Communications Specialist (Higher Executive Officer)

Overview

The Civil Service is at the heart of Irish society, employing over 50,000 people across approximately 40 Government Departments and Offices, as well as a range of other public bodies. Every day, the Civil Service makes a vital contribution to Irish life. Everything it does, from carrying out the work of Government to delivering frontline public services, has an impact on Ireland.

Working in communications within the Civil Service provides an excellent opportunity to shape communications policy and strategy while developing a career as a skilled communications professional. Successful candidates will work on important issues, keeping the public informed and supporting the delivery of policies and public services that make a real difference in people's lives.

The Civil Service is now recruiting for Communications Specialists at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) level. This is an exciting opportunity for communications professionals seeking new challenges, meaningful work, and the chance to make a positive impact.

The Role

The Communications Specialist is a middle management position within the Civil Service. While duties vary depending on the organisation, the successful candidate will be a key member of the communications team, supporting departmental priorities and business objectives.

Responsibilities may include:

• Strategic communications and campaigns
• Media relations
• Event management
• Digital communications
• Stakeholder engagement
• Internal communications

Promotion opportunities are available through open competitions to:

• Communications Manager (Assistant Principal level)
• Head of Communications (Principal Officer level)

Applicants should note that some Government Departments, Offices, or agencies may require evening, weekend, or offsite event work. Where applicable, Civil Service overtime, travel, and subsistence rates will apply.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Depending on the Civil Service organisation, responsibilities may include:

• Assisting in developing strategies to enhance internal and external communications and contributing to their delivery.
• Translating complex information into clear, accessible communications for a variety of audiences.
• Managing media relations, including preparing press releases and responding to enquiries from journalists and media contacts via telephone and email.
• Organising events, interviews, launches, photocalls, and press conferences.
• Monitoring current affairs, including Oireachtas business, and media coverage, and sharing relevant information with stakeholders.
• Developing and implementing digital and social media strategies, including content calendars aligned with communications priorities.
• Developing and implementing communications campaigns and programmes.
• Creating content for multiple platforms, including photography, videography, and graphic design.
• Providing support and briefings for spokespeople before media engagements and coordinating media training where required.
• Developing innovative approaches to communicating with the media and the public.
• Supervising junior staff as required.
• Participating in the Government Communications Network and promoting cross-government collaboration and best practice.
• Carrying out any other duties assigned by the Head of Section or Department.

Please note: The above responsibilities are intended as a general guide and are not an exhaustive list of duties associated with the role.

Vacancies

Successful applicants will be placed on a panel, ranked in order of merit, to fill vacancies that arise.

It is anticipated that most vacancies during the lifetime of the panel will be based in Dublin.

Appointments are not expected to be made from this panel after February 2028.

Candidates should note:

• Successful candidates may be assigned to any Civil Service organisation, including Government Departments, Offices, and other public bodies.
• Job offers must be accepted within five working days. Failure to accept within this period will be considered a refusal.

Positions Requiring Irish Language Skills

The Civil Service is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Official Languages Act.

Vacancies requiring staff to deliver a full range of services through Irish (Functional Bilingual positions) may be filled through this competition.

Applicants who:

• are proficient in Irish, and
• meet all other eligibility requirements

may indicate their interest on the application form.

Successful candidates expressing interest will be required to complete assessments through Irish, such as interviews and/or written tests, and must demonstrate at least Level B2 on the Europass self-assessment framework.

Benefits

Working as a Communications Specialist offers a rewarding career along with a range of benefits, including:

• Opportunities for promotion through internal, inter-departmental, and open competitions.
• Career progression to Communications Manager (Assistant Principal) and Head of Communications (Principal Officer).
• Competitive salary with annual increments, subject to satisfactory performance.
• Public Sector pension.

Subject to business needs and successful completion of probation:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Strong commitment to work-life balance.
• Family-friendly workplace, including work-sharing and a variety of special leave options.
• Access to the Shorter Working Year Scheme.
• Opportunity to apply for career breaks.
• Learning and development opportunities, including:

Additional benefits include:

• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to the Public Service Credit Union
• TaxSaver public transport pass

Salary and Working Hours

Salary: €60,029 to €76,546 (LSI2)

Starting Annual Leave: 29 days

Hours of Attendance: 41 hours and 15 minutes (gross) per week

Details of the Principal Conditions of Service, salary scale, incremental points, eligibility requirements, and citizenship conditions are available in the official job listing.

Competition Closing Date: Applications must be submitted via the PublicJobs website no later than 3:00 pm on Thursday, 16 July 2026.

Essential Requirements

Candidates must qualify through either Route 1(a) or Route 1(b) by 16 July 2026.

Route 1(a)

A minimum Level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or NARIC Ireland equivalent, in a relevant discipline such as:

• Advertising
• Communications
• Journalism
• Marketing
• Multimedia
• Public Relations
• Public Affairs

and

At least four years' professional experience working in at least three of the following areas.

ORRoute 1(b)

A minimum of five years' professional experience working in communications, a press office, public relations, or related fields, including demonstrable experience in three or more of the following:

• Media Relations
• Public Relations
• Public Affairs
• Journalism
• Event Management
• Social Media Management
• Multimedia Content Creation
• Graphic Design
• Website Management
• Advertising
• Marketing Communications
• Internal Communications Programmes

Candidates must also demonstrate:

Experience managing staff and resources at an appropriate level.

Proven ability to deliver communications for an organisation.

Ability to work closely with senior management to devise, design, and implement communications strategies and programmes.

Ability to lead public relations, including media relations and stakeholder engagement, while providing expert advice.

Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work calmly under pressure while managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including communicating complex information to diverse audiences.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and network at all organisational levels.

Commitment to delivering high-quality results.

Strategic thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to evaluate different approaches.

Strong interest in current affairs and commitment to public service.

Willingness to share knowledge and collaborate to achieve results.

Confidence, resilience, and the ability to perform effectively in challenging situations.

Motivation, flexibility, adaptability, initiative, and a positive attitude toward organisational change.

Candidates must also demonstrate the capabilities required for effective performance at the Higher Executive Officer level.

Desirable

• Proficiency in Irish.
• Good research and/or editorial skills.

Please Note

Qualifications and eligibility may not be verified until the final stages of the recruitment process.

Candidates who do not meet the essential requirements by the specified dates but continue with the application process do so at their own risk and expense, as they will not be offered a position.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet all eligibility requirements.

PublicJobs reserves the right to declare an applicant ineligible at any stage if it becomes apparent that the required qualifications or eligibility criteria have not been met.

Candidates invited to tests, interviews, or any stage of the recruitment process are not thereby confirmed as eligible.

Candidates placed on the panel who are considered for appointment will be required to provide documentary evidence of their qualifications and eligibility. This may include official academic transcripts, so applicants should ensure these are available if requested.