Third Secretary Campaign 2022

readoutloud · 01-12-2022 1:50pm

I'm well into my 30s and delighted to make the panel. I won't be overly stressed about my age.

On a different note, what comes next? Will a group be called for clearance altogether? Or have some people been called already?

I know it will be a bit of a ways off but it would be nice to have an idea of start dates - will it be 2 months or 6?

dory · 02-12-2022 9:00pm

It's totally normal to be a 3rd Sec in your 30s / 40s. People are coming to the civil service later, especially diplomatic roles. And to those who don't make the panel - remember you can basically do all the work of a 3rd sec as a regular civil service person in DFA (granted, I don't know how much of a choice you'll have about which department you're in, but those with languages/relevant skills seem to end up in DFA, can always reapply later with experience).

user20101 · 05-12-2022 1:01pm

Has anyone been called up yet? Or know when the first batch are expected to be called ?

readoutloud · 05-12-2022 1:53pm

I've heard anything. I'd love to know how many they will call in the first batch. Not sure if I'll be high enough on the panel for that but it would be nice.

Does anyone know how many people applied overall this time round?

KRedzer · 05-12-2022 2:05pm

No idea as of yet, but I checked the 2020 thread and it wasn't until two weeks after results that the first people were called for clearance. Fingers crossed they'll get the ball rolling sooner rather than later.

readoutloud · 06-12-2022 9:22pm

I've been called for clearance!

user20101 · 06-12-2022 11:13pm

Yes, me too !

EmeraldPower · 11-12-2022 3:08am

Would you mind telling me what number you both were on the OOM? Trying to get an idea of how far down the panel they have gone in the first call up, and how long it might be until I hear from them.

KRedzer · 11-12-2022 4:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119982488#Comment_119982488

They called the first 15 for clearance documents.

readoutloud · 04-01-2023 8:44pm

FWIW, I have been assigned to the DFA and given my start date.

Clearance didn't take too long but the Christmas break probably slowed things a little.

Hopefully those of you waiting will get good news soon!

user20101 · 04-01-2023 11:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120066155#Comment_120066155

Congrats! glad to hear things are moving along.

I’m still waiting to hear back but Garda vetting was completed fairly promptly, hopefully I’ll get an update before the end of the week.

exitstageleft · 18-01-2023 5:03pm

Any more new / future Third Secs get assigned or start their new roles? I'd be interested to hear what they make of them. The role has a certain glamour from the international travel aspect but I wonder what the day to day head office stuff is like. I'd love to hear how you get on!

KRedzer · 18-01-2023 5:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120125275#Comment_120125275

(Im)patiently waiting on them to start calling for clearance documents for the second batch from the first panel, so would also be interested in hearing if the first 15 have been placed yet.

KRedzer · 20-01-2023 3:08pm

For anyone interested, and has a interest/background in the International Development (Irish Aid) side of the DFA, the specialist grade that is analogous to Third Sec just opened for applications. Last time out they did Third Sec and DSO in the same competition so the process might be quite similar. Looks like a great role.

Development Specialist Officer | Department of Foreign Affairs - publicjobs.ie

lucat · 20-01-2023 3:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134322#Comment_120134322

In case anyone is wondering, the Public Appointments Service told me there would be no salary-matching if you are coming from the civil or public service for the third sec role. It's starting pay only. Because of this I did not apply, and I'd say they won't match salary in this competition either. The difference is now they want a few years of quite specialised experience.

I do wonder what impact this rule must be having on the staff profile in the Department. They must be losing a lot of good candidates who self-select out before applying, which is something they'd have no way to be aware of.

exitstageleft · 21-01-2023 12:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134534#Comment_120134534

Hey Lucat. I'm fairly sure this is not correct. I don't think you receive the same benefits you might on promotion to a new role, but you don't drop salary. I don't think this happens anywhere in the civil service.

Might be better to try find out from DFA directly if this is this case though. Or ask a First or Third Sec who served in the wider civil service previously.

dory · 21-01-2023 11:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134534#Comment_120134534

They still get over 1,000 candidates for each 3rd sec campaign. So while they must lose a lot of good candidates. They still have quite a pool to choose from. A lot live at home / get help from the bank of mum-and-dad.

I don't understand how DSO / 3rd Sec is at the same level as HEO, yet the HEO scale starts at €52k and this job advert says €35k. Anyone know the reason for that?

exitstageleft · 21-01-2023 7:20pm

Same for all AO grades. I think because they were originally training roles that came from when the path to higher management level was all but guaranteed. Not sure the logic holds up anymore.

The increments are much bigger than HEO and the end of the scale matches up.

exitstageleft · 24-01-2023 3:34pm

This Development Specialist role looks interesting. I wonder what the differences in responsibility are between it and a normal Third Sec role. Will it mainly affect an officers eventual posting abroad? Can any existing DS or TS shed some light?

dory · 24-01-2023 7:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120151105#Comment_120151105

There are many different departments in DFA. And basically, DSOs and DSs only work in DCAD / Irish Aid. When in Ireland you'll be working on development things, might be in Civil Society or the Humanitarian unit. When abroad you'll be in one of Ireland's key partner countries. There are some very few exceptions, a role here and there in New York or the OECD in Paris. But they're v hard to get. You'll be living in whichever are the key development countries at that time (they're on the website).

I'd love to apply. But couldn't take the €30k pay cut and still pay my bills.

exitstageleft · 24-01-2023 8:34pm

Thanks @dory for the insight. Sounds fascinating but I'm not sure it's the role for me.

Good luck to those applying!

glass159 · 28-01-2023 11:27pm

Do you know if it’s possible for DSO’s to move to the Diplomat route, or is it better to start as a third sec?

dory · 28-01-2023 11:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120171454#Comment_120171454

Yes you can apply for the 1st Sec competition. I’m not sure if you’d have to apply for the open competition (crazy competitive), or if you’d be considered an internal candidate. Either way you’d need a lot of experience to get a 1st sec role.

ShatterResistant · 29-01-2023 3:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120134534#Comment_120134534

Hi Lucat,

I'd be quite surprised if that was the case, see circular 08/2019 below:

https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/70794/1e25748a8e60479c9d5ef96783018e1d.pdf#page=null

Definitely worth checking up with DFA HR before making any decisions without clarification of course.

Singleissueuser · 30-01-2023 10:38pm

Hi all, just wondering has anyone been called for second round interviews? I scored 37 on OOM after precis exercise so wondering if I should expect a call at some stage.

agoodusername · 31-01-2023 12:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120179716#Comment_120179716

I've around the same score and no news yet at all. I wonder if we'll get a message stating that anyone with a score of say, 39 or higher gets a call or if we'll be left in the dark until it's our turn?

Singleissueuser · 31-01-2023 8:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120180144#Comment_120180144

I have a feeling we'll hear nothing until it's our turn. I think in the 2020 campaign people who had 37 and above got called in the second batch, so here's hoping!

exitstageleft · 31-01-2023 9:32pm

From what I've read previously in these 3rd Sec forums, there were a lot of people taken on in the last few recruitment campaigns. Seems to have slowed up posting times so that people are spending 3 years waiting to go abroad. That's a whole lot of Dublin for someone with designs on a lush tropical posting!

Anyway, for anyone who has started, I'd be interested to hear if the role is meeting expectations.

KRedzer · 02-02-2023 12:02am

Got called for clearance documents today at OOM 21, very happy.

Hopefully that means they’ll be clearing the first panel soon and will get cracking on a second panel from stage two before long.

agoodusername · 02-02-2023 12:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120183916#Comment_120183916

Looking at the thread for the last competition, comments #326 and #327 indicate that there were over a 100 completing the precis exercise because it was stage 3 for them, don't know how many of the 206+ who reached stage 2 actually passed which is very unfortunate, but clearly it was less than the 251+ in the 2022 edition.

Yeah sadly we'll never know if 37 was the minimum for stage two, just had a look through and comment #645 indicated that 31 and higher in their Precis exercise went to interview. From comment #652 anyone over 29 was asked for an expression of interest, #676 claims that those with a score higher than 30 were called, and #681 says scorers below 30 were interviewed.

If anyone from within the DFA/CS or those with more experience of these competitions could expand on this, it would be really appreciated

Third Secretary Campaign 2022

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