The 2026 competition for Executive Officers is now open for applications!
About the Role
The Executive Officer role is a first-level management role in all government departments and agencies. This role encompasses both project management and staff management across a wide range of business areas including customer service, finance, HR, marketing, IT, recruitment, policy, compliance, communications, and administration, amongst many other areas.
Depending on the role, as an Executive Officer you could expect to advance your personal skills in a wide range of different ways, and you could have the opportunity to up-skill and develop yourself professionally through high-quality training programmes, mentoring and support systems, internal training initiatives, and many more.
Annual Leave: 23 Days
Location: Nationwide
Opening Date: 06/02/2026
Closing Date: 23/02/2026
Discover Our Executive Officers
Lucy McCann
publicjobs
I came into the civil service on a one-year internship for members of the Traveller and Roma community. I applied because I had just finished my master’s and wanted something full time. I also applied because I got the impression that it would offer me different opportunities if I was successful. It was a real shot in the dark- I didn’t know where I would be working or what skills would be relevant to the role I would be put in.
After completing my one-year internship, I re-applied for a permanent position. The internship gave me a real taster of the type of work I would be doing, and frankly I didn’t want to go. I re-applied for the EO Open Competition and was successful.
This role has offered me opportunities to upskill and progress. It has also offered me the opportunity to attend events around the country, speak publicly and really step out of my comfort zone. The confidence I have gotten within this role has propelled me to get more involved and put effort into advocating for myself and others as Irish Traveller and Roma Civil servants.
I would recommend a career in the civil service, I think working here has been impactful and has helped shaped the person I am and the person I want to be. I think the vast amount and variety of roles within the civil service opens a lot of doors that people often don’t even know are there!
Read More About Lucy
Emilly Xavier
Department of Foreign Affairs
I work at the Department of Foreign Affairs as the Divisional Coordinator of the Ireland, UK and Americas Division. I hold the position of Executive Officer.
As a Divisional Coordinator, I support the operations of the Ireland, UK and Americas division, liaising with Embassies and Consulates, managing correspondence, tracking priorities, and ensuring policy alignment. I help maintain the division’s workflow, coordinate information flow, and assist in the preparation of briefing materials. It’s a dynamic, detail-oriented role that requires discretion and diplomacy.
I am a qualified lawyer in Brazil, specialising in administrative, family, and consumer law. I also trained as a mediator and conciliator. After moving to Ireland in 2017, I gained brief experience in immigration law and completed an Advanced Diploma in Legal Secretary.
I joined the DFA as a TCO, moved to a permanent CO role, and am now an Executive Officer coordinating a key division. Each step brought more responsibilities and opportunities to connect with Ireland’s international relations.
Read More About EmillyEligibility
On the closing date of 23rd February 2026 to be eligible for consideration, a candidate must satisfy the following requirements:
- Possess a Leaving Certificate at Level 4 or above; or hold a minimum Level 4 qualification, major or minor award on the National Framework of Qualifications.
- In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate the Capability Framework identified for effective performance at this level.
The Capability Framework
Executive Officer
Building
Future Readiness
Leading and
Empowering
Leading, Supporting
& Developing
Leading with
Specialist Insight
Capability:
Behaviours
Skills
Strengths
Knowledge
Values
Motivation
Interests
Evidence
Informed Delivery
Delivering
Excellence
Managing Information,
Problems & Decisions
Communicating
and Collaborating
Building
Future
Readiness
Leading
and
Empowering
Leading, Supporting
& Developing
Leading with
Specialist Insight
Capability:
Behaviours
Skills
Strengths
Knowledge
Values
Motivation
Interests
Evidence
Informed
Delivery
Delivering Excellence
Managing Information
Problems & Decisions
Communicating
and Collaborating
Building Future Readiness
Delivering excellent public policy and services requires us to embrace change and innovation. We strive to create an inclusive customer centric strategy and vision that keeps pace with environmental, social and technological changes. Adopting an agile and digital-first approach, we will continually upskill, change and improve how we do things to meet current and future demands.
Digital Focus
- Maximises the use of technology and digital skills to drive efficiencies and support better service delivery
Openness to Change
- Shows interest and openness to change, innovation and new technology or processes, actively exploring the practicalities and providing feedback or suggestions
- Willing to try new approaches, seeking support when needed and openly sharing and learning from mistakes
Innovation & Creative Solutions
- Actively puts forward innovative ideas, creative solutions or helpful suggestions
Upskilling for the Future
- Enthusiastic about development opportunities, demonstrating a positive attitude, openness to feedback and willingness to learn
- Committed to improving knowledge and skills for the future
- Aware of own strengths and development areas
Key Skills Examples
- IT and digital skills
- Digital Literacy
- Process Improvement
- Innovation
Evidence Informed Delivery
Delivering excellent public policy and services requires us to make evidence based and well-informed judgements and decisions, prioritise objectives and effectively manage resources, using relevant information to evaluate the delivered outcome to ensure maximum benefit for the people we serve.
