Permanent Secretary for the Department of Children, Youth and Families

Permanent Secretary for the Department of Children, Youth and Families

Do you want to lead a central department responsible for the well-being of children, youth, and families across the country?

The Department of Children, Youth and Families is looking for a visionary and strategically strong Permanent Secretary who can lead and develop the department's area of responsibility in close collaboration with the Minister and other stakeholders.

About the Department of Children, Youth and Families

In the Department of Children, Youth and Families, we focus on strengthening the conditions for children, youth, and families and work to realize the political goals in the area of responsibility.

The department consists of the Management Secretariat and the Division for Cross-Project Coordination and Monitoring. We are 15 committed and dedicated employees working closely with our political leadership. The department has a subordinate unit, the Social Agency, which ensures the implementation and operation of political strategies and action plans.

• The department handles tasks within:

Political advice and service to the Minister for Children, Youth and Families Development and implementation of strategies and action plans in the area Ongoing follow-up, monitoring, and reporting of initiated initiatives to ensure optimal use of financial resources Preparation of decision-making basis for political leadership and implementation of decisions with a focus on goal and result achievement Coordination of task solutions in relation to other departments, institutions, and stakeholders and building good cooperative relationships Implementation of general administrative guidelines, procedures, and quality requirements as well as organizational development and establishment of clear communication and reference relationships Project management and activity planning

Qualifications

• Emphasis will be placed on:

Relevant higher education and professional knowledge within the entire or parts of the department's area of responsibility. Proficiency in the Greenlandic language is an advantage. Good knowledge of Greenlandic society and insight into the interaction between the Government, Parliament, and municipalities. Solid experience in financial management at a strategic level, including multi-year budgeting, prioritization processes, and financial analyses. Documented results from reform work within the social sector will be highly valued. A strong structure in the approach to work and the ability to create an overview and progress in complex processes. Loyalty and emphasis on human relations to ensure a good working environment – both at the management level and among employees in the organization. Good strategic abilities, including prioritization, influence, and political acumen. Leadership experience from a politically led organization and responsibility for financial management. Ability to involve internal and external stakeholders in solving the department's core tasks. Experience with management, coordination, and implementation of larger projects. It is an advantage if you master Greenlandic, Danish, and English.

Personal qualities

Applicants are expected to have both national and international outlook. The right candidate possesses strong communication and collaboration skills as well as personal impact. The position requires visible leadership that can build and maintain an effective and reliable organization that is continuously developed and adapted to society's needs.

Furthermore, the candidate is expected to demonstrate loyalty, have a structured approach to work, and emphasize human relations as the basis for a good working environment – both at the management level and among employees further down in the organization.

Employment conditions

The position is filled on a fixed-term basis for 4 years, starting May 1, 2026, or by agreement.

The position is currently classified equivalent to LR 39. The salary, including fixed salary components, personal pension contribution, and fixed-term allowance, amounts to DKK 99,340 per month, equivalent to DKK 1,192,100 annually as of April 1, 2026.

Employment is generally on contract terms. If the applicant is already a civil servant under the public service law in Greenland, employment can be on civil servant terms.

There are also rules on unpaid leave for civil servants in the state and employees under several AC agreements, which may also include spouses/partners of employees under the Greenland Self-Government.

The working hours are generally 40 hours per week. For the position, there is no set maximum working time, and the provisions on compensation for overtime and lost days off do not apply.

Housing

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

Further information

The organizational chart and description of the department's tasks can be seen at:

https://naalakkersuisut.gl/Departementer/Boern_Unge_Familier?sc_lang=da

The Self-Government's management foundation can be read here:

https://naalakkersuisut.gl/Departementer/Formandens_Departement/Ledelsesgrundlag

Application deadline January 9, 2026, at 12:00.

Interested?

If you have questions about the position, you are welcome to contact Partner Dorthe Flies from Flies HR at mobile +299583117 or dorthe@flieshr.dk.

Flies HR handles the recruitment process, so all inquiries should be directed here. We continuously invite relevant candidates for interviews.

If you have further questions about the position, you are welcome to contact the Permanent Secretary in the Chairman's Department Hans-Peder Barlach Christensen at hape@nanoq.gl

We look forward to hearing from you.

You can find more information about the Government at https://naalakkersuisut.gl