Each department is currently led by a Permanent Secretary, or the Head of the Civil Service in the case of the Executive Office. The "Permanent Secretaries Group" meets monthly and effectively the highest level of government in Northern Ireland in the absence of the Executive. Since June 2017, the interim Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service has been has being Vacant since August 2020 but Jenny Pyper has being temporary appointed as interim Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service for the term of eight months from 1 December 2020 pending the appointment of a permanent interim Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service