Delivering Excellence
Managing Work Effectively
- Manages, plans and prioritises workload to ensure targets and deadlines are met
- Works in a systematic, organised and efficient manner
- Has good oversight of their teams work and puts procedures in place to track quality and productivity
- Ensures they have a sufficient workload, seeks additional work and uses appropriate initiative to take on other tasks
Delivering Quality Outcomes & Service
- Delivers high quality standards with excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Ensures high quality, professional customer service, resolving complex issues and queries and prioritising customer experience
Attitude, Initiative & Flexibility
- Demonstrates ownership, initiative and responsibility over work, becoming self-sufficient in their own area of responsibility
- Maintains resilience and a ‘can-do’ attitude when learning new skills or working under pressure, seeking support when needed
- Flexible, agile and resilient in the face of challenges or changing demands
Key Skills Examples
- Customer service
- Project management
- Time management
- Planning and organising
Managing Information, Problems & Decisions
Gathering & Processing Information
- Can gather, understand, utilise and analyse information from a range of different sources
- Manages all information and data carefully, particularly with sensitive or confidential matters
- Correctly processes and interprets verbal information, in a timely manner
- Accurately evaluates numerical information and data, in a timely manner
Problem Solving
- Identifies and solves complex problems, with the support of their team if needed
- Escalates issues appropriately, communicating all relevant information and suggesting possible solutions
Informed Judgement & Decision Making
- Makes balanced judgements and decisions, considering the available information, previous learnings and following the relevant procedures or protocol
- Makes appropriate and timely decisions on matters within own remit, seeking support and referring decisions upward, where necessary
Key Skills Examples
- Working with data
- Report writing skills
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
Leading and Empowering
Delivering excellent public policy and services requires us to lead in our areas of expertise, inspire others and create a clear vision. We are committed to developing, supporting, and empowering our colleagues to meet their potential and to creating a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone's contribution is valued.
Leading, Supporting & Developing
Leading, Developing & Including Others
- Leads, supports and motivates the team to achieve set goals
- Works well with diverse teams, ensuring their colleagues are included, heard, supported and valued
- Offers coaching, guidance and feedback to others to support their development
Empowerment, Trust & Honesty
- Empowers their team and colleagues by delegating tasks and showing trust
- Works with integrity, honesty and accountability
Social & Emotional Awareness
- Prioritises wellbeing for self and others, showing consideration, empathy and support
- Makes an effort to be self-aware and manage own emotions and behaviour, particularly in challenging situations
Key Skills Examples
- Performance management
- Delegation
- Coaching
- Provide feedback
Leading with Specialist Insight
Specialist Expertise & Professional Development
- Develops specialist expertise and knowledge in their area
- Committed to Continuous Professional Development, engaging in relevant courses and activities to keep knowledge up to date
- Builds their expertise through listening and learning from others
Leading & Knowledge Sharing
- Contributes to discussions and decisions by sharing insights and evidence
- Promotes their own area of expertise and understands the value it brings
- Finds opportunities to share or showcase their specialist knowledge
Working Independently
- Comfortable working independently in their area, but also engages with other groups outside of their direct work or team
- Quickly learns what work needs to be done and how to do it, seeking support or guidance when necessary
Key Skills Examples
- Specialist skills in own area of expertise
- Communicating and influencing
- Research skills
Communicating and Collaborating
Delivering excellent public policy and services requires us to work together, build relationships and collaborate enabling a joined up, whole-of-Government approach. Effective engagement and communication with our customers, clients and colleagues will enhance and build trust in our services.
Collaboration, Teamwork & Building Relationships
- Utilises interpersonal skills to build positive and effective working relationships, even in a blended or hybrid working environment
- Strong collaboration and teamworking skills, plays their part and works well with colleagues within and outside of own team
Effective Communication
- Communicates in a clear and appropriate manner verbally, digitally and in writing, adapting approach to suit the audience
- Shares the appropriate level of detail and communicates information in an accessible and understandable format
- Willing to communicate with colleagues at all levels, openly sharing their views, thoughts and concerns
- Manages difficult conversations with professionalism, respect and sensitivity, seeking support when required
Listening, Consulting & Engaging
- Listens to, consults and engages with relevant stakeholders, keeping them informed as necessary
- Appreciates diversity and makes an active effort to listen, consult and engage with a variety of people
Key Skills Examples
- Written skills
- Presenting
- Active listening
- Meeting participation
- Teamwork
- Interpersonal skills
Additional Information
For more information visit the Interview Advice page.