The Department of Finance has opened up one of its most senior positions to external candidates.

In a highly unusual move, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is recruiting a new head of banking, finance and pensions for the Department of Finance at second secretary general level.

The position is open to applicants from the private sector - both nationally and internationally - as well as to internal candidates.

The move is not entirely unprecedented - for example, the head of economics position in the Department was opened up to external applicants some years ago - but traditionally such vacancies were exclusively reserved for civil servants, and were filled through internal promotion.

According to a Department spokesman, there is a drive towards a greater use of open recruitment in line with the philosophy outlined in the Towards 2016 social partnership agreement, which states that such a policy is "essential" as it allows the civil service "to attract staff with the wide range of skills and experience needed in a modern public administration".

A PAS spokesman said the decision to hold an open competition for this position indicated a desire to get the highest possible calibre person to fill the post, due to "the importance and centrality of this job not only to the Department of Finance but also nationally".

He added that the salary level of €191,488 "reflects the absolute importance of the position".

Increasingly people from outside the civil service are being given the opportunity to apply for middle management positions, the spokesman said.

This latest move may indicate a trend towards opening up more top level positions within the civil service to external competition in the future.

The closing date for applying for this position is October 19th. PAS is running the recruitment process. Members of the Top Level. The Government will make the final decision on the appointment.