Job Title:Secretary GeneralEmployer:Department of Justice, Home Affairs and MigrationCounty:DublinClosing Date:3pm, Thursday, 12th February 2026Salary:€261,762About the Employer: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.Operating either directly or under its aegis, are some of the key institutions of the State – including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Irish Prison Service, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Legal Aid Board. A number of oversight, inspection and regulatory bodies come within the remit of the Department including the Data Protection Commission, the Gambling Regulatory Authority, the Policing and Community Safety Authority, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority. The Department leads on policy, strategic direction and budget negotiation across the sector.About the Role: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.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 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.Much of the agenda requires cross-Departmental engagement, and contributing to whole of Government objectives, and the Secretary General will also need to ensure that the Department is an active and effective participant in cross-cutting policy and implementation. The Secretary General will actively participate in the leadership of the broader public service reform agenda.The Secretary General, in conjunction with the senior management team, will be responsible for leading and ensuring completion of modernisation programmes, both existing and new, within the Department, as well as providing strategic leadership across the sector and with colleague Secretaries General, including through the Civil Service Management Board and the Public Service Leadership Board.About You:The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:• Proven ability to lead a large organisation and network of agencies in a complex and demanding environment;• 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;• 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.The Closing Date for this competition is Thursday, 12th of February at 3pm.We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.