New IGEES AO Panel 2024-25

The annual Administrative Officer (AO) Campaign from the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGESS) takes the form of a competitive process led by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service.

Following the 2024-25 Campaign, a panel of AOs has been formed. These AOs will be assigned to government departments and agencies over the coming months subject to completion of their studies.

The IGEES AO Campaign is the graduate entry route into IGEES and this is an important component of IGEES’ work to build analytical capacity across the Civil Service and to embed an evidence-informed approach to analysis, design and implementation of public policy.

This will contribute to the achievement of value for money and the delivery of better public services, living standards and infrastructure for the people of Ireland. Delivering effective, human-centred policies and services informed by evidence is a key commitment of the Better Public Services transformation strategy.

The work of IGEES AOs is shaped by the requirements of the departments they are assigned to, but typically covers one or more of the following:

- Contributing to national policy development across a wide range of areas;

- Using data, quantitative and qualitative tools and techniques to conduct policy analysis and evaluation;

- Contributing to appraisals and evaluations of significant areas of expenditure in line with the Public Spending Code;

- Economic modelling and forecasting;

- Contributing to briefing and advising senior officials and Ministers;

- Providing technical advice and guidance to ensure effective regulation.

Following the assignment of AOs to their departments, they will be invited to attend the IGEES Induction Programme, which is an important component of their Learning and Development. This will introduce these new entrants to the work, structures and processes of the Civil Service generally, and IGEES specifically. It is a hands-on learning experience which serves to strengthen the connection between AOs prior education and the workplace setting through the use of case studies, guest lectures and practical work.

More broadly, these new AOs will also be supported in their further development through training courses delivered under the IGEES Learning & Development Programme. This ensures that IGEES members’ analytical, economic, and evaluation skills are maintained and enhanced in the longer term. The AOs will also be able to avail of other Learning & Development opportunities within their departments (as part of the PMDS process) to support both their sector-specific knowledge and general professional development.

These approaches to both recruitment and Learning & Development enables these new IGEES AOs to form a strong foundation from which to progress their development and to enhance their contribution to their departments and the cross-government IGEES Network.