • Being trained onto Ms Word, Excel, Windeed, Lawplan & Ghost Convey
  • Attending to any research as and when required
  • Extensive client liaison
  • Assisting the deceased estates department
  • Drafting letters to various financial institutions requesting transaction reports & client information
  • Reason for leaving: Seeking Better Prospects

Cashier / Supervisor / Forecourt Manager

D & H Service Station (ENGEN)
Durban
12.2004 - 01.2006
  • Counting of Float
  • Doing a daily stock Take of store items
  • Receive money for store goods and fuel sold
  • Monthly stock-take of items in the warehouse and in the store
  • Ordering of fuel and oils for the garage
  • Ordering of stock for the store
  • Liaise with petrol attendants
  • Receiving of fuel and oils for the garage
  • Take daily readings of how much fuel had been sold
  • Handling customer complaints and suggestions
  • Recommendation of different fuels and oils to customers
  • Make sure the health, safety, environmental and quality, (HSEQ) meet ENGEN’s standards of approval
  • Ensure the attendants keep the working environment clean
  • Staff training
  • Contact Engen head office regarding any repairs required
  • Attend to workshop workers needs
  • Ensure that all staff members look respectable for the day’s work
  • Petrol attendant duties as and when required

Education

Matric -

Highlands North Boys High School
Johannesburg
04.2001 - 12.2003

National Diploma in Law (Incomplete) - Paralegal Studies

University of Johannesburg
01.2006 -

LLB DEGREE (Current) -

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)

HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (Current) -

Regenesys Business School

PROJECT MANAGEMENT NQF LEVEL 5 -

BMT College
01-2014

LEADERSHIP NQF LEVEL 5 -

BMT College
01-2015

ESSENTIAL COPYRIGHT LAW -

UNISA-WIPO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW PROGRAMME
01-2015

SUPERVISORY MANAGEMENT -

Imsimbi Training
01-2017

TRAIN THE TRAINER -

SAMRO
01-2016

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Kwelanga Training
04.2001 -

Contract Management

University of Pretoria
06-2018

Performance Management

CBM Training
07-2019

Business Negotiation Skills

CBM Training
05-2019

Business Etiquette And Cultural Diversity

CBM Training
07-2019

Time Management And Leadership Programme

CBM Training
07-2019

Intelligent Business Communication Skills

CBM Training
06-2019

Business Problem Solving

CBM Training
04-2019

Practical Labour Law And CCMA

CBM Training
09-2019

Team Leadership Using Emotional Intelligence

CBM Training
09-2019

Effective Time Management

CBM Training
07-2019

Business Contracts And SLA's

Astrotech
02-2019

Employment Equity Committee Training

The South African Labour Guide
07-2020

Skills

Diary and schedule management for senior officials

Coordination of meetings and travel arrangements

Asset management and verification

Documentation, filing, and correspondence management

Procurement and supply chain management

Stakeholder relations and management

Leadership roles in political and community organizations (eg, ANC, ANC Youth League, School Governing Body)

Supervisory experience (managing teams in licensing administration and legal departments)

Budget management and expense monitoring

Project planning, implementation, and supervision

Problem-solving and decision- making within leadership frameworks

Developing workflows and ensuring project timelines

Coordination of outreach and constituency programs

Contract management and administration of business projects

Administration of legal workflows (contracts, litigation)

Drafting of legal documents

Management of litigation processes in both Magistrate's Court and High Court

Contractual risk management and compliance reporting

Drafting reports, meeting minutes, and agendas Handling sensitive correspondence and inquiries

Ensuring financial compliance in legal processes and travel claims

Managing invoicing, contracts, and financial reporting

Leadership Experience

  • City of Johannesburg Ward Governance Committee Member, Community Development Portfolio (Arts, Sport and Culture), 01/01/15, 12/31/21
  • African National Congress Youth League Branch Secretary, 01/01/14, 12/31/17
  • African National Congress Youth League Branch Chairperson, 01/01/18, 12/31/19
  • African National Congress Youth League Zonal Secretary, 01/01/19, 12/31/20
  • African National Congress Branch Secretary, 01/01/18, 12/31/21
  • African National Congress Branch Chairperson, 01/01/22, Current
  • African National Congress Zonal Secretary, 01/01/22, 12/31/24
  • School Governing Body Chairperson, Highlands North Boys High School, 01/01/19, 12/31/22
  • School Governing Body Member, Hyde Park High School, 01/01/24, Current

Telephone

071 453 6839

Dependants

3

Personal Information

  • ID Number: 851224 5042 086
  • Gender: Male
  • Nationality: South African
  • Marital Status: Married

Timeline

Assistant Appointment and Administrative Secretary

Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA)
03.2022 - 06.2024

Manager – Licensing Administration

Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO)
03.2018 - 02.2021

Senior Legal Administrator

Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO)
12.2014 - 03.2018

Litigation Paralegal

Munnik Basson Dagama Incorporated
03.2012 - 11.2014

Litigation Paralegal

Marie-Lou Bester Incorporated
11.2009 - 02.2012

Client Manager

VAT Alliance / VATit
01.2008 - 10.2009

Administration

Van Hulsteyns Attorneys
02.2006 - 12.2007

National Diploma in Law (Incomplete) - Paralegal Studies

University of Johannesburg
01.2006 -

Cashier / Supervisor / Forecourt Manager

D & H Service Station (ENGEN)
12.2004 - 01.2006

Matric -

Highlands North Boys High School
04.2001 - 12.2003

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Kwelanga Training
04.2001 -

LLB DEGREE (Current) -

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)

HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (Current) -

Regenesys Business School

PROJECT MANAGEMENT NQF LEVEL 5 -

BMT College

LEADERSHIP NQF LEVEL 5 -

BMT College

ESSENTIAL COPYRIGHT LAW -

UNISA-WIPO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW PROGRAMME

SUPERVISORY MANAGEMENT -

Imsimbi Training

TRAIN THE TRAINER -

SAMRO

Contract Management

University of Pretoria

Performance Management

CBM Training

Business Negotiation Skills

CBM Training

Business Etiquette And Cultural Diversity

CBM Training

Time Management And Leadership Programme

CBM Training

Intelligent Business Communication Skills

CBM Training

Business Problem Solving

CBM Training

Practical Labour Law And CCMA

CBM Training

Team Leadership Using Emotional Intelligence

CBM Training

Effective Time Management

CBM Training

Business Contracts And SLA's

Astrotech

Employment Equity Committee Training

The South African Labour Guide

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