Can you help me find info?

Linda20

Hey!

I was wondering if anyone out there knows how to become an irish ambassador - I can't find any info on it online!

Thanks

3DataModem

To work in an embassy you need to be employed by the Dept of Foreign Affairs... the section is called the "Diplomatic Corps". So it is a public service job. To be an ambassador... well that requires very uniques skills and experience (usually in the relevant country).

They have a pretty good website... Submit a query here: http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=73691

Linda20

Thanks for the info. Btw I hope you aren't implying I don't have the skill, or at least the potential to work as an ambassador in the future ... because I do

Mr. Loverman

Linda20 wrote: »

Thanks for the info. Btw I hope you aren't implying I don't have the skill, or at least the potential to work as an ambassador in the future ... because I do

I'm sure you do, but it's a very competitive area to get into and it's more about who you know rather than what you know.

3DataModem

Linda20 wrote: »

Btw I hope you aren't implying I don't have the skill, or at least the potential to work as an ambassador in the future ... because I do

I bet all the other future ambassadors aren't posting on boards ... or have actually tried research places other than online!







(Just kidding - good luck!)

busman

Linda20 wrote: »

Hey!

I was wondering if anyone out there knows how to become an irish ambassador - I can't find any info on it online!

Thanks

I think you will find that it's one of those cases of not what you know, but who you know!

A bit like becoming a train driver in Ireland, theoretical possible !!!

Start working on those political connection .....

Linda20

thanks for the advice. haha! If I knew where to go to find out information I'd be all over that place Anyway this board happens to be the most helpful info I've received on it so far! Well I'm off to find some big heads to charm! :cool:

Clauric

There are only two ways of becoming an ambassador in the Irish Diplomatic Corp.

1) Apply to the Publics Appointments Commission for a position as a Third Secretary. Assuming you get the job, it will take approximately 20 - 30 years of hard work, interviews, multiple posting abroad (up to 5 years in some "interesting" places), before you are normally considered for the rank of Ambassador. Most people do not get to be Ambassador, and top out at First Secretary or Counsellor rank.

2) Apply to the Public Appointments Commission for a position as a Clerical Officer or Executive Officer. Assuming you get this job, and after serving you probabtionary time at rank, you can apply internally for a diplomatic position within the Deptartment of Foreign Affairs. Depending on your rank at time of transfer, the amount of time you will have to serve will differ. However. most people who transfer into Foreign Affairs, transfer in as normal civil servants, and not Diplomatic Officers, which are a different ranking and employment system (similar to professional grades in OPW, etc).

The normal minimum requirements to enter the Diplomatic Corp are a II.I or higher in a level 8 degree (although a masters wouldn't hurt). The degree should have some relevance to foreign policy (e.g. government and politics, etc). It would also help your case if you spoke Irish, and/or a major European language.

Apart from that, you need perseverance, an understanding partner (you could end up in Kyrgstan or Equatorial Guinea for 5 years), and an ability to work well under pressure (understaffed offices, working at all hours). There is also little reward, or recognition, and it is a very formal work environment with tons of protocol and traditions.

If that is what you are looking for, and think you can make it, I wish you luck.


Before people ask how I know about this, I spent nearly 11 years abroad, before I was 18, while my father was working with the Dept of Foreign Affairs. Since he joined, he has been in Geneva, New York, Beijing, Teheran, Baku, Madrid, Brussels, Toronto, Washington DC, Copenhagen, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, among a long list of places. In a number of cases, he has been in three of those places in a day, or spent more time travelling than in meetings. Of the time he was posted abroad, he would often be leaving the house before 6 am, and not returning until after 10 pm, and then would have to catch up on paperwork. I have seen the same thing happen to my uncle who does a similar job, and their father before them.

If anybody is looking for this job, I would strongly consider what I have said above, before you decide that this is what you want.

Linda20

Clauric wrote: »

There are only two ways of becoming an ambassador in the Irish Diplomatic Corp.

1) Apply to the Publics Appointments Commission for a position as a Third Secretary. Assuming you get the job, it will take approximately 20 - 30 years of hard work, interviews, multiple posting abroad (up to 5 years in some "interesting" places), before you are normally considered for the rank of Ambassador. Most people do not get to be Ambassador, and top out at First Secretary or Counsellor rank.

2) Apply to the Public Appointments Commission for a position as a Clerical Officer or Executive Officer. Assuming you get this job, and after serving you probabtionary time at rank, you can apply internally for a diplomatic position within the Deptartment of Foreign Affairs. Depending on your rank at time of transfer, the amount of time you will have to serve will differ. However. most people who transfer into Foreign Affairs, transfer in as normal civil servants, and not Diplomatic Officers, which are a different ranking and employment system (similar to professional grades in OPW, etc).

The normal minimum requirements to enter the Diplomatic Corp are a II.I or higher in a level 8 degree (although a masters wouldn't hurt). The degree should have some relevance to foreign policy (e.g. government and politics, etc). It would also help your case if you spoke Irish, and/or a major European language.

Apart from that, you need perseverance, an understanding partner (you could end up in Kyrgstan or Equatorial Guinea for 5 years), and an ability to work well under pressure (understaffed offices, working at all hours). There is also little reward, or recognition, and it is a very formal work environment with tons of protocol and traditions.

If that is what you are looking for, and think you can make it, I wish you luck.


Before people ask how I know about this, I spent nearly 11 years abroad, before I was 18, while my father was working with the Dept of Foreign Affairs. Since he joined, he has been in Geneva, New York, Beijing, Teheran, Baku, Madrid, Brussels, Toronto, Washington DC, Copenhagen, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, among a long list of places. In a number of cases, he has been in three of those places in a day, or spent more time travelling than in meetings. Of the time he was posted abroad, he would often be leaving the house before 6 am, and not returning until after 10 pm, and then would have to catch up on paperwork. I have seen the same thing happen to my uncle who does a similar job, and their father before them.

If anybody is looking for this job, I would strongly consider what I have said above, before you decide that this is what you want.

WOW thanks for this advice - I get the impression this job varies hugely from country to country - a french friend of mine is following his Mum into this area and reckons it's a nice enough job - but then he prob has the connections to keep the rough work to a minimum ... from your irish experience, how good of a start is a law and german degree (fluent german at this stage and basic french so far. I've heard of people going straight out of college to 22 grand a year ... sounds like a nice start to me!

Clauric

Law and German, with a II.I or above with be very useful. I know of at least 3 barristers who were called to the bar but opted for Foreign Affairs. The pay is better than 22k per year. I believe it starts around 35k or so. Remember, it is also a question of which section you end up in. If you go onto the website, it will give you an idea of what each section covers (e.g. Protocol, Political, Security, Northern Ireland, etc). The other thing to remember is, that even though you might have a degree in German, there is no guarantee that you will be posted to a German speaking country. My father was a fluent French speaker when he joined. Now speaks Flemish, French, Spanish fluently, and moderate German, and Italian, and a smattering of Russian, and Chinese.

gollem_1975

from personal experience of doing the 3rd secretary entrance examinations a couple of times along with the many thousands of other hopefuls I can tell you its not easy to become a 3rd sec let alone an ambassador ( but it doesn't cost anything to take these examinations so if you're not in you can't win )

It sounds like you want to be an ambassador because of the foreign travel and it sounding like a "nice cushy job" rather than any desire/vocation to represent Ireland / provide consular assistance to irish citizens abroad... though neither are pre-requisites for the civil service so don't worry about that

however if you really want to represent Ireland you could go to a country where ireland doesn't already have an ambassador/embassy and set yourself up as the honorary counsel.