Veli-Mikko Niemi appointed as Director General of Department for Communities and Functional Capacity at Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

On Thursday 2 July, the Government appointed Veli-Mikko Niemi as Director General of the Department for Communities and Functional Capacity at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Niemi will take up his duties on 1 September 2020. The appointment is for a fixed period until 31 August 2025.

Niemi worked as Director General of the Department for Promotion of Welfare and Health between 2014 and 2017. After that, he has worked as Director General reporting directly to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and as Director of the International Affairs Unit. Niemi worked as Director of Food Safety at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2007–2014 and as Deputy Director General in 2002–2007. Before that, he held various expert positions at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the European Commission.  Niemi holds the degree of Licentiate of Veterinary Medicine.

The Department for Communities and Functional Capacity at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health handles issues pertaining to health and social services for children, young people and families, services for people with disabilities, services for older people, medical and social rehabilitation, the promotion of social wellbeing, functional capacity and health and the prevention of illness.

The Department is also responsible for the coordination of the Ministry’s government grant activities, and grants awarded from gambling profits for the promotion of health and social wellbeing.

The Department was established on 1 June 2020 when the previous Department for Wellbeing and Services was split into three new departments.

A total of 19 candidates applied for the post.

Inquiries:

Liisa Perttula, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 2951 63521