Open First Secretary DFA 2021

Kagi

Just opened…

https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/?option=com_jobsearch&view=jobdetails&cid=144225&campaignId=21310101

LegallyAbroad

It's Open and Interdepartmental.

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?

Protoman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093038#Comment_118093038

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.

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?

jnap

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118096424#Comment_118096424

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.

HartsHat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093038#Comment_118093038

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.

Kagi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118096424#Comment_118096424

It is the diplomatic grade equivalent to AP.

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

tippgal84

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

Protoman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118113483#Comment_118113483

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.

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.

marley83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118211662#Comment_118211662

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

DavidM1234

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

marley83

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

Monkeyknowsbest

Congrats marley83.

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

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.

Minifox

Well done, Marley, and commiserations to Monkeyknowsbest.

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

Avenger2020

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

marley83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118362332#Comment_118362332

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

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?

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!

firstsechopeful

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118415780#Comment_118415780

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

Hope we get the results soon!

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.

firstsechopeful

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118448631#Comment_118448631

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

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.

firstsechopeful

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118461511#Comment_118461511

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

hippo24

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

Xofpod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118465908#Comment_118465908

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

hippo24

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118468007#Comment_118468007

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

Xofpod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118469178#Comment_118469178

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

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!