Principle Legal Officer

Principal Legal Officer

Pay Rate per hour: £32.05
Location: Belfast - DoF, DSO Advisory Division 2, Lanyon Plaza
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Temporary ongoing

Benefits

• Hybrid working pattern available
• Flexitime arrangements
• 37-hour working week
• Monday to Friday working pattern
• Opportunity to work within the Departmental Solicitor's Office
• Exposure to high-level public sector advisory and legislative work
• Belfast city centre location

Staffline Recruitment Ireland is currently recruiting for a Principal Legal Officer on behalf of the Department of Finance, DSO Advisory Division 2.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced solicitor or barrister to work on complex and high-profile advisory matters within the public sector.

The successful candidate will provide high-quality legal advice and support to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, with a particular focus on legislative processes, statutory interpretation, and matters arising from the Windsor Framework.

The role offers hands-on involvement in advising on Assembly and Westminster legislative procedures, scrutiny of secondary legislation, implementation of EU laws, and broader public law matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide timely, well-drafted, client-focused, risk-based legal advice to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
• Advise on the interpretation of primary and secondary legislation
• Support the client department in navigating Assembly and Westminster procedures for secondary legislation
• Assist with scrutiny and review of secondary legislation
• Advise on the outworking and impact of the Windsor Framework
• Provide legal advice on the implementation of EU laws effective under the Windsor Framework
• Advise on Assembly procedures relating to Bills, including legislative competence matters
• Draft instructions to Legislative Counsel and other legislative drafters
• Provide legal advice in relation to Assembly Questions for Written Answer (AQWs)

Essential Criteria

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

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister entitled to practise in Northern Ireland
• Minimum of 3 years' post-qualification experience

Desirable Criteria

• Experience providing legal advice to a public body

Additional Information

• Applicants must meet the essential criteria to be shortlisted
• Successful candidates will be required to complete CTC and therefore must have resided within the UK for 3 years or more.

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.