Leader for Formas - The Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Industries and Community Building

The Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Industries and Community Building (Formas) is a government research financier under the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise. Its main task is to promote and support basic research and need-driven research in the areas of environment, agricultural industries, and community building, as well as innovation to some extent. The activities range from fundamental research to challenge-driven thematic research initiatives, innovation, communication, utilization, and stakeholder collaboration. The activities are funded by administrative grants from the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise. The funding is provided by the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise and the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure. Formas also hosts the Council for Evidence-Based Environmental Analysis and the Climate Policy Council. Formas is the host authority for the Climate Policy Council.

Other tasks of Formas include conducting systematic analyses to support the development of cost-effective regulatory measures and actions, analyzing which research needs are urgent from a research and societal perspective, and integrating gender equality into the work. The authority also has several long-term government assignments that involve increased collaboration with other financiers and stakeholders. Formas is led by a Director General who is the head of the authority. The head of the authority is a member of the Research Council, which is a special decision-making body tasked with deciding how Formas' grants should be allocated, making strategic decisions about the direction of research, and determining guidelines for fund distribution. The authority has just over 100 employees and is located in Stockholm.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who is a documented good leader and manager and has:

• experience in leading and developing complex and knowledge-intensive organizations.
• experience in leading through other managers.
• good knowledge of Swedish and European research and innovation policy.
• experience in strategic work with research and innovation issues.
• experience in utilizing research results for societal development.
• knowledge of public administration and its decision-making processes.
• understanding of the political context and administrative structure within which the authority operates.
• relevant academic degree.
• very good knowledge of Swedish and English.

You should also have the ability to:

• communicate the authority's tasks and work pedagogically.
• strategically lead the operations based on the authority's mission.
• lead an organization in development and change.
• strategically work with competence supply issues.
• represent the employer's interest and, together with other heads of authorities, develop the public employer policy.
• engage and motivate qualified employees.
• represent the authority in Sweden and internationally and communicate the authority's tasks clearly and credibly.

It is advantageous if you have:

• knowledge of the authority's subject areas and research and innovation needs within these.
• experience from the business sector.
• experience in developing collaboration between business, public sector, and academia in broad stakeholder constellations.
• experience in international cooperation/EU collaboration.
• knowledge of financial management.
• knowledge of digitalization of operations.

More Information

More information about the position can be obtained from Charlotta Fred, unit manager, and Daniel Westlén, state secretary. Questions about employment conditions and the recruitment process can be answered by Michael Östervall, Office for Management Supply to Authorities. You can reach them via the Government Offices switchboard, tel 08-405 10 00. Confidentiality applies to information about the identity of individual candidates.

Expression of Interest

Welcome to register your expression of interest and CV in our recruitment tool no later than April 7, 2025.

The Swedish public administration consists of about 200 authorities that are directly under the government. The government appoints the heads of authorities and decides on their employment conditions. The salary is individual and is determined based on the requirements placed on the position and the qualifications and experiences of the manager. Most heads of authorities are appointed for a fixed term – normally the first appointment period is six years.