Deputy Secretary

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 the organisation's values which are to operate in an open, collaborative and professional manner.

This newly created Deputy Secretary post will report to the Secretary General and operate as a key member of the Management Board, contributing to the overall mission and strategic direction of the Department.

Main Duties of the job

The Deputy Secretary for Civil Justice & Operations is a high-level strategic role which will have 6 direct reports at Assistant Secretary level and 1 direct report 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

The successful candidate will have:

• Standing, or the ability to acquire an understanding, of the Department's wide range of responsibilities at national and international level;
• A strong track record in leadership and delivery of change, including of culture, in a complex organisation within a constantly changing and frequently pressured environment;
• The ability to deal effectively at the highest level with a range of state and international bodies and with relevant interest groups and organisations;
• The capacity to provide thought leadership across the organisation and sector and contribute effectively to the overall strategic management of the Department through the Management Board;

Information about the Organisation

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.

The Department is a diverse organisation with a gender pay gap in 2025 of 1.27% and 14.65% of staff reporting having a disability. There is increasing ethnic diversity, and a vibrant LGBT+ network. It also has an international reach, with more than 50 officers posted in 11 Irish embassies and missions across four continents, working on a broad range of immigration services and international policy issues. Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026 will involve officials in leading more than 20 Working Groups across both the Justice and Home Affairs, and the Telecommunications Ministerial Councils. Producing high quality and timely legislation to support and drive change is a key responsibility and the Department annually manages the largest volume of legislation drafted across Government.

The Statement of Strategy sets out six strategic goals:

• Protecting our security
• Safe communities
• An effective and accessible justice system
• A fair and firm immigration system
• Increasing our influence in Europe
• People, systems and technology to deliver excellence

The Department's headquarters are currently located on St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. Further details about its work may be found on its website: .

Selection Process Details

This is a Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) position.

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 12 th March, 2026.

If you feel you would benefit from a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Karan Nesbit at

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.