The Secretary General is the Administrative Head of the Department, the Accounting Officer and has overall management responsibility for the quality of the advice submitted to the Minister. They are responsible for providing advice to the Minister(s), for ensuring the effective implementation of policy, for the overall stewardship of the Department, and is accountable for the proper discharge of the Exchequer allocated to the Department. The Secretary General is also the Accounting Officer of the Prison Service Vote.
If you think you are the right match for the following opportunity, apply after reading the complete description.
Main Duties of the job
This senior position requires the office holder to take responsibility for the strategic leadership of the Department. This will involve focusing on delivery of the Department’s key policies and strategies, in particular the Programme for Government and the Statement of Strategy 2025-2028.
The Secretary General will also set the tone, leading an organisation with strong culture and values. These include a public service ethos of independence, integrity and impartiality, a commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal treatment of all of its people, a culture of accountability, transparency, efficiency and value for money and high standards of professionalism, openness and collaboration.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
A proven ability to lead a large organisation and network of agencies in a complex and demanding environment;
A record of accomplishment in their career to date demonstrating excellent senior management and leadership experience and a strong record of delivery in a large complex organisation;
A track record of clear strategic thinking and decisive decision making in pressurised situations, with the ability to lead strategic innovation;
The ability to anticipate, manage change and deliver in a complex, fast-moving environment;
Very strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the capacity to manage critical relationships using judgement, vision and leadership. They will have the ability to operate effectively at the highest level, including establishing relationships with Ministers and senior members of Government, and with heads of Agencies and other Government Departments/ Bodies;
Knowledge of, or the capacity to acquire quickly, a broad understanding of the Department’s wide range of responsibilities at national and international level;
The ability to formulate and communicate a long-term vision for the Department and the sector.
Information about the Organisation
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has overall responsibility for public policy at a national level in respect of criminal justice, public safety, national security, civil and family law, immigration issues including international protection processing and accommodation, cyber security and data protection policy. Its vision is a safe, fair, inclusive Ireland, achieved through working together, in keeping with the organisation’s values, to advance community and national security, promote justice and safeguard human rights.
In 2026, the Department is responsible for over 4,600 people, with a budget of approx. €2.7 billion. It also sets the strategic direction for the wider Justice sector which comprises more than 27,000 people with an operating budget of over €6 billion.
Selection Process Details
This is a Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) position. xsokbrc
Further information on this significant opportunity including details on how to apply, is available on our website via the button below.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 12th February, 2026.
If you feel you would benefit from a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Ciarán Oman at
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.