Job description
Thank you for your interest in the post of Principal Legal Officer in the Procurement Team which sits in the Commercial & Property Division of the Departmental Solicitor’s Office (DSO), which is part of the Department of Finance. DSO supports the delivery of public services by providing key legal advice and services to all Northern Ireland Ministers and Departments in a complex constitutional, political and legal environment. Staff are engaged in a wide variety of work, often at the leading edge of issues relevant to government. In this role, you will be providing mainly non-contentious procurement advice on a range of significant matters. This is a role which demands not only outstanding legal knowledge but an understanding of the workings of government. Support will be provided by an experienced team so if you have a passion for public service and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of legal practice, then you are strongly encouraged to consider this opportunity. The salary for this post will be within the range £61,673 - £64,469. The current employer contribution is 34.25% of salary. Further details can be found on the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme (Northern Ireland) website at
Responsibilities
* Timely, often urgent procurement advice to CPD and the CoPE on issues which arise during competitions, e.g. scoring challenges.
* Advice to CPD/CoPE on problems which have arisen through the drafting of procurement competition documents. Scrutiny and interpretation of words and phrases.
* as used in the tender documents and the application of EU and domestic procurement case law and input into related commercial documentation.
* Advice to CPD/CoPE upon the interpretation and application of the new Procurement Act 2023 (which came into force on 24 February 2025) and by which the UK law now has its own procurement regime
* no longer bound by the EU directive 2014/24/EU and Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
* Advice on the differences between grant and procurement law (public contracts) and related funding processes and documentation. Annual/ 6-monthly training to CPD on aspects of the Procurement Act/ case law and Cabinet Office Guidance.
* Assistance to CPD with the drafting of its Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs), which all public bodies subject to Public Procurement Policy are obliged to follow.
* Attendance at bi-monthly Heads of Procurement Group (HoPG) meetings with CPD and Heads of the CoPE, to deliver a legal update and to keep up-to-date with the ongoing policy issues which affect these clients.
* Fortnightly clinics in CPD and in DfI (which CoPE comes directly to DSO for procurement advice).
* Assistance to CPD and CoPE to address challenges which have arisen during the standstill period. This involves meeting with CPD and client departments (usually via Teams)
* and providing legal input to the drafting of robust responses to letters of challenge in an effort to avoid legal proceedings (High Court Writ).
* The ability to work closely with colleagues in the DSO procurement team, sharing insights into ongoing issues arising and procurement law and finding solutions together. Occasional liaison with Litigation Division when a writ has been received.
* Resource Management. Management of a range of legal projects using proven approaches and techniques. Managing resources ensuring these are used effectively in order to maximise benefits, including value for money.
* Developing relationships with key stakeholders on the full range of matters relevant to the business area. Representation at meetings with CPD and with other departments and CoPE, as required.
* Membership of committees advisory groups, project boards within DSO, NICS and externally, as required.
* Maintaining and continuously developing their professional knowledge and competence, acting as a leading source of expertise and authoritative
* advice and ensuring high professional standards and sound decision-making practices are embedded within business areas.
Skills and Qualifications
Essential Skills
* Applicants must, by the closing date for applications: Be a Solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland qualified to practice in Northern Ireland or Barrister of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland qualified to practice in N.I.
* AND Have at least 5 years’ post qualification procurement and/or commercial contract experience. (Qualification being the date of enrolment with the Law Society of Northern Ireland or the Bar of Northern Ireland).
Desirable Skills
* In addition, applicants should be aware that after an eligibility sift, should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview, the following shortlisting criteria will be used:
* At least 2 years’ continuous practical experience of advising on procurement law.
* The panel will carry out an objective evaluation of the information provided by candidates. This will be completed on a scored basis and only the highest scoring applicants will proceed to interview.
Further Information
Location: Greater Belfast with occasional travel throughout Northern Ireland and, exceptionally, beyond. NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 13th March 2026 at 12 noon. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Applications from Protestants, males, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.