An Garda Síochána has developed an internship programme to increase the accessibility, understanding of, and potential for a career in An Garda Síochána for school-leavers and graduates, particularly those from groups traditionally underrepresented in the organisation.

The Garda diversity interns will be placed in a variety of roles/units within the organisation across the country.

The mission of An Garda Síochána is ‘Keeping People Safe’. It is envisaged that diversity interns will work with Gardaí across a number of areas in order to continue to fulfil this mission. These areas could include:

• Supporting community engagement and the rollout of An Garda Siochana Diversity strategies
• Creating social media and other communication campaigns to support policing and the work of An Garda Síochána, internally and externally
• Working with enabling functions across a number of areas include HR, Finance, Estates and Fleet Management;
• Assisting with delivery and implementation of the ambitious transformation programme A Policing Service For Our Future (APSFF)

There will also be opportunities to learn more about the work of An Garda Síochána and the career options available to both Garda members and Garda staff. Each intern will be provided with a mentor who will provide guidance and support throughout the placement.

School-leavers will complete a 9-month placement and receive a pro-rata salary at the entry point of the Clerical Officer salary scale. Graduate interns will complete an 11-month placement within the organisation and will receive a pro-rata salary at the entry point of the Executive Officer salary scale. There will be an option to apply for permanent positions in An Garda Síochána at the end of the internship programme contingent on there being a defined number of permanent roles available at that time.

An Garda Síochána is looking for candidates from those communities who have been traditionally under-represented within An Garda Síochána who:

• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Be willing to work as part of a team while also using his/her own initiative
• Be self-motivated
• Show interest and commitment to self-development

Eligibility Requirements:

prospective interns were required to meet the following criteria in order to be offered a place on the programme:

1)        Educational Qualifications (evidence of same required):

a)        School Leaver applicants were required to have earned their Leaving Certificate prior to the internship commencement date.

b)       Graduate applicants were required to have earned a 3rd level degree (Level 6 or above) prior to the internship commencement date.

2)        Citizenship/Eligibility to Work in Ireland (evidence of same required):

a)        Be a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

b)       A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

c)        A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

d)       A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

e)       A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

f)         A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa. Irish Traveller or Roma

3)        Diversity requirements – Candidates were asked to declare that they identified as part of one of the following groups, although they were asked not to specify which:

a)        Minority Ethnic or Migrant

b)       Socially or Economically Disadvantaged

c)        Consider yourself to have a Disability

d)       Lone Parent or Female Headed Household

e)       LGBTI+, with candidates who are transgender, or transitioning to a new gender, particularly encouraged to apply.

4)        Candidates were only eligible to take up their place if successfully vetted.

5)        Candidates were only eligible to take up their placement pending successful reference checks (2 referees)

This Internship Programme aims to provide graduates from communities that have been traditionally under-represented within An Garda Síochána, with an opportunity to work with us for a period of 11 months commencing October 2022. Interns will be based in a number of locations across the country, including Garda Headquarters.

The mission of An Garda Síochána is ‘Keeping People Safe’. It is envisaged that our interns will work with us across a number of areas in order to continue to fulfil this mission. These areas could include:

• Developing and deploying ICT projects to support policing; · Creating social media and other communication campaigns to support policing and the work of An Garda Síochána, internally and externally; · Supporting community engagement and the rollout of our Diversity strategies; · Assisting with reviewing existing processes across a number of areas, including HR, Finance, Legal and Compliance; · Assisting with delivery and implementation of our ambitious transformation programme A Policing Service For Our Future (APSFF).

There will also be opportunities to learn more about the work of An Garda Síochána and the career options available to both Garda members and Garda staff. Each intern will be provided with a mentor who will provide guidance and support throughout the placement.

Graduate interns will be paid at the first point (pro-rata) of the Executive Officer pay scale which is currently €30,844 per annum.

How to Apply

Apply here on Publicjobs.ie.

If you have any questions about the application process, the eligibility requirements (below) or any other aspects of the internship you can also email us at [email protected] and we would be glad to help you.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates for the Graduate internship role must: · Have achieved a 3rd Level degree prior to their starting date in September 2021; · Be a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or · A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or · A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or · A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or · A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or · A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

The same opportunities are available to anybody that meets the qualification requirements. Details on the eligibility criteria will be specific to each role and available within the competition booklet. Information on opportunities are published across social media and recruitment sites when a role is advertised.

An Garda Síochána facilitates work experience where possible for Students during Transition Year at secondary level only. Students interested in work experience should write to their local Chief Superintendent in the Division in which they live (contact local Garda Station for details). The application should include a letter from the relevant school outlining that the student is insured. It should also outline the students name, address, date of birth and previous addresses.

The dates of the proposed placement should be outlined and as much notice as possible should be given to arrange a placement. Students should note that work experience will be in the administrative area and that it will not be possible to provide work experience in the operational Garda field.

The phone number of your local Garda Station is available on the Garda website www.garda.ie.