Job description
Principal Legal Officer
Pay Rate per hour: £
Location: Belfast - DoF, DSO Advisory Division 2, Lanyon Plaza
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Temporary ongoing
Benefits
1. Hybrid working pattern available
2. Flexitime arrangements
3. 37-hour working week
4. Monday to Friday working pattern
5. Opportunity to work within the Departmental Solicitor's Office
6. Exposure to high-level public sector advisory and legislative work
7. 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
8. Provide timely, well-drafted, client-focused, risk-based legal advice to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
9. Advise on the interpretation of primary and secondary legislation
10. Support the client department in navigating Assembly and Westminster procedures for secondary legislation
11. Assist with scrutiny and review of secondary legislation
12. Advise on the outworking and impact of the Windsor Framework
13. Provide legal advice on the implementation of EU laws effective under the Windsor Framework
14. Advise on Assembly procedures relating to Bills, including legislative competence matters
15. Draft instructions to Legislative Counsel and other legislative drafters
16. 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:
17. Qualified Solicitor or Barrister entitled to practise in Northern Ireland
18. Minimum of 3 years' post-qualification experience
Desirable Criteria
19. Experience providing legal advice to a public body
Additional Information
20. Applicants must meet the essential criteria to be shortlisted
21. Successful candidates will be required to complete CTC and therefore must have resided within the UK for 3 years or more.