“At the ministry, I can bring together different parts of my studies in a remarkable way”

 

Jere Päivinen is a Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in the Department for Insurance and Social Security. His role brings together international issues, social policy and law drafting, with opportunities to make a difference both nationally and at EU level.

I hold a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, majoring in international relations. During my studies, I focused on trade policy, its impacts and EU policy. While this may sound slightly unexpected, at the ministry I can bring together different parts of my studies in a remarkable way.

My path to the ministry came through an internship, after which I gradually moved into specialist roles. My work combines international dimensions, social policy and societal impact.

My interest in societal issues has been with me for a long time, and at the ministry it is very tangible in day-to-day work. People’s movement to and from Finland is a central part of my role and links directly to developments in international relations and trade policy.

Another key responsibility involves EU‑level social policy issues, which are also closely tied to the wider economic picture. My educational background has given me a strong foundation for analysing broad societal phenomena from different perspectives. The variety and purpose of the work have kept me fully engaged.

My work is wide-ranging and varied. A significant part involves law drafting related to migrants’ social security, with impacts that play out across society through legislation. EU‑level work influences broader developments, while bilateral social security agreements have very concrete effects, for example by safeguarding pension rights across countries.

I also occasionally speak to the media on issues related to my work.

One of the most memorable projects was drafting a social security agreement with Uruguay, which was signed in autumn 2025. It stood out because projects that had paused during the covid crisis were finally able to move forward again, and the work resulted in a clear and important outcome.

My days are filled with meetings, writing and coordinating different strands of work. I often handle several processes at once, such as government proposals alongside EU matters. The job requires the ability to switch topics quickly and keep a handle on broad policy areas. Over the year, it also involves a fair amount of travel.

One theme I particularly want to promote is a stronger understanding of EU affairs. The EU plays a key role in developing societies, and even non-binding decisions can have long‑term effects on the direction things take.

Jere Päivinen
Ministerial Adviser