Higher Executive Officer in the Civil Service

Higher Executive Officer Header

Higher
Executive
Officer

Applications for this competition closed on Thursday, 10th September 2026.

Information in relation to Stage 1 (Online Assessments) will issue to candidates on Thursday 8th October 2026.

Online Assessments are due to take place between Thursday 15th October and Thursday 22nd October. Please be aware that extension requests to the Online Assessment deadline cannot be granted.

Stage 1 (Online Assessments) results will be issued to candidates at the end of November.

About the Role

The Higher Executive Officer (HEO) role requires individuals who can balance operational leadership with strong analytical skills, sound judgement and a clear commitment to public service values. HEOs are experienced middle managers who play a critical role in leading teams, managing delivery and supporting departmental and cross‑government priorities. Reporting to an Assistant Principal Officer, HEOs play a key role in implementing policy and strategy and in delivering a world class service to the State and to the people of Ireland.

Acting as a vital link between senior management and operational teams, their work ensures the effective implementation of policy, reform, and service delivery on the ground and provides support in managing large projects, budgets and developing government policy. They are expected to operate confidently in complex environments, represent their area in cross‑departmental and senior‑level settings, and ensure the effective implementation of policies, programmes and services while managing resources responsibly.

HEOs in the Civil Service contribute to the Renewal 2030 Strategy and the Better Public Services programme, helping to realise a vision of a more unified, professional, responsive, open and accountable Civil Service that delivers a world‑class service to the State and the people of Ireland. The Civil Service is now recruiting for suitably qualified and committed individuals to take up the role of HEO. This is an exciting opportunity for talented and enthusiastic individuals who are looking to embrace new challenges, do purposeful work and make a real difference to the Irish State and its people.

Reasons To Apply


As well as a rewarding and challenging career, some of the benefits of working as a HEO include:

  • Competitive salary, starting at €60,029 with yearly increments for satisfactory performance;
  • 29 days of annual leave per year;
  • Public Sector pension;
  • Opportunities for promotion through internal, interdepartmental and open competitions;
  • Subject to business needs and a satisfactory probationary period;
    • Flexible working with a commitment to work-life balance and a family-friendly workplace (including work-sharing arrangements and a wide variety of special leave options);
    • Facility to apply for Shorter Working Year Scheme;
    • Facility to apply for career breaks;
    • Learning and development opportunities;
  • Access to well-being programmes to support a healthy work-life balance;
  • Opportunity to avail of the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme, and the tax saver public transport pass;
  • Opportunity to join the Public Service Credit Union;
  • Contribute to purposeful work that positively impacts citizens, communities, and society.

Competition Timeline

Online Assessments

Online Assessments

October 2026.

Shortlisting

Shortlisting

December 2026.

Interview

Interview

January 2027.

Panel & Clearance Checks

Panel & Clearance Checks

February 2027.

Candidate Support Centre

Higher Executive Officer in the Civil Service FAQs




You will be invited to complete online assessments in the first stage of the process, in order to assess the large volume of applications and provide an equal opportunity to each applicant. Your score at this stage will determine your Order of Merit, or ranking, as compared to all other applicants, and will affect the pace at which you may progress to later stages of the recruitment process.




The duration of a recruitment process depends primarily on the number of candidate applications received. It is expected that this competition will be active for a two-year period, and will follow a demand-led approach to recruitment. This means, candidates can be called forward to the next stage of the process over the course of this period. The number of candidates called forward to any stage is based on the volume of vacancies identified by departments. The number of vacancies received can vary across locations




Although the majority of vacancies arising over the lifetime of the panel are expected to be located in the wider Dublin area, a limited number of vacancies may arise in some regional locations which may also be filled from this panel.

Discover Our Higher Executive Officers

Meet Rebecca

Rebecca
publicjobs

What I enjoy most about being a HEO is the balance between leading people and having the autonomy to make a difference. I enjoy being able to identify where something could work better, bring forward ideas and see those ideas genuinely considered and put into practice.

I particularly value supporting and developing colleagues, whether they want to progress their careers or simply grow and stay engaged in the role they are in. I also love the variety of the role and the opportunity to work with people across different teams, grades and areas of the organisation and the wider sector.

