Deputy Legal Officer

Deputy Legal Officer

Pay Rate: £37,694 per annum
Location: Downpatrick - Rathkeltair House
Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday (Flexi available)
Contract: Temporary
Working Pattern: 37 hours per week

Staffline Recruitment Ireland is currently recruiting for a Deputy Legal Officer on behalf of DAERA, Aquaculture & Fish Health Policy.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £37,694
• Flexitime available
• 37-hour working week
• Hybrid working
• Monday to Friday working pattern
• Opportunity to work within DAERA Aquaculture & Fish Health Policy
• Exposure to fisheries, aquaculture, and fish health legislative frameworks

The Role

This role involves supporting the interpretation and application of EU and domestic legislation within the aquaculture and fish health policy area.

The Deputy Legal Officer will assist in assessing legislative and operational compliance, working closely with DSO officials and legal professionals to respond to queries and support policy and legislative development.

The role also includes contributing to the drafting of regulations, transcribing EU legislation, stakeholder engagement, and supporting good governance and project delivery across the branch.

This position is well suited to someone with developing legal and policy experience who can work independently while supporting senior colleagues in delivering complex legislative work.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret EU and domestic legislation to assess compliance and operational compatibility
• Work with DSO officials and legal professionals to respond to legal queries
• Support the development and introduction of regulations or primary legislation via the NI Assembly and/or Westminster
• Assist in drafting regulations and transcribing EU legislation
• Contribute to policy and legislative development activity
• Engage with stakeholders through co-design, consultation, and evaluation processes
• Maintain and build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Support project management activity and promote good governance
• Assist senior colleagues with communication, reporting, and presentations

Essential Criteria

To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum of 6 months' experience interpreting EU and domestic legislation to assess compliance and compatibility
• Experience working with legal professionals and responding to legal queries
• Experience maintaining and building relationships with key stakeholders
• Experience in project management
• Experience supporting senior colleagues using strong communication and presentation skills

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of the Windsor Framework Agreement or willingness to learn
• Experience introducing regulations or primary legislation via the NI Assembly and/or Westminster
• Experience drafting regulations
• Experience transcribing EU legislation
• Experience developing policy and legislation using best practice (evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, evaluation)

Additional Information

To be shortlisted for this role all applicants MUST meet the essential criteria. Please note that these roles may be filled quickly but your CV will be kept on file for future similar roles. As there are so many applications, unsuccessful candidates may not be contacted.

Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Staffline regardless if you already have a valid certificate.

How to Apply

If you are interested and available for this position please upload your CV to the link or contact Hannah Fitzsimons for further information - [email protected]