Special Adviser Timo Nyyssönen

1. Who are you?

My name is Timo Nyyssönen, and I work as a Special Adviser in the Materiel Unit of the Resource Policy Department in the Ministry of Defence. I live in Hämeenlinna, where I moved for work a number of years ago, and originally I come from Mikkeli in Eastern Finland.

I studied at the Faculty of Law at the University of Turku and graduated in January 2002.

During my leisure time, I engage in all forms of building and physical activity, such as cycling, skiing and orienteering. I enjoy woodwork and I am currently working on a couple of tables and an oak bird feeder. My leisure time interests also include photography, hiking and travel.

2. What does your job involve?

I mainly work with materiel procurement for the Defence Forces and the Defence Administration.

Naval defence procurement are my main area of responsibility in the Materiel Unit and, therefore, the Squadron 2020 project and related industrial cooperation are in focus. I am also working on various strategic partnerships, partnership agreements and international materiel cooperation.

The job includes both independent document preparation and teamwork between the Materiel Unit, the Resource Policy Department and other departments of the Ministry of Defence. In practice, teamwork plays a role also in the coordination between industry and other ministries.

3. How did you end up working at the Ministry of Defence?

I wish there was an interesting story!

The path to the Ministry of Defence was created as a sum of many coincidences, which may be best described as a drifting log theory. On graduation, I worked for a while as teacher of international law at university. After that I decided to undergo court training in Tampere, from where I took up a position as a bank lawyer first in Mikkeli and then in Hämeenlinna.

My first contact with the work of a lawyer in the defence administration came during a refresher training and when I noticed that the Defence Command was looking to recruit a military lawyer, I decided to apply for the position. I then moved from Defence Command Finland to the Ministry of Defence, where I have been now for the past five years. Right from the start at the Ministry of Defence, I have been working with a wide range of challenging topics and the difference to earlier positions in the private sector has been significant. For example, as soon as I started at the Ministry I have been involved with the Squadron 2020 project. There is a big difference compared to estate inventories, wills and real estate transactions!

4. What are current issues in your work at the moment?

Various projects and procurements are topical in my work. Squadron 2020 is on the table and its progress will be discussed at various meetings. Defence procurement is a media sensitive topic, which is understandable in the context of purchases that often attract public interest and involve significant investments in national defence with taxpayers’ money.

Sometimes procurements gain high visibility in the media, which is why it is important to cooperate with the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Defence. It was nice to see how much attention the additional procurements for the Army’s K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers attracted on the social media. In addition to projects like this, I am also involved in updating the Defence Administration’s procurement instructions. A few international contractual arrangements and participation in the preparation of the SERA course are also under way.

The SERA (Séssion Européenne des Résponsables d’Armement) is a four-week course for defence materiel experts organised by France. One week of the course takes place in May 2022 in Finland. It will bring together nearly a hundred representatives of defence industries and administrations. Finnish expertise, defence solutions and the national defence industry will be presented to them. The event will serve as a great showcase for the rest of Europe.

5. How has the working culture of the Ministry of Defence changed during your career?

There have not been very dramatic changes in the five years that I have worked here.

My post and areas of responsibility have remained the same during that period, but the field of duties has undergone changes and many new things have emerged. Working methods have improved gradually, and the biggest change is probably the update of remote working methods as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The benefits of remote work have been recognised, and for me living outside of Helsinki remote work has significantly reduced the burden and costs of commuting, which has benefited my wellbeing and economy. I now have more time for both work and myself as there is less train travel. This is a win-win situation.

6. What is the best thing about your job?

The best part of my work is people, tasks and a story. A good work atmosphere carries and supports one a long way. It is easy to maintain my interest when the tasks are sufficiently challenging and versatile. My job is multi-faceted and I get to work with significant topics. I need variety and challenges, which is exactly what the job offers. In addition, I can be part of something bigger, as we create security for citizens to live a stable life.

7. Describe your workplace with a few words.

My workplace is surprisingly relaxed. There is a large personnel in the Resource Policy Department so everyone can find like-minded colleagues. We have different individuals who head towards the same goal with a lot of efficiency. It’s fine, but it’s good!