Discover Graduate Opportunities
for All Discplines

1. What is the Civil Service grade for this stream? ▾

The General (All Discipline) Graduate Stream is within the Administrative Officer grade for the Civil Service.

2. What does the role of an Administrative Officer entail? ▾

Administrative Officers are employed across Government Departments/Offices, covering a wide range of functional responsibilities. While engaged in a variety of activities, typically Administrative Officers have a crucial role in policy and strategy formulation across the spectrum of economic, financial, international, environmental and social issues. An Administrative Officer could be placed in any Government department and may involve responsibilities such as researching and drafting proposals relating to policy issues and legislation.

3. Where am I likely to be working if I am successful? ▾

Administrative Officers are employed in Government Departments/Offices primarily in Dublin.

4. What is the starting salary? ▾

The starting salary for this position is €33,053. There are certain circumstances that this may differ. Further information can be found in the information booklet.

5. How do I apply? ▾

First you need to set up a publicjobs account. You can do this on www.publicjobs.ie. Once you have signed up, there is a short application form that you are required to complete. This will be partially completed using the information you provided when setting up your publicjobs.ie profile.

6. Accessibility and reasonable accommodations – what if I need assistance? ▾

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes are accessible. For example, all of our forms are available in accessible formats and our online assessment and interview tools include features that support accessibility.

If you experience any difficulties or if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact our Disability Champion, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We understand that candidates are diverse and that some candidates with disabilities may require adjustments or reasonable accommodations to enable them to undertake particular elements of the recruitment process. We encourage candidates to indicate at application stage if they think they require adjustments or reasonable accommodations at any stage of the process. You should check the information booklet for information about how to do this. Please note that you may be asked to submit a psychological/medical report by the closing date of 8th October 2020. This is to enable us to determine how best we can provide assistance. If you have previously applied for a competition with us and submitted a report, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm that your report is still on file.

7. I am not an Irish citizen – am I eligible? ▾

Eligible Candidates must:

• (a) A citizen of the European Economic Area. The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
• (b) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
• (c) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or
• (d) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or
• (e) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

To qualify candidates must meet one of the citizenship criteria above by the date of any job offer.

You should check the Information booklet for full eligibility criteria.

8. What does the General (All Discipline) stream entail? ▾

Opportunities for General Administrative Officer (AO) are likely to arise across a number of Departments and Offices in the Civil Service. As an AO, you would have a crucial role in policy and strategy formulation across the spectrum of economic, financial, international, environmental and social issues. Those appointed will have the opportunity to effect real change in the Civil Service and help shape a changing Ireland. Assignments may also be made to support functions e.g. Facilities Management and Corporate Affairs.

9. Am I eligible for these streams? ▾

To be eligible for the streams you must have certain qualifications which are detailed in the information booklet.

10. What are the stages of the recruitment process? ▾

We use a number of different selection methods to find the most suitable candidates for the available roles. The selection process for the Third Secretary / Development Specialist Officer competition will comprise a number of elements. These may include some of the following:

• Completion of an online Assessment Questionnaire;
• Online and/or paper-based assessment test(s);
• Short listing;
• An online video interview;
• Language tests (oral and/or written);
• Competitive Interview(s);
• Presentation/Analysis exercise;
• Work sample test or any other tests or exercises that may be deemed appropriate, including language proficiency tests.

11. How long does the process usually take? ▾

We envisage the first panel to be in place from this competition in December with assignments from this panel to commence as soon as possible.

12. How long will the competition be active for / when does the competition expire? ▾

It is not envisaged that appointments will be made from this competition after September 2021.

13. What happens if I am not available to attend a stage of the recruitment process? ▾

Reschedule requests may only be considered under exceptional circumstances as deemed acceptable by us (e.g. Bereavement/Illness). Candidates who are afforded an opportunity to reschedule will be processed in the next candidate batch, should such batch be invited to the next stage of the selection process. Further information is available in the information booklet.

14. How will the selection process be held in light of Covid-19? ▾

All stages of the selection process will be held remotely, including the interview stage. With regard to the interview, this will be conducted via Zoom and the recruitment team will be in touch with you ahead of your interview, with all the details, including your login details to access the video call. If you have difficulty logging into the call, please email the recruitment team

Access here our tips for Video interview

15. What does ‘equal opportunities employer’ mean? ▾

The Public Appointments Service is an equal opportunities employer. This means that we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and we recognise the positive contribution that a workforce that reflects society brings to the public service. Importantly, we do not discriminate based on any of the nine grounds set out in the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. We value applications from candidates with different ages, abilities, gender identities, ethnicities, skin colour and sexual orientations. We recognise that candidates will have different religious and non-religious beliefs. We also recognise that candidates will have different socio-economic backgrounds and civil status and that their caring and family responsibilities may change.

16. How will Covid-19 impact how I work, should I be successful at interview and take up a role as an Administrative Officer? ▾

Due to Covid-19, work practices have largely changed from office to remote working to ensure the safety of all those working across the Civil Service. As an Employer of Choice and under the Programme for Government, the Civil Service is exploring opportunities for employees to work remotely, should you be successful.

17. Can I withdraw my application? ▾

You can withdraw your application at any stage during the process. Simply e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and tell us that you do not want to be considered for the position anymore.

18. Are you on social media? ▾

Absolutely! You can find us on

Have a question we didn’t answer? You can send us a message on social media, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..