Special Adviser Krista Heinonen

1. Who are you?

I’m Krista Heinonen, a 28-year-old Master of Social Sciences from the University of Helsinki. I’ve worked as a Special Adviser in the Defence Policy Department in the Ministry of Defence since August 2020. Before that, I served in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior as well as in the EU and the UN. During my free time I like to play football and I also study Arabic.

2. What’s your job profile like?

My job is in the Planning Unit, but tasks relating to coordination of processes linked to the responsibilities of the whole Department take up the majority of my working time. I am responsible for directing the operational and resource planning and monitoring processes of the Defence Policy Department, coordinating the Department’s internal communications, and participating in risk management and analysis of the operational environment. I have also contributed to the preparation of the Defence Policy Report.

3. How did you come to work at the Ministry of Defence?

I’ve worked with foreign and security policy matters before and for a number of years I’ve wanted to learn more about the defence sector. When I was working on my Master’s degree, I also did minor studies in strategy at the National Defence University in Santahamina. That was when I started to think that I could have a career in the defence policy sector. I found my current job through a job advertisement on the valtiolle.fi website.  

4. What is the best thing about your job?

The best thing is the good work atmosphere and an interesting job content. I can focus on purely national themes, which balances out nicely with my background in international topics. I’ve learned a lot while working beyond my comfort zone - what can be more rewarding than challenging oneself and enjoying it!

5. Describe your workplace with a few words.

It consists of a dynamic combination of experts in different subject areas. I’d say that they are dedicated and highly skilled people with a good sense of humour.