The Work

The Secretary General is the head Civil Servant position in a Department, recommended by the Minister for that Department. The role holder is appointed on a fixed -term contract basis for 7 years by the Government.

This is a senior leadership role, which involves

• Managing the Department
• Implementing government policies
• Providing advice to the Minister
• Assigning specific roles to staff

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Secretary Generals are Top level Civil servants. They can be recruited both internally as a progression step up through the Civil Service, and externally, through open competition via www.publicjobs.ie.

Generally significant management experience at an appropriate level, leading teams and managing resources, and a third level educational qualifications relevant to the role is required. 

Training & Development pathways 

FET Centre Traineeship FET Traineeship Courses are delivered in training centres around Ireland at NFQ levels 5-6 Search FET Courses 

FET Centre PLC Courses FET PLC Courses are delivered in FET centre colleges around Ireland at NFQ levels 5-6

Higher education CAO entry:  Third level degree programmes are delivered in Colleges around Ireland at NFQ levels 6-8

Postgraduate study Postgraduate study programmes are delivered in Colleges around Ireland at NFQ levels 9-10 Search postgrad career courses.  Postgraduate Courses are also delivered in collegevia Springboard, these courses can be subsidized Search for job seekers or people in employment devloping their career Search Springboard courses. 

Competency Framework 

Particular skills and requirements for each departmental role can be found in the Information Booklet for each campaign at Assistant principal level Publicjobs.ie. 

Each Department in the Civil service in Ireland will require key skills from Public service competency framework.

Steps to applying:

1. Apply online at Publicjobs.ie before closing date.
2. Online Assessment Questionnaire.
3. Interview.

The Selection Process may include:

• shortlisting of candidates, on the basis of the information contained in their application
• a competitive preliminary interview
• completion of an online questionnaire(s)
• case study/work sample/role play/media exercise, and any other tests or exercises that may be deemed appropriate
• a competitive interview which may include a presentation will be conducted by the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC)

Professional Development 

The Civil Service strongly encourages its staff to further their education and improve their qualifications. A scheme providing for the refund of fees for third level courses is in place and paid study leave is allowed for staff attending such courses. On-the-job training also plays an important role in enabling employees to maximise their potential.  

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €194k - €267k

Salary will be based on Public Appointments service- Civil service scale. Scales will depend on date of entry to Civil service. 

General service grades: staff appointed before 6th April 1995

Secretary general I  215,998 Secretary general II  205,199

Secretary general III  194,399

General service grades: staff appointed after 6th April 1995

Secretary general I (PPC) 215,998 Secretary general II (PPC) 215,998 Secretary general III (PPC) 204,630

Data Source(s):
Gov.ie/ PAS/ Forsa

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
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