Legal Officer Pay Rate: £47,304 per annum Location: Belfast - Clare House Hours: Flexi (core hours between 8:00am - 6:00pm), Monday to Friday Contract: Temporary (1 April 2026 - 4 October 2026) Working Pattern: Full-time, 37 hours per week Staffline Recruitment Ireland is currently recruiting for a Legal Officer on behalf of DAERA, Agri-Food Policy 2 (Brexit) Branch. Benefits Competitive salary of £47,304 Flexitime between 8:00am and 6:00pm Hybrid Working 37-hour working week Monday to Friday working pattern On-site car parking Opportunity to work within DAERA Involvement in high-level policy and legislative work The Role This role plays a key part in shaping agri-food policy and legislative frameworks within a post-Brexit environment, ensuring ongoing alignment with both EU and UK regulatory requirements. The Legal Officer will be responsible for interpreting complex EU and domestic legislation, supporting the development and drafting of new regulations, and engaging with a range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver clear, effective, and compliant policy outcomes. This position is well suited to an individual with strong analytical ability, excellent communication skills, and proven project management experience, who can work independently while contributing to the delivery of complex and high-impact legislative initiatives. Key Responsibilities Interpret EU and domestic legislation to assess compliance and compatibility Work with legal professionals and DSO officials to respond to legislative and legal queries Support the introduction of regulations or primary legislation via the NI Assembly and/or Westminster Draft regulations and contribute to legislative development Transcribe and interpret EU legislation where required Support policy and legislation development using evidence-based approaches Engage with stakeholders through co-design, consultation, and evaluation processes Maintain and build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders Lead or support project management activity and promote good governance Work independently while providing updates on progress, risks, and issues Essential Criteria To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following criteria: Minimum of 1 year's experience leading a team delivering policy and/or legislation Ability to work independently and provide updates on progress and issues to management and colleagues Experience leading a team Experience interpreting EU and domestic legislation to assess legislative and operational compliance and compatibility Experience working with legal professionals and responding to legal queries Experience building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders Strong project management experience Excellent communication and presentation skills Desirable Criteria Knowledge of the Windsor Framework Agreement or willingness to learn Experience introducing regulations or primary legislation via the NI Assembly and/or Westminster Experience drafting regulations Experience transcribing EU legislation Experience developing policy and legislation using best practice (evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, evaluation) Project Management certification Additional Information To be shortlisted for this role all applicants MUST meet the essential criteria. Please note that these roles may be filled quickly but your CV will be kept on file for future similar roles. As there are so many applications, unsuccessful candidates may not be contacted. Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Staffline regardless if you already have a valid certificate. 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 - Skills: Legal Assistant Solicitor Barrister Legislation deputy principle EU and domestic legislation