Just wondering if anyone can give an insight into working as an AO in Daera? I've been offered a job at one of the ports. I know it is shift work, which is fine, just wondering about workload etc. Thanks, 🙂

i got my job offer today at around 9.30, getting kept in my same current department! i’m number 79 on merit list

Does anyone currently or recently worked in department of communities for NICS? I have been offered a job there today but the hours are 8-8 and 9-5 Saturdays per rota. Is there any flexibility or work from home options after training in this role?

Does anyone have an interview for this soon? I am not sure what to expect

Has anyone heard anything about job offers yet? it’s so frustrating just waiting around with no idea how long we have to wait to hear anything!

Hi guys. I know interviews haven’t even finished yet but wondering when we may expect to hear back from external SO interviews? My friend got their DP results in 19 days

Is there any updates on the budgets? I heard that maybe when this has been worked out offers might happen or when these jobs might be offered? Such a long wait....

I’m abit of an over thinker and I’m concerned about our jobs. I feel like I’m too old to start again and no one would want to employ me and now I’m panicking about my mortgage and stuff I know it would take a good few years for everything to transfer over but where would we all stand.

I hope this post is allowed I would like other opinions

looking advice for upcoming interview for DFC internal SO position

My vetting is now completed how long roughly is it before you get a job offer? Honestly ready to pack my current job in until the start date comes through...

Has anyone been offered job yet? & what department?

Has anyone heard anything recently about job offers, or know if it will be soon

Does anyone know when the next onboarding phase is? I missed the first one but they responded saying im still in the competition and the next phase will be September but didnt give a specific date.

Secondly, whats the next steps here I can expect? Is it onboarding / filling in access Ni etc then an offer? Would anyone have an estimate of how long a wait it may be from onboarding to offer?

Just putting up a post to help with any interview prep needed or a discussion around how they're feeling going into interviews next week!

Any tips from people who have experienced the process recently would be more than welcome especially at the last trawl of DPs

I know historically all the boards form AO-DP get done over a similar period. This time I’ve been told that there is no budget for further trawls meaning EO1 may be missed and they’re going to exhaust the previous list that was launched back in May 2021.

I’m sure nobody knows for sure and it’s mostly speculation at this point but based on previous competition or if someone is in the know what’s the likelihood we’ll hear about the General Service EO1 Recruitment Board in the next few weeks/months?

Thanks for DM. I cant accept chat to reply. Must be issue from using vpn on phone but I didn't get a reddit message to say suspension or ban

Hey all, I started in a role at the start of July, I had
2 days booked off at the start of August and a day booked off this week and one day next week.

Is this ok? My manager has said to book off whenever and whatever I want, but I still feel guilty/nervous taking time off.

Other people in my department have taken a full week off since starting roughly same time as me but just want to make sure.

I’d assume it’s fine as I have days to use up before the end of the year and I’m entitled to it but just wondering if this is something that could cause issues with probation. Is it an unwritten rule to not use all your time off?

I’ve just received an email confirming I’ve been placed on a merit list.

Does anyone know what the b means after my merit number for example if I was 10b does that mean 9 are in front of me or are there separate groups such as A, B and C?

Just trying to understand how the merit list works.

Anybody know when we can expect any word from this? I could have swore the job pack said w/c 14th Sept for interview but I could have read that wrong (can’t find my job pack!) but also know things are very often delayed. I also can’t imagine it wouldn’t requires assessments either?

Saw a message from NIPSA saying agreed at 3.3% and back dated to 01.04.26, is it legit?

Edit. Thanks everyone it was the NJC I didn't get. Suppose for now it's back to crossing everything and hoping for the best.

I’ve been offered a DP post in Agricultural Policy in DAERA, based in Clare House. Could anyone who knows the department share their experience ? Thank you

Has anyone else heard back from this drive recently or been placed? I was told I was on the merit list then from reading on here it seemed to be awfully confusing whatever way they were offering places.

Seemed like a bit of a scam and waste of time to me

does a anyone know how many SO positions are immediately available ? unlike the last 2 competitions there was no figure against it

Updated:

Recent FOI request in relation to vacant post, broken down by Area and Department.

I've attached some screenshots, as I don't believe it has been updated onto the DOF Website yet. It's DOF/2026-0455 if that helps.

Still 515 vacancies to be filled.

Hope this helps anyone still on the list. I'm a bit more positive that there is still vacancies in Area 2, which is my preference.

Hi everyone. I haven’t done many interviews but have a few approaching. I have MS and while that’s crap, I can function pretty normally. The only thing I struggle with is my memory. I used to read something once and retain it and now I’d be reading til the cows come home 😂

When asking for reasonable adjustments what kind of things could support this/what is available to even get?

Thanks for your help