Policy Consultant / Paralegal - Food Standards
Job Title: Policy Paralegal (HEO/SEO Level) - parliamentary business unit
Location: Central Government Department (Hybrid - London-based)
Contract Type: Temporary Contractor (initial 6 months, potential extension)
Overview
The department is seeking a skilled and motivated Policy Paralegal to join a major central government department supporting food standards policy and legislative activity. This role will sit at the heart of a high-profile policy area, providing legal and procedural support to policy leads and senior officials on the development, scrutiny, and implementation of food standards regulations.
You will work closely with policy colleagues, legal advisers, and parliamentary teams to ensure that the department's legislative programme, statutory instruments, and briefings to ministers meet the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, and clarity.
Key Responsibilities
* Support the drafting, coordination, and processing of statutory instruments and other legislative documents relating to food standards and safety.
* Prepare and review briefing materials for ministers, senior officials, and parliamentary debates, ensuring alignment with departmental policy positions.
* Monitor parliamentary activity, questions, and committee business relevant to food standards; draft responses, updates, and advice to officials as required.
* Maintain accurate records and document control for legislative and policy workstreams, ensuring traceability and version control.
* Assist with the management of Freedom of Information requests, correspondence, and ministerial submissions related to food standards policy.
* Contribute to the review and improvement of internal processes supporting the department's legislative and parliamentary business functions.
Essential Skills and Experience
* Strong understanding of UK parliamentary and legislative processes, including statutory instruments and secondary legislation.
* Demonstrable experience working in a policy, legal, or parliamentary role within central government or an equivalent regulated environment.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, accurate, and concise documents for ministerial and legal audiences.
* Proven ability to analyse complex legal or policy material and translate it into practical advice or action points.
* Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, capable of managing multiple concurrent workstreams to tight deadlines.
* Proficiency in MS Office and government documentation systems (e.g. eRDM, SharePoint).
Desirable
* Prior experience working on food standards, public health, or regulatory policy.
* Legal qualifications or paralegal certification.
* Familiarity with the Food Standards Act, Retained EU Law, and related UK regulatory frameworks.
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