Senior Management Opportunities

Introduction

The Civil Service is at the heart of Irish society, making a vital contribution to Irish life. Everything the Civil Service does, from carrying out the work of Government to delivering frontline public services, impacts our country and, most importantly, our people.

Employing over 50,000 people across more than 40 Government Departments and Offices, the Civil Service is delivering on the Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy, an ambitious 10-year programme of reform. The strategy aims to create a diverse, high-performing Civil Service that is more inclusive, engaged, and agile.

This strategy aligns with Better Public Services – Public Service Transformation 2030, which aims to meet the needs of the public and improve lives through enhanced public service delivery.

By implementing these strategies and demonstrating an enduring commitment to public service values, the Civil Service seeks to create a more diverse yet unified, professional, responsive, open, and accountable organisation that inspires confidence both in Ireland and internationally.

The Civil Service is now recruiting high-performing individuals with relevant experience for the role of Assistant Principal Officer. This is an exciting opportunity for dynamic and dedicated professionals committed to serving the public interest.

Successful candidates will be offered a meaningful, satisfying, and varied career with competitive terms and conditions.

publicjobs will establish a panel of suitably qualified individuals to fill vacancies that may arise across the Civil Service.

The Role

Assistant Principal Officer is a senior managerial grade in the Civil Service and is a critical leadership role in implementing Government policy in economic, financial, international, environmental, and social areas.

While responsibilities and key deliverables will vary depending on the Department, Office, or agency, they generally include:

• Policy and strategy formulation on complex issues.
• Shaping fiscally sustainable policy solutions to promote economic and employment growth and effective social policies.
• Engaging effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders, including Ministers, senior civil servants, and the wider political system, including on cross-governmental issues.
• Providing high-quality budgeting advice and ensuring delivery against fiscal targets.
• Planning and organising significant programmes of work in a pressurised environment and within tight deadlines.
• Leading, managing, and developing staff to achieve high levels of performance.
• Participating in and leading cross-cutting projects to deliver whole-of-Government objectives.
• Providing leadership, strategic direction, and innovation in advancing the reform agenda, including delivery of action plans under Civil Service Renewal 2030 and Better Public Services 2030.
• Representing Ireland’s interests at EU and international level.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

Selection Process

Selection for the position of Assistant Principal Officer involves a structured assessment process that may take place over a period of time.

publicjobs will keep applicants informed as they progress through the selection process. Relevant information regarding each stage will be provided in advance to ensure candidates are equipped to perform to the best of their ability.

Positions Requiring Specialist Irish Language Skills

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

Vacancies requiring staff to provide a full range of services through the Irish language (Functional Bilinguals) may be filled from this competition.

Individuals with proficiency in Irish who meet all eligibility requirements may indicate their interest on the application form.

Candidates who indicate interest and who are successful at the final selection stages will be required to undertake assessments through Irish (e.g., interview, written test, etc.) at an external assessment centre before being considered for such positions.

Candidates must demonstrate a minimum Level B2 proficiency in Irish on the Europass self-assessment framework.

Location Choice

While the majority of vacancies are expected to arise in Dublin, a smaller number may arise in regional locations.

Applicants may select a maximum of one location choice from the following:

• Carlow
• Cavan
• Clare
• Cork
• Donegal
• Dublin
• Galway
• Kerry
• Kildare
• Kilkenny
• Laois
• Leitrim
• Limerick
• Louth
• Longford
• Mayo
• Meath
• Monaghan
• Offaly
• Roscommon
• Sligo
• Tipperary
• Waterford
• Westmeath
• Wexford
• Wicklow

Applicants should only select a location where they are prepared to work if offered an appointment.

Changes to location choice will not be permitted after the closing date. No exceptions will be made.

Candidates should note that vacancies may not arise in all listed locations during the lifetime of the panel.

Once a candidate has been assigned to a position, they are removed from the panel.

A breakdown of Assistant Principal Officer assignments from recent panels can be viewed on page 5 of the General Information document available through the publicjobs listing.

If a candidate is offered a position, whether accepted or declined, they will normally no longer be considered for any other position in that location.

Key Employment Details

Starting Salary: €83,113

Annual Leave: 30 days

Hours of Attendance: 41 hours 15 minutes gross per week

The Principal Conditions of Service, including details of the pay scale, incremental points, eligibility requirements, restrictions on eligibility, and citizenship requirements, are available through the job listing.

Vacancies

Successful applicants will be placed on a panel in order of merit.

Vacancies for Assistant Principal Officer positions may be filled from this panel.

Positions may arise in:

• Government Departments
• Government Offices
• Agencies of Government Departments

Most vacancies are expected to arise in Dublin, although some regional opportunities may become available.

It is not anticipated that appointments will be made from this competition after March 2028.

Essential Entry Requirements

Candidates must, on or before Thursday, 18 June 2026, satisfy the following requirements:

1. Management Experience

Have significant management experience at an appropriate level, including:

• Leading teams.
• Managing stakeholders.

2. Relevant Professional Experience

Have significant experience in some or all of the following areas:

• People management.
• Project management.
• Budget management.
• Programme delivery.
• Strategic management.
• Change management.

3. Key Skills and Capabilities

Demonstrate the skills and capabilities required for effective performance at Assistant Principal Officer level, including:

• Building Future Readiness.
• Leading & Empowering.
• Evidence-Informed Delivery.
• Communicating and Collaborating.

4. Irish Language Requirement (Where Applicable)

Candidates expressing an interest in Irish-speaking positions as Functional Bilinguals must demonstrate a minimum Level B2 proficiency in Irish on the Europass self-assessment framework.

Desirable Criteria

• A third-level educational qualification in a relevant discipline or disciplines appropriate to the role.

Eligibility

Eligibility may not be confirmed until the final stage of the selection process.

Candidates who do not meet the essential requirements by the specified date and proceed with an application may be putting themselves to unnecessary effort and expense and will not be offered a position from this competition.

The responsibility rests with candidates to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements.

publicjobs reserves the right to deem a candidate ineligible at any stage where it becomes apparent from the application form or supporting documentation that the eligibility criteria have not been met.

Candidates who come under consideration following the final selection stage will be required to provide documentary evidence of eligibility, including qualifications.

An invitation to tests, interview, or any stage of the selection process does not constitute confirmation or acceptance of eligibility.