NEW 2020 Assistant Principal Officer Competition

Hi Rainbowstar

I was inter-d only for this one. Im delighted but also anxious, as I have only worked in my current dept and just finished a degree relevant to it. And the thought of going to AP level in a dept that I have no knowledge in is a bit scary.

I have an Assistant Principal Higher interview coming up. Interestingly, they sent me out the names of my interviewers, which is something I was never sent before an interview before. One of them I know as they were a friend of somebody close to me (albeit I haven't seen that person in c. 9 years). Do I just ignore this and show up, or what's the procedure?

Also, would anybody have advice for this AP Higher interview? It will be almost an hour in length. Thanks.

you're not related so there is no conflict of interest, just a nice hello

Not much at the moment in my regions. Have to say as an external candidate who scored really well and paneled well, I'm very disillusioned with the process. In one of my regions all 3 of the appointments made were all from the interdepartmental panel. So I had zero chance at all here.

In the other region it's a 30% open and 70% inter-d split. I'd have been appointed in both regions if it was different.

Now I know the majority of people going for the Open AP are serving Civil Servants and that this is great for most, I've family and friends at HEO and AP level.

However, why run an open competition at all if you don't want external people? Like why not just run internal comps? Really did not think it was this way or I wouldn't have given it so much time last year. Anyway, you live and learn.

No this is definitely not the case as I know there have been appointments off the inder-d panel that scored lower than me and were placed below me on the open panel. I also know that appointments were made off the inter-d panel leaving the top few scoring on the Open (the top in the competition) still sitting on the panel. It's very disappointing. Local authorities for example, when hiring directly, always state clearly that they have an inter panel and an open and that only 20% or so of positions will go to external candidates. At least they are clear about that. You know your chances are limited if external.

No one seems to know how the Open AP panels work, but I am certainly gathering a good idea.

Inters just move quicker due to the ratio, I wouldn’t look at it as these people scoring less than you as you’re not on the same panel. It’s just the way it works. Local authorities have to state that as they run the one panel and people will be frog leaped. No one below you on your panel will be placed before you

When you say ratio what do you mean? Just I can't seem to get any info on the ratio of appointments, even from PAS who to be fair, are fairly responsive. I understand that someone who scored lower than me on the Open panel if appointed from the Inder-d negates the direct comparison. However, as I said above, when all appointments are off the inter-d with the top scoring in the competition left remaining on the Open Panel, I find that very disappointing. If that was clear at the outset, if there were defined ratios etc then fine. But there seems to be no clear and fair system to me. I wish all serving CS's the best as I have family and good pals working in various departments. I just wish I had known 6 months ago how limited my chances of appointment were in spite of doing really well. I had gotten my hopes up only to be then let down. But sure onwards and upwards eh!

When/where did PAS say that? I'm going by (admittedly half-remembered) CPSU/Fórsa circulars, but there's also this: https://www.irishtimes.com/business/civil-service-should-have-more-open-recruitment-board-rules-1.2295071 - pretty sure 1:1:1 was implemented.

They said it in an email to me in a direct question about the ratio of appointments between panels. They seemed to infer that it's down to the Department's request which panel they pull from. To be honest, i think some more structured Departments operate on a 70/30 ratio (as per the guidelines and that article) and some just do whatever they want. I don't think it is strictly enforced at all. Hardly likely to be an issue when it only really affects the odd external candidate like me!

The vast majority of government departments and bigger agencies are headquartered in Dublin, so it makes sense. And when they have staff wanting to transfer "back home" and on mobility/internal transfer lists for years, it's understandable they'll get preference over new entrants from a panel.

Would anyone have a copy of the information booklet for this Open 2020 comp? I had it saved on my laptop but that's now broken.

I see there are links at the start of the thread to the circular for the inter-d, but it's really the open one that I need sight of. Thanks a mill in advance.

Hi I know I'm dragging up an old thread here so apologies. I've just pannelled for the AP 2021 campaign. I'm very daunted by taking on the role currently work outside civil service but in public sector at heo level. Can I ask for those of you who have recently been promoted how has the change been. If you prefer to DM me that's fine. I currently work 4 day week so the reality of going back full time to a higher level position in potentially a very different sector is making me anxious. Appreciate any perspectives on this, many thanks!