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Latest thinking from DEDICO

Thoughts on governance, resilience, digital transformation, and professional development. Browse by topic.

Guides for civil service candidates
29 May 2026

Assistant Principal Officer 2026: Competitions Explained

The 2026 Assistant Principal Officer competitions close 18 June. A clear guide to the open and interdepartmental routes, salary, stages and how to prepare.

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Guides for civil service candidates
20 April 2026

Third Secretary Application 2026: Expert Guide

How to apply for Third Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2026: form, tests, interview, by a former Third Secretary in Dublin.

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Guides for civil service candidates
07 April 2026

Build an Example Bank for Competency Interviews

Stop starting from scratch for every interview. Learn how to build an example bank that maps your career to common competency areas, using SAR.

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Guides for civil service candidates
07 April 2026

I-Centred Language in Interviews: Show Agency

Why I-centred language in interviews helps candidates show ownership, judgment and results. Includes practical examples and active phrases to memorise.

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Public speaking and communication
07 April 2026

Why Do I Speak So Softly? Causes of a Quiet Voice

A quiet voice is shaped by biology, attachment, personality, anxiety, social power and culture. An evidence-based look at where soft-spoken patterns come from.

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Public speaking and communication
26 March 2026

Job Interview Coaching for Non-Native English Speakers

Prepare for a job interview in English with PREP, voice control, and composure. Practical coaching for non-native speakers in Dublin.

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Public speaking and communication
26 March 2026

Vocal Variety in English: Sound Confident

Vocal variety in English (pitch, pace, volume, pauses) is the most powerful tool for non-native speakers. Learn the four dimensions and a practical exercise.

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Public speaking and communication
26 March 2026

Your Voice, Not Your Accent, Decides How You're Seen

Research shows that vocal delivery, pitch, pace and pauses, shapes how listeners judge non-native English speakers far more than accent does.

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AI and digital change
12 March 2026

Non-Promotable Tasks: How They Hold Women Back

Non-promotable tasks (NPTs) fall disproportionately on women and quietly slow their careers. Research, evidence and seven steps to stop the automatic yes.

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Public speaking and communication
05 March 2026

PREP Method: Structure Any English Answer Clearly

Point, Reason, Example, Point. The PREP method is the simplest way for non-native English speakers to structure clear, confident answers in any setting.

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Public speaking and communication
20 February 2026

How to Stop Saying Um and Uh When You Speak English

Filler words in English (um, uh, so, like) quietly damage credibility. Here is why non-native speakers use them more, and a practical drill to stop.

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Guides for civil service candidates
14 January 2026

What to Expect at a DEDICO Interview Prep Session

DEDICO interview prep: 90-minute sessions, mock practice, real-time feedback, hardest questions first. Civil Service and private sector.

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Guides for civil service candidates
09 November 2025

SAR Method: How to Answer Competency Interview Questions

Use the SAR method (Situation, Action, Result) to answer behavioural interview questions clearly. Most marks sit in Action, here is how to weight your answer.

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Guides for board directors
15 April 2025

What Makes a Good Strategy for an NGO?

Practical, people-focused strategy development for Irish non-profits, grounded in the Charities Governance Code and board-level experience.

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Guides for board directors
13 March 2025

Structuring a Business Continuity Management Process

Threat-based vs activity-based vs hybrid approaches to Business Continuity Management. Practical structure for organisations across sectors in Ireland.

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AI and digital change
11 March 2025

Generative AI vs Agentic AI: The Creative & The Assistant

Generative AI creates content; agentic AI takes action. Understand the difference and what it means for organisations adopting AI in Ireland and beyond.

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AI and digital change
19 November 2024

Navigating the AI Avatar Job Interview

AI avatar job interviews are spreading fast. Six practical strategies on technology, structure, vocal delivery, keywords and post-interview feedback.

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AI and digital change
02 October 2024

What is an Algorithm? How They Shape the World

A plain-English explainer of what an algorithm is, where they show up in everyday life, and how they power tools like ChatGPT.

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AI and digital change
02 September 2024

What You Need to Know About AI Literacy

AI literacy is now a professional essential. A short guide for modern professionals on the basics, the risks of misunderstanding AI, and where to focus.

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AI and digital change
07 July 2024

Generative AI: Unravelling the Basics

A clear, non-technical introduction to generative AI for knowledge workers: how it works, where it is used, and the ethical questions it raises.

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AI and digital change
02 May 2024

LLMs: A Starter Guide

A plain-English starter guide to Large Language Models (LLMs): what they are, how they work, where their data comes from, and where they can get things wrong.

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