Principal Legal OfficerPay Rate per hour: £32.05 Location: Belfast - Departmental Solicitor's Office, Advisory Division 4, Lanyon Plaza Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: Temporary ongoingBenefitsHybrid working pattern availableFlexitime arrangementsOpportunity to work within the Departmental Solicitor's OfficeExposure to a wide range of public law mattersBelfast city centre locationStaffline Recruitment Ireland is currently recruiting for a Principal Legal Officer on behalf of the Department of Finance, Departmental Solicitor's Office, Advisory Division 4.This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced legal professional to provide specialist legal advice to the Department for Communities across a range of complex and high-profile areas of law.The successful candidate will provide legal advice in the areas of local government, charities, social security, and housing law, supporting the Department in the delivery of its statutory functions and policy objectives.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide legal advice to the Department for Communities on local government law mattersAdvise on legal issues relating to charities regulation and governanceProvide specialist legal advice on social security legislation and policyAdvise on housing law matters and associated statutory frameworksDeliver clear, practical, and risk-based legal advice to departmental clientsSupport the Department in managing legal risks and ensuring compliance with relevant legislationAssist with legal research, drafting, and interpretation of legislation as requiredEssential CriteriaTo be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following criteria:Qualified Solicitor or Barrister entitled to practise in Northern IrelandMinimum of 3 years' post-qualification experienceDesirable CriteriaExperience advising public sector organisations or government departmentsExperience in one or more of the following areas: local government, charities, social security, or housing lawAdditional InformationApplicants must meet the essential criteria to be shortlistedSuccessful candidates will be required to obtain CTC security clearanceApplicants should have resided within the UK f3+ years for clearance requirementsHow to ApplyIf you are interested and available for this position, please upload your CV via the application link or contact Skills:Legal Advice Public Law Statutory Interpretation Legal Research Legal Drafting Legislative Analysis Local GovernmentWHJS1_NI