Kirsi Pimiä

Duties of Permanent Secretary

The Ministry’s most senior public official is Permanent Secretary Kirsi Pimiä.

The Permanent Secretary assists the Minister in directing, developing and monitoring the work of the Ministry and the agencies within its branch of government. The Permanent Secretary leads the Ministry’s strategic planning and coordinates its implementation, is responsible for effective internal control, assists the Minister in planning, implementing and monitoring broad-based issues, and manages performance guidance within the Ministry’s administrative branch.

Profile

Kirsi Pimiä has served as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, which is the ministry for internal security, since February 1, 2020.  Relating to her position as the Permanent Secretary, she acts as the Chairperson of the National Cooperation Group of the Internal Security and the Advisory Board of Gambling. Further, she acts as a Vice Chairperson of the Advisory Board of National Defense Education. Kirsi Pimiä is among others a Member of the Committee for EU Affairs, the Security Committee of Finland, the Arctic Advisory Board dealing with Finland’s Strategy for the Arctic Region, the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development, the National Emergency Supply Council, the Coordination Group of National Intelligence and Situational Picture, the Advisory Board of Finland Customs, and the Advisory Body on Civil Service Ethics.

Before joining the Ministry of the Interior, Ms. Pimiä worked as Non-Discrimination Ombud in Finland (2015–2020). Ms. Pimiä’s previous positions include Director in the Ministry of Justice (2013–2014), Head of Unit in the EU Affairs Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (2012–2013), Head of Cabinet of the Minister of Justice (2007–2008), Counsel in the Parliament (2003–2007, 2009–2011, 2015), and Legal Counsel at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU (2001–2003). 

Kirsi Pimiä holds a degree in Master of Laws.