I am a huge advocate for a career in the Public Sector and genuinely believe there is a role to suit almost every interest, skill set and stage of life. It’s something I wish I had pursued sooner and would recommend to people of all ages and backgrounds.

In particular, I think it offers an incredible foundation for young people leaving school or college who are looking to build a meaningful, long-term career.

Read More About Rebecca

Meet Chantelle

Chantelle
Department of Finance

I joined the civil service first as a temporary clerical officer (TCO), and then a permanent clerical officer (CO) in 2018. I was the CO in the Economics Division in the Department of Finance and progressed through promotion to HEO in 2024 in my current role.

Prior to my career in the civil service in Ireland, I was a civil servant in South Africa on Assistant Principal Officer level, before moving from South Africa to Ireland in 2006.

Communication through email, Teams and phone calls is vital in my role. Strict deadlines are a weekly target. We also work closely with the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance’s office and professional protocol is of utmost importance.

A career in the public service offers good work-life balance, great financial and other benefits, many study and career opportunities, support from managers, great and fair HR practices all within an interesting and challenging work environment.

Read More About Chantelle

Meet Hilary

Hilary
Department of Social Protection

My role combines leadership, service delivery, staff development and operational management. I manage performance, support staff, analyse service delivery trends and ensure customers receive a high-quality service while maintaining strong compliance and governance standards.

I am particularly proud of my involvement in the Engagement & Innovation Anti-Racism Project Leadership Team and initiatives that promote a more inclusive workplace. I hope that sharing my own journey encourages others from under-represented backgrounds to recognise that careers in the public service are both accessible and achievable.

When I arrived in Ireland, I faced physical disability barriers, limited IT skills, and no clear career path. However, through a FÁS case officer's guidance, public service support, education, and continuous development, I built a fulfilling career and reached a leadership role.

Since joining the Civil Service, I have progressed from Executive Officer to Higher Executive Officer and Intreo Centre Manager, led a team of 15 staff, contributed to social inclusion initiatives, delivered digital transformation projects and influenced governance improvements adopted across multiple Intreo offices. My journey is proof that the system works and that public services can empower people to realise their potential.

Read More About Hilary

Meet Yvonne

Yvonne
Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

My day-to-day role as a Higher Executive Officer centres on providing structured leadership, strong governance and operational oversight across the Community Recognition Fund and the Community Centre Investment Fund making a real difference to local communities nationwide.

The role requires impactful staff development, decisive analytical judgement and strong communication excellence. Confident stakeholder engagement and unwavering professional integrity underpin trusted public service leadership.

I enjoy working collaboratively and being part of a team that can make a meaningful difference in our communities. I value the opportunity to share my experiences, support and encourage others to reach their full potential and promote the importance of health and wellbeing, education and continued personal and professional development.

I find it particularly rewarding to encourage people to recognise opportunities for progression and to support them in achieving their goals.

Read More About Yvonne

The Capability Framework

Higher Executive Officer

Building
Future Readiness

Digital Focus, Innovation
& Upskilling for the Future


Strategic Awareness &
Change

Leading and
Empowering

Leading, Motivating
& Developing


Leading with
Specialist Insight

Capability:

Behaviours

Skills

Strengths

Knowledge

Values

Motivation

Interests

Evidence
Informed Delivery

Delivering
Excellence


Analysis, Judgement
& Decision Making

Communicating
and Collaborating

Communicating
& Influencing


Engaging
& Collaborating

Building
Future
Readiness

Digital Focus, Innovation
& Upskilling for the Future

Leading
&
Empowering

Leading,
Motivating
& Developing


Strategic, Awareness
& Change


Leading with
Specialist Insight

Capability:

Behaviours

Skills

Strengths

Knowledge

Values

Motivation

Interests

Evidence
Informed
Delivery

Delivering Excellence


Analysis, Judgement
& Decision Making

Communicating
& Collaborating

Communicating
& Influencing


Engaging &
Collaborating

Additional Information

For more information visit the Interview Advice page.

To download the Capability Framework (PDF or plaintext accessible version)
please click below: