The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is seeking an exceptional senior leader to fill a newly created Deputy Secretary post with responsibility for Civil Justice & Operations. This is one of the most significant Deputy Secretary roles currently available in the Irish Civil Service, offering the opportunity to shape national policy across criminal justice, civil law, immigration, cyber security, and corporate governance at the highest level.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Secretary General and operating as a key member of the Management Board, the Deputy Secretary for Civil Justice & Operations will contribute to the overall mission and strategic direction of the Department. The postholder will have six direct reports at Assistant Secretary level and one at Director level, with lead responsibility for the following functional areas:
- Civil Governance
- Civil Legislation & Policy
- European Affairs
- Change, Technology & Innovation
- Corporate
- Finance and Operations
- Transparency
About the Organisation
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration holds overall responsibility for public policy in respect of criminal justice, public safety, national security, civil and family law, immigration and international protection, cyber security, and data protection. It employs over 4,600 people directly, operates with a budget of approximately €2.7 billion, and sets the strategic direction for a wider justice sector comprising more than 27,000 people with an operating budget in excess of €6 billion.
The Department has significant international reach, with more than 50 officers posted across 11 Irish embassies and missions on four continents. Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026 places the Department at the centre of more than 20 Working Groups across the Justice and Home Affairs and Telecommunications Ministerial Councils. The Department also manages the largest volume of legislation drafted across Government annually.
Key Responsibilities
The Deputy Secretary for Civil Justice & Operations will be expected to:
- Provide strategic leadership across the full range of functional areas under their remit, driving performance, reform, and accountability at the highest level of the Civil Service
- Act as a senior adviser to Ministers, providing authoritative policy counsel and steering strategic direction across complex, interconnected public policy areas
- Lead significant organisational change initiatives, including cultural and technological transformation, in a dynamic and frequently pressurised environment
- Engage at the highest level with a wide range of domestic and international bodies, including EU institutions, state agencies, and relevant interest groups
- Exercise sound judgement on complex, inter-linked policy issues, balancing the broader public policy and political context with operational delivery
- Champion the Department’s values of openness, collaboration, and professionalism, and contribute to its vision of a safe, fair, and inclusive Ireland
Requirements & Qualifications
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A proven record of accomplishment as a leader and senior manager, with experience of leading large or complex organisations
- A strong track record in the leadership and delivery of change — including cultural change — within a complex organisation operating under sustained pressure
- Demonstrated capacity to provide sound, high-quality advice to Ministers and to navigate the political and public policy dimensions of a senior role
- Career history evidencing sound judgement across a range of complex, inter-linked public policy areas, and a measured approach to assessing alternative courses of action
- The ability to build and sustain effective relationships at the highest level with state bodies, international institutions, and relevant stakeholder organisations
Salary
€221,451 per annum (Deputy Secretary, PPC — Civil Service Consolidated Salary Scales). This is a single-point scale at Senior Public Service level.
Location
Dublin. The postholder will be based at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in Dublin, operating at the centre of national policy development and public administration. The role involves significant engagement with domestic and international stakeholders, including EU institutions during Ireland’s 2026 Council Presidency.
Contract Type
Permanent, Full-Time.
Application Details
This is a Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) competition managed by publicjobs.ie. Full details, including the Candidate Information Booklet and application form, are available at www.publicjobs.ie.
Reference: Vacancy ID 6097 / TLAC 879
To apply, candidates should submit a completed TLAC Application Form along with a Senior Executive CV in accordance with the guidance provided. Application materials are available to download from the publicjobs listing page.
Informal Enquiries
For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact:
Ciarán Oman
Email: ciaran.oman@publicjobs.ie
