Head of Secretariat for the Foreign Policy Society

Secretariat Lead for the Danish Foreign Policy Society

Maternity leave cover for 15 months

Do you want to help run one of Denmark's central forums for foreign policy debate?

We are seeking a Secretariat Lead who will be responsible for the daily operations of a small, ambitious secretariat, with close contact to members and partners and the opportunity to put your mark on our activities.

About the Danish Foreign Policy Society

The association was founded in 1946 by resistance members and business leaders and will turn 80 in 2026. We are an association with about 1,800 members, and our purpose is to increase interest in international issues and the world around us.

We create events and content that provide new perspectives on the world and equip our members for foreign policy debate. This is done through events, the magazine Udenrigs, podcasts and study trips, and with our youth section U35.

We have a broad collaboration network with ministries, politicians, Danish and international knowledge institutions, media houses, embassies and other actors with an interest in international politics.

A central role in a small and ambitious secretariat

As Secretariat Lead you will be responsible for the daily operations and will be the person who ensures the Society's activities function in practice. You report to the director and become her close sparring partner.

The role is broad and autonomous. You should have an eye for long-term development and be able to make the practical details work.

You should be able to take a project from idea to reality: create an overview, coordinate those involved, follow up and ensure that the last details are in place. And you should be able to see where we can do things better, and take the initiative to develop our activities and work processes.

We are looking for someone who takes ownership and drives progress and you will have great freedom to plan your work and put your own mark on the role.

The position does not involve line management.

Your tasks

You will, among other things, work with

• member contact and member development
• planning, coordination and execution of events
• development and evaluation of event concepts
• partnership collaborations and ongoing contact with partners
• management and further development of the Society's embassy cooperation
• planning of study trips
• support for the board and council, including meeting preparation and minutes
• fundraising, including grant applications and reporting
• coordination and development of the secretariat's administrative workflows, including budgeting and financial management together with the director and other colleagues
• other tasks that come with running a small secretariat

About you

We are looking for a colleague who is willing to take responsibility and thrives in a role where the workday can vary greatly from day to day. We imagine that you:

• have experience with secretariat work, executive support or project management
• have an interest in and broad knowledge of foreign policy and international affairs
• are strong in writing and communicate precisely in Danish and English
• have organizational overview and a sense for detail, even when the pace is high
• have experience with budgets and financial management
• work independently and drive your tasks forward
• are approachable and service-minded toward members and partners
• can both think strategically and tackle practical tasks

Experience with membership administration or event planning is an advantage. The most important is that you want to engage in the Society's mission and take responsibility that the secretariat functions well.

A job close to the foreign policy conversation

You will have an unusually broad network. You will come close to current foreign policy issues and meet the politicians, diplomats, researchers and journalists that the Society gathers for debate.

You will become part of a small team where everyone contributes, and where there is little distance from idea to action. We have a high ceiling, help each other and expect that you take responsibility for your own area and step in when needed.

The practical

• Full-time position as maternity leave cover from December 1, 2026 to March 1, 2028.
• Workplace is our secretariat at Amaliegade 40 A in Copenhagen.
• Salary and other terms of employment negotiated according to qualifications.

How to apply

Send your application and CV to [email protected] , and write ”Maternity Leave Cover” in the subject line. We process applications and conduct interviews on an ongoing basis. The position will be closed when the right candidate is found.

If you have questions about the position, you are welcome to contact Secretariat Lead Ane Dalegaard Hansen at 71 96 01 60