Careers

IGEES offers wide ranging employment opportunities, in analytical roles in government departments, working across different policy areas (e.g. transport, housing, education, social protection, climate action, etc.), as well as macroeconomic forecasting, public expenditure and fiscal policy. Details of the different IGEES roles are set out below.

Click on the short video below to see what it's like to work as an economist. This video features Aoife Doyle, a member of IGEES and an Assistant Principal in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

IGEES hire graduates capable of demonstrating the tools and techniques of economic and policy analysis. These skillsets are used to support evidence-informed policymaking, to deliver better public services and improve outcomes for citizens. Generally, this competition takes place once a year in October and is run through the Public Appointments Service (www.publicjobs.ie).

There are IGEES Graduate Economist/Policy Analyst roles in all government departments. The role varies, depending on the requirements of the department, but typically covers one or more of the following:

• Contributing to national policy development.
• 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.

Details of IGEES Graduate Economist/Policy Analyst recruitment competitions, when live, will be made available here and at www.publicjobs.ie

You can find more here about the role of an IGEES Economist/Policy Analyst from our colleague Leanne by clicking here.

Opportunities are also available for experienced Economist and Policy Analysts through recruitment into IGEES at Assistant Principal level. The role of Senior Economist/Policy Analyst at Assistant Principal level in the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service is an important one and the work is varied and challenging.

In this role, analysts utilise their experience and expertise in analysis, and their knowledge of the wider economic, political, and social environment, to inform evidence based policy and decision making. As an Assistant Principal, the Senior Economist/Policy Analyst is responsible for specific work areas and for managing a small team.

Details of IGEES Assistant Principal recruitment competitions, when live, will be made available here and at www.publicjobs.ie

Since 2018, the IGEES Internship Programme has provided students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience working as interns with IGEES units across the civil service. Applications are accepted from those in their final or second last year of a relevant Bachelor’s Degree, or from those pursuing a Master’s Degree.

The internship programme runs over the period from June to September (inclusive). During the programme the interns will work on a variety of projects. While each project is specific to the host department and project goals, they all have similar characteristics and offer students similar opportunities, including:

• Project work involving data analysis and research.
• The completion of tasks arising from the daily work of the civil service.
• On the job training and development opportunities.

At the end of the programme, interns participate in a series of workshops where they present on their work. These presentations showcase the contribution that both they, individually, and the programme more generally, make to host departments as well as the broader analytical and research landscape.

The programme continues to grow annually, with 42 interns assigned across 12 departments and organisations in 2025.

Interns have shared that they would highly recommend the programme to other students. They believe it is a valuable way of applying their knowledge and skills while gaining insights and hands-on policy experience in a government department. Participants from the 2024 programme provided the following feedback:

“An amazing experience. I learned so much and got hands-on experience in the civil service, including the opportunity to get involved in the budget process. I would definitely recommend this internship to any undergraduate students who are interested in getting a taste for politics and the civil service”.

“Research papers often describe the value such research has on influencing the decision-making process of policymakers. My IGEES experience bridged this gap between researcher and policymaker by providing an opportunity to conduct health economics research, working directly with Ireland’s health policymakers – a truly unique experience as an undergraduate! In addition, I’ve developed as a working professional, which will serve me well in all my future pursuits.”

During the course of their engagement with the IGEES Internship Programme, interns are made aware of recruitment channels and competitions for IGEES, and former interns have gone on to be recruited into IGEES following their graduation.

Applications for the internship programme are via universities and students should contact their programme co-ordinators for details. Participating institutions in the IGEES internship programme are UCD, UCC, TCD, DCU, TUDublin, University of Galway, University of Limerick, Maynooth University.