Deputy Director General at the CBSS Secretariat in Stockholm

The Council of the Baltic Sea States

Deadline for Applications: 16 October 2026, 23:59 CET

(To apply go to the end of this page and click on "Apply")

Established in 1992, the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) serves as a regional forum for intergovernmental cooperation and coordination among the 10 CBSS Member States – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden, as well as the European Union. The CBSS' work is guided by its three long-term priorities: Regional Identity, Sustainable & Prosperous Region, and a Safe & Secure Region.

The permanent International Secretariat of the CBSS is looking for an outstanding and dynamic professional to join the Secretariat as Deputy Director General (DDG).

The mandate of the Secretariat is to:

• Provide technical, organisational and analytical support to the CBSS Presidency, the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) and the CBSS Expert Groups (EG) and other structures, as decided by the CSO;

• Assist in initiating and implementing regionally important, strategic projects in line with the agreed CBSS long-term priorities and to explore the financing of these projects:

• Ensure continuity and coordination of CBSS work, to implement the CBSS Information Strategy, to act as a focal point of information on regional cooperation within the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) on approval of the CSO.

Additional information about the CBSS is available on www.cbss.org.

About the Job

Based at the CBSS Secretariat’s Office in Stockholm, the Deputy Director General (DDG) works in close collaboration with the Director General (DG) and supports the DG in leading the day-to-day management of the Secretariat. The incumbent will also function as Head of Administration, coordinating and supervising the activities of attached support functions.

Main Responsibilities

The Deputy Director General’s main responsibilities will include the following:

• Providing strategic advice and support to the Director-General vis-à-vis the coordination and implementation of the Secretariat’s work.

• Supporting the DG in the implementation of tasks assigned to the Secretariat by the Committee of Senior Officials and the CBSS’ Presidency in accordance with the CBSS’ Terms of Reference and the CBSS three long term priorities.

• Assisting the DG and the incoming Chair-in-Office in planning and preparing Member States’ presidency period.

• Ensuring that the Secretariat’s administrative policies, budgetary processes, and documents are generated, reviewed, implemented and aligned to the operations of the Secretariat and in accordance with the CBSS Host Country Agreement, the CBSS and Secretariat’s Terms of Reference, and relevant Host Country national laws and regulations.

• Strengthening the Secretariat’s competence to analyse, act and take decisions in compliance with national and EU legal frameworks.

• Supporting the Director General in nurturing a healthy work environment and ensuring that wellbeing and engagement are maintained within the Secretariat’s different teams, by fostering trust, dialogue and collaboration with all employees and the work environment representatives.

Responsibilities may vary and change over time, depending on the development of the CBSS and of the Secretariat in the general framework of Baltic Sea Cooperation.

The position of Deputy Director General involves travel to destinations in CBSS Member States and occasionally beyond.

Selection Criteria

• Be a national of a CBSS Member State.

• Possess a university degree in business administration, public administration, political or social science, finance or a degree relevant to the position.

• At least 10 years of accumulated relevant professional experience, of which at least 5 years in a management position, gained at an international organisation, national administration or ministry, relevant academic institution, civil society organisation, or in a public international financial institution.

• Excellent leadership, analytical, interpersonal, decision-making, organisational and negotiations skills.

• Proven experience in management and project administration, including implementation of significant financial resources, as well as familiarity with administrative, budgetary and internal control mechanisms.

• Excellent knowledge and drafting skills in English, with the ability to communicate fluently, efficiently and build good working relations with internal and external stakeholders.

The CBSS Child Safeguarding Policy

The CBSS Secretariat and its Expert Units are fully committed to keeping children we come in contact with through our work protected and safeguarded from actions that place them at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, injury and any other harm. The CBSS Secretariat is committed to recruiting staff who are suited to applying strict child safeguarding practices.

Terms of employment

The Deputy Director General will be appointed for a period of four years with the possibility of prolongation for up to two years. The suggested starting date for the position is 1 February 2027. The place of employment is Stockholm.

A competitive remuneration and allowance package, depending on expatriate status, professional background and family situation, is offered.

Applications and how to apply

Please submit your application consisting of a letter of motivation and your Curriculum Vitae in English by 16 October 2026, 23:59 CET. Applications received after the deadline or submitted by e-mail, and/or normal postage will not be considered. Please address your application to Director General Mr. Gustav Lindström

Further information on the position can be acquired from Senior Administrative Officer, Ms. Ligia Broström at ligia.brostrom@cbss.org