Senior Civil Servants

As the most senior public official at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Permanent Secretary directs and is responsible for the Ministry’s activities. The Under-Secretary of State assists the Permanent Secretary in the project tasks related to the health and social services reform.

Permanent Secretary

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is Veli-Mikko Niemi.

The Permanent Secretary leads, develops and oversees work in the ministry and its administrative sector. His responsibilities include

• having responsibility for the Ministry’s activities and ensuring that the Ministry’s duties are performed effectively;
• ensuring the quality of law drafting at the Ministry;
• coordinating preparatory work by public officials at the Ministry and organising cooperation between public officials together with other ministries;
• directing and developing the Ministry’s human resources management and other internal administration;
• preparing the objectives for the Ministry’s administrative branch and monitoring their implementation;
• maintaining and developing the organisation of the Ministry’s administrative branch; and
• ensuring the general security and preparedness of the Ministry and its administrative branch.

Each Director General is responsible for managing their department. The heads of separate units are responsible for managing their performance groups.