Vigdis Kjelseth

Vigdis Kjelseth currently serves as Vaktleder at Utenriksdepartementet since January 2024, following a role as Senior Duty Officer at the Foreign Service Response Center within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Experienced in bilateral relations particularly in the Middle East, Kjelseth was a Senior Adviser in the Section for Middle East and North Africa from August 2021 to March 2024, focusing on GCC-affairs involving Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. Prior to that, Kjelseth held various adviser and leadership roles within the Ministry, including responsibilities in HR, policy advice on consular affairs, and crisis management. Notably, Kjelseth has extensive experience in political affairs, having served as Counsellor at the Royal Norwegian Embassies in Kabul and Islamabad, with a strong emphasis on political analysis, peace projects, and reconciliation efforts. Educational background includes Cand.mag degrees in Middle Eastern Studies and History from the University of Oslo.