Level with the post (8)
I believe the answer is:
standard
This clue is a double definition.
'level' is the first definition.
(I have seen 'Level of quality ' mean 'standard' so perhaps 'level' could also mean 'standard')
'post' is the second definition.
(I know that standard is a type of post)
'with the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for standard that I've seen before include "authority" , "Conventional" , "Flag; criterion" , "sort of lamp" , "Flag - norm" .)