As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the independent recruiter of people for the civil service through open and interdepartmental competitions.
While there are many factors affecting recruitment the most important are the expected number of staff who will leave in the near future, existing panels in place and the demand for staff based on the work to be carried out by departments/offices.
I understand from PAS that it intends to hold the following competitions in 2018/2019;
Executive Officers - Quarter 3 2018
Higher Executive Officers - To be decided
Administrative Officers - Quarter 3 2018
Assistant Principal Officers - Quarter 2 2018
Principal Officers - Quarter 1 2019
I would emphasise that these dates are subject to change.
The grade of Staff Officer no longer exists in the civil service.