Department Head for the Licensing Department in the Mineral Sector

Department Head for the Licensing Department in the Mineral Resources Sector Would you like to lead a central authority function in the mineral resources sector and help shape the development of Greenland's mineral resources from an international perspective? Then you might be the one we are looking for as the new Department Head for the Licensing Department.

About the raw materials sector and the Licensing Department

The raw materials area in the Department of Business and Raw Materials is organized into three professional divisions: the Licensing Division, the Division for Technology and Supervision, and the Geology Division. Together, the department and the divisions handle the overall strategic planning and regulatory tasks in the raw materials sector, including the preparation of decision-making basis for political processes and the implementation of Naalakkersuisut's decisions.

The licensing department plays a key role in the development of the raw materials sector – both as a supervisory authority and as an actor in the work with high Arctic standards, inter-agency cooperation, and international marketing of Greenland as a raw materials destination at trade fairs and conferences.

The licensing department is responsible for the administration of the overall portfolio of mineral permits and ensures that research, small-scale, preliminary investigation, exploration, and exploitation activities are carried out in accordance with applicable legislation, permit conditions, and approvals. The department also handles negotiations with international raw material companies regarding the granting of licenses and the establishment of terms, including socio-economic and strategic considerations.

About the position

As the department head, you will be the daily leader of the Licensing Department, which currently consists of four AC assistants. The department manages approximately 145 mineral permits distributed across exploration, investigation, exploitation, and small-scale permits. The work is based on the Mining Act along with associated regulations, standard conditions, and guidelines, as well as relevant management and registration systems that must be continuously adjusted and further developed.

The licensing department has a central coordinating role in connection with investigation activities and planning the utilization of raw materials. You will work closely with the Department of Technology and Supervision, the Geological Department, the Environmental Agency for the Raw Materials Area, the Tax Agency, among others, on negotiations, establishing terms and standards, and approving specific projects.

The position involves significant international collaboration, and it is therefore a prerequisite that you possess solid English skills at a negotiation level.

Your primary tasks

• As department head, you have the overall responsibility for: daily management of the Licensing Department, including organization and prioritization of tasks
• staff management, professional sparring, and quality assurance of task resolution
• compliance with deadlines as well as preparation and follow-up on work plans and budgets
• contribution to the strategic development of the raw materials sector in collaboration with the departmental management
• close collaboration and coordination with other raw material authorities
• dialogue with the industry and international raw material authorities
• ongoing competence development of the department's employees

Professionalism, holistic view, and integrity are central values in task execution.

Qualifications

• We expect that you have a relevant academic or other higher education. When hiring, emphasis is placed on the fact that you: have solid professional insight and understanding of authority work
• has management experience and thrives in a role with both professional and personnel responsibility
• works in a structured and project-oriented manner and can translate strategy into practice
• has good analytical skills, overview, and strong negotiation abilities
• has experience from politically governed organizations or complex administrative environments
• communicates clearly and professionally in both Danish and English – in writing and verbally

You must be prepared for ongoing skills development and further education.

Travel activity

The position involves travel activities related to, among other things, supervisory tasks, meetings, training, as well as participation in national and international trade fairs and conferences.

 

Employment terms

The position is currently salary-fixed corresponding to 38. The salary with fixed salary components and personal contribution to pension in LR 38 amounts to DKK 64,048 monthly and DKK 768,576 annually as of April 1, 2026.

Employment will primarily occur under collective agreement terms, where applicants who are already civil servants according to the civil service laws for the public Greenland may be employed under civil service terms.

For the position, there is no maximum length of service established, and the provisions regarding compensation for overtime and the provisions regarding compensation for lost days off do not apply; the working hours are initially 40 hours per week.

Salary and employment conditions, including the right to relocation and departure travel and moving of personal belongings, in accordance with the collective agreement applicable at the time of commencement between the Government of Greenland and the relevant negotiating organization.

Housing

No staff housing is provided for the position. If an applicant already has staff housing through employment in the Self-Government, the right to assigned staff housing is retained. The staff housing is linked to the employment relationship and must be vacated upon termination of the employment relationship.

Submit your application, CV, educational and course certificates, as well as other relevant documents by clicking "Submit application."

We do not accept applications via email.