Director of the Emergency Response Centre

Duties:

As the head of the Emergency Response Centre, the Director is responsible for the strategic development of the institution, the quality and continuity of core services, organizational management capability, and the development of the Emergency Response Centre's role within the Estonian internal security, crisis preparedness, and civil protection system.

The Director ensures that the Emergency Response Centre is able to provide people with fast, professional, and caring assistance in both everyday situations and crises, and evolves alongside societal needs, technological possibilities, and changing security threats. Key cooperation partners are the Ministry of the Interior and its subordinate agencies, healthcare institutions and emergency service providers, the Government Office, other ministries and state agencies, local governments, and international cooperation partners.

The most important challenges facing the Director for 2027–2032 are:

Shaping the strategic role of the Emergency Response Centre

Shape a clear vision of the institution's role in the Estonian internal security, civil protection, and crisis management system, and align organizational development with the changed security environment, societal expectations, and technological possibilities.

Ensuring the quality, continuity, and crisis preparedness of critical services

Ensure the high quality and 24/7 availability of the Emergency Response Centre's core services and the organization's ability to continue providing critical services even in extensive and long-term crises. Strengthen the role of the Emergency Response Centre in disseminating crisis information and safety alerts, and shape clear roles, responsibilities, and cooperation models with partners for resolving crises.

Developing technology, data, and analytical capabilities

Lead the technological development of the Emergency Response Centre and implement data, automation, and artificial intelligence in a way that improves service quality and speed, supports employee decision-making, and increases organizational efficiency. Develop analytical capabilities to use Emergency Response Centre data for service development, early risk detection, and supporting strategic internal security decisions.

Developing integrated assistance and information services and partnerships

Develop an integrated and accessible assistance journey from the human perspective, reducing complexity caused by organizational and service boundaries. Shape the Emergency Response Centre into a strong cooperation partner that can work with the police, rescue, healthcare, local governments, and other stakeholders to develop joint services and solve problems that transcend organizational boundaries.

Shaping a strong and sustainable organization and management culture

Ensure the Emergency Response Centre's ability to recruit, develop, and retain people with the necessary competencies. Develop management quality and a strong leadership team, and shape an organizational culture characterized by clarity, responsibility, cooperation, learning, and high employee well-being.

The specifics of the position stem from the Emergency Response Centre's charter.

We offer:

The opportunity to work in the public service as a member of a unified team for the benefit of the Estonian state.

Other requirements:

Requirements for the candidate:

• Master's degree or equivalent level of education;
• At least 5 years of experience in managing an organization or a structural unit;
• English language proficiency at least at C1 level;
• Competencies according to the competency model for top managers in the public service (see competency model).

Preferred qualities for the candidate:

• Experience in managing large-scale or critical services;
• Experience in strategic and organizational change management;
• Experience in digitalization, technological transformation, or data-driven management;
• Experience in crisis management or business continuity assurance;
• Experience in sectoral and international cooperation;
• Understanding of the functioning of the public sector and/or internal security.

We expect the candidate to either possess a security clearance or be ready to apply for one.

Work from home possibility: No