Arctic Council opens search for new secretariat director
The Arctic Council has posted a call for applications for the next director of the Arctic Council Secretariat (ACS), following Mathieu Parker’s departure from the post.
Parker announced his departure on June 19, after five years leading the Tromsø-based Secretariat. He is leaving to become deputy head and president of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, though he is not due to start that role until September 21, a delay the Council said was meant to allow for an orderly handover. His tenure spanned the aftermath of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when the Council’s work froze after seven member states paused cooperation with Moscow.
The Tromsø-based position oversees the 15-person secretariat’s finances, administration, communications and human resources, reporting to the chair of the Council’s Senior Arctic Officials. The director also supports the biennial rotation of the Council’s chairship, with Sweden set to take over from the Kingdom of Denmark in May 2027.
Candidates must be nationals of an Arctic state and hold an advanced degree or equivalent experience, along with a track record in human resources management, financial administration and strategic advice to senior leadership. Knowledge of Arctic politics, history and culture is required, with direct Arctic work experience considered an asset.
The application deadline is close of business on August 21, 2026, with final interviews expected in mid-to-late October. The successful candidate is expected to start in January 2027.
Enquiries can be directed to outgoing director Mathieu Parker or ACS Head of Administration André Skrivervik.
Previous ACS directors:
- Magnús Jóhannesson (Iceland), February 2013 – October 2017
- Nina Buvang Vaaja (Norway), October 2017 – August 2021
- Mathieu Parker (Canada), September/October 2021 – 2026
