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Open First Secretary DFA 2021

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 357 ✭✭LegallyAbroad


    It's Open and Interdepartmental.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭Ahshurlookit


    Would I be right in thinking there would be very few jobs up for grabs from this competition? How many first secretary posts are in DFA?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 77 ✭✭Protoman


    Think I read somewhere that the DFA is the 'oldest' department in terms of average age; probably a lot of retirements coming up with current 1st secs being bumped up. It's also the point in people's careers where after a few postings the job has lost its luster and people with families either move to other departments or leave the civil service altogether.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,119 ✭✭✭job seeker


    What grade would this be comparable to? I'm assuming EO?

    By the way what qualifications do you need? It doesn't appear to outline any or did I just miss it?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 jnap


    Definitely not EO, judging by pay and responsibilities it looks like it's equivalent to AP.

    You're right though it doesn't appear to outline any qualification requirements, but I'm guessing significant experience is needed.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 279 ✭✭HartsHat


    Yes, relative to an AP competition in the general CS there is very few. You're probably talking about an open panel of 20-25.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 Kagi


    It is the diplomatic grade equivalent to AP.

    (Third Secretary: AO/HEO First Secretary: AP Counsellor: PO)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20 tippgal84


    What level of experience would be expected of someone coming from the private sector?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 77 ✭✭Protoman


    It's a bit opaque, but I'd imagine a few years managing people and projects would be what they are looking for. Specialist experience and knowledge in international relations / legal would be huge boost for an 'outsider.' A lot of third secs that fail to get promoted internally go this route and would have a natural advantage, as would folks from other departments who know the civil service patter and the way to play the game in these competitions. Hiring at this grade is still a relatively new phenomenon for the DFA, it would be interesting to know the profile of those who came from the private sector with no civil service background and the percentage makeup of same from the open intakes.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 95 ✭✭Minifox


    Hi guys,

    Has anyone been called to the next stage yet? I know the application stage only closed last Thursday but I keep getting emails from PAS asking me to complete a feedback form. The way some of the questions are phrased makes it sound like the competition is over.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 marley83


    I haven’t heard anything yet either. It might be a bit early for feedback.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6 DavidM1234


    No. I've heard nothing yet. Not even a feedback form to complete.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 marley83


    Results are out. The next step for those shortlisted, is a video interview.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6 Monkeyknowsbest


    Congrats marley83.

    I narrowly missed out by a mark do you think they might go further down the list at some stage?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 marley83


    Thanks :)

    I have no idea, sorry! I'm used to the AP competitions, where they usually go further down the list. But I'm not used to the First Sec competitions.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 95 ✭✭Minifox


    Well done, Marley, and commiserations to Monkeyknowsbest.

    Missed it by 2 points myself, which is closer than I thought I'd get.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 112 ✭✭Avenger2020


    How do u know ur score/placing if u passed? Do they rate each competency?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 marley83


    If you pass, they don't provide your score or placing - neither by competency nor overall scores.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 112 ✭✭Avenger2020


    How the hell can I prepare for this? I’ve never done one before! To get all my background in in 1 minute 30 seconds and then to pick an example of leadership. Any ideas how to approach it? What level of leadership example are they looking for?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22 marley83


    The questions are very similar to the application form. Does anyone know if you can use an example in the video interview that was also used in the application? Thanks!



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 firstsechopeful


    Not a problem to use the same example, as far as I know.

    Hope we get the results soon!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 112 ✭✭Avenger2020


    Hi. Does anyone know if we can apply for extensions due to Covid? My nose is completely blocked and I can’t talk for long periods.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 firstsechopeful


    You could call PAS to ask but I'd say it's unlikely.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 toryumon


    Hopefully we all hear back on the video interview soon.

    Anyone know about the final interview?

    Would be good to know what sort of questions they’ll have for us.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 firstsechopeful


    They usually take about three weeks to process the video interviews. I'd expect two weeks' notice of the final interview after that.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 hippo24


    Does anyone know how many more stages there are and what they consist of?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 792 ✭✭✭Xofpod


    Likely to be just the video interview and the full final interview if recent external DFA comps are anything to go by.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 hippo24


    Thanks Xofpod for the insight. I presume the full final interview can be done via video too for those abroad?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 792 ✭✭✭Xofpod


    All interviews via video (Zoom) seems to be standard practice now



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 Embir78


    Will we be requested to do an aptitude or etray test like in other public jobs competitions? Also, do public jobs ask for presentations or similar to be included as part of the interview? I’m coming from the private sector, so this is my first public sector job application so I’m not sure what to expect! I know this is an open competition, but really how many non DFA people actually get these jobs?

    It’s agonizing how long they take to give results/feedback, and how short the preparation time feels when you’re working full time!



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