Case Study - Civil Servant

Name: Claire Buckley
Job: Third Secretary

My name is Claire Buckley and I’m a Third Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Third Secretary is the graduate recruitment level for the Irish diplomatic service and you need a first or second class honours degree or be qualified as a solicitor or barrister.  The recruitment process involves a written exam and a number of interviews, including a group exercise.

During my first two years in the Department, I was assigned to our EU Division, and it was a really interesting time to work in that Division as we prepared for and worked through Ireland’s 2004 Presidency of the EU.  My work involved the preparation of briefing material for the Minister and senior colleagues on relations between the EU and the countries of the former Soviet Union, in particular Russia. This meant that I attended monthly working groups in Brussels at which EU policy was formulated.  I was also responsible for the organisation of a two-day conference for 180 people.

I was then posted to the Embassy of Ireland, Athens for three years where I had a broad range of responsibilities, the most significant of which was assisting Irish citizens either resident or on holiday in Greece. This meant anything from processing a passport application to visiting an Irish prisoner in jail and, with increasing numbers of Irish people travelling to Greece every year, it was never quiet! I was also responsible for the promotion of Irish culture in Greece and really enjoyed organising different cultural events from Irish film to Irish dancing.

Now that I am back at HQ, I work in Political Division, where the focus of our work is on increased political cooperation between EU Member States.  My job is always challenging and interesting and if you are the type of person who has an interest in Irish public affairs and in international relations, is able to analyse complex situations and to put forward practical recommendations for action and is a good communicator, able to work independently and deal effectively with people, then this may be the job for you.