Þorsteinn Björnsson
Brussels
Summary
Accomplished senior professional with over 20 years of experience and a proven track record in inter-institutional negotiations, programme coordination and donor relations. Skilled in policy analysis, diplomacy and budget administration. Previous experience in working with the Council of Europe and OECD as well as programmes and policies related to fundamental rights, rule of law, and strengthening civil society.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Officer
EFTA Secretariat
08.2019 - Current
- Coordinator of EEA EFTA states' participation in EU programmes.
- Responsible for annual EEA EFTA states' contribution to the EU budget.
- Policy officer for research and innovation, education, training and youth and consumer affairs.
- Previously policy officer for gender equality, anti-discrimination and family policy.
Senior Officer
EEA and Norway Grants - Financial Mechanism Office
05.2013 - 08.2021
- Country Officer for Portugal, Slovenia, Malta and Bulgaria
- Programme manager for several EEA and Norway Grants programmes
- Bilateral Officer and member of bilateral team
- Sector Officer in Funds and Horizontal concerns unit in the last year of contract. Participated in the implementation Fund for Regional Cooperation and Good Governance programmes.
Specialist
Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
09.2011 - 05.2013
- Team leader responsible for programming and implementation of EU´s pre-accession assistance to Iceland (IPA)
- Coordinated a team of national and international experts
Senior Advisor
Icelandic Centre for Research
08.2003 - 09.2011
- National Contact Point for European framework programmes for research and innovation
- Proposal writer and project manager for several EU funded projects
- Donor programme partner for the EEA Grants
Lecturer, Faculty of Political Science (part-time)
University of Iceland
09.2007 - 05.2010
- Taught courses at graduate and undergraduate level on European integration and decision-making and institutions of the European Union
- Guidance and assessment of students´final theses.
Trainee
EFTA Secretariat
01.2003 - 05.2003
- Traineeship in Goods unit
Education
Post-graduate Diploma - Public Administration
University of Iceland
Reykjavík, Iceland05.2021
Master of Arts - European Studies
Eberhard-Karls University
Tübingen, Germany06.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, International Relations
University of Iceland
Reykjavík05.2001
Skills
- Inter-institutional negotiations
- Donor and beneficiary relations
- Programme management
- Policy analysis
- Budget administration
- Report and proposal writing
Languages
Icelandic
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Advanced (C1)
German
Upper intermediate (B2)
Danish
Intermediate (B1)
French
Elementary (A2)
Timeline
Senior Officer
EFTA Secretariat
08.2019 - Current
Senior Officer
EEA and Norway Grants - Financial Mechanism Office
05.2013 - 08.2021
Specialist
Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
09.2011 - 05.2013
Lecturer, Faculty of Political Science (part-time)
University of Iceland
09.2007 - 05.2010
Senior Advisor
Icelandic Centre for Research
08.2003 - 09.2011
Trainee
EFTA Secretariat
01.2003 - 05.2003
Post-graduate Diploma - Public Administration
University of Iceland
Master of Arts - European Studies
Eberhard-Karls University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, International Relations
University of Iceland
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