Legal Officer / Deputy Legal Officer

Pay Rate:

• Legal Officer (DP): £47,304 per annum
• Deputy Legal Officer (SO): £37,694 per annum

Location: Various locations across Northern Ireland (including Belfast, Downpatrick, Limavady)
Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday (Flexi available)
Contract: Temporary
Working Pattern: 37 hours per week

Benefits

• Competitive salary aligned to NICS pay scales
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• 37-hour working week
• Monday to Friday working pattern
• Opportunity to work across a range of Northern Ireland Civil Service departments
• Exposure to high-profile policy, legislation, and governance work

Staffline Recruitment Ireland is currently recruiting for Legal Officers and Deputy Legal Officers on behalf of a number of Northern Ireland Civil Service departments.

The Role

These roles offer an excellent opportunity for legal professionals to contribute to the development and implementation of legislation and policy within the public sector.

Successful candidates will support or lead on interpreting EU and domestic legislation, drafting regulations, and progressing legislative initiatives.

Depending on level, candidates will either lead or support complex legislative and policy work, engage with stakeholders, and contribute to project delivery and good governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret EU and domestic legislation to assess compliance and operational compatibility
• Support or lead the development and introduction of legislation and regulations
• Draft regulations and assist with legislative processes
• Work closely with legal colleagues and DSO officials to respond to queries
• Contribute to policy development using evidence-based approaches
• Engage with stakeholders through consultation and co-design activity
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders
• Support or lead project management activity and promote good governance
• Provide clear communication, reporting, and briefing support

Essential Criteria

Legal Officer (DP level):

• Minimum of 1 year's experience leading a team delivering policy and/or legislation
• Experience interpreting EU and domestic legislation
• Experience working with legal professionals and responding to legal queries
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Strong project management experience
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and provide updates on progress and issues

Deputy Legal Officer (SO level):

• Minimum of 6 months' experience interpreting EU and domestic legislation
• Experience working with legal professionals and responding to legal queries
• Experience maintaining and building stakeholder relationships
• Project management experience
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Ability to support senior colleagues and manage workload effectively

Desirable Criteria (Both Levels)

• Knowledge of the Windsor Framework Agreement or willingness to learn
• Experience introducing legislation via the Northern Ireland Assembly and/or Westminster
• Experience drafting regulations or transcribing EU legislation
• Experience developing policy using evidence-based approaches

How to Apply

If you are interested in these Legal Officer or Deputy Legal Officer opportunities, please apply now by submitting your CV through the application link provided or contact Hannah Fitzsimons on [email protected]