In November, Triin Toomesaar will begin leading the Ministry of Internal Affairs' religious affairs and civil society department.
The former head Ilmo Au is moving to a new position outside the ministry. His position was filled by a new person. The competition took place in August-September. The competition was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs after Au decided to take a new position.
Ministry spokesperson Kaja Sepp said no reorganization was needed. Ilmo Au had worked at the ministry since 1993.
In February, a structural change was made at the ministry. Two departments were merged: religious affairs and civil society.
The department's main task is shaping policy for religious associations and civil society. They analyze issues of religious life and handle religious matters. They also plan and organize civil society development.
Triin Toomesaar's salary is 4850 euros per month. Toomesaar studied at Tallinn University of Technology and earned a master's degree from Tallinn University.
She worked as an Estonian language and literature teacher. Later she served as director of the Bullying-Free School NGO. She worked on anti-bullying efforts and taught civic activism in schools.
In 2021, Toomesaar became a presidential cultural adviser. She managed the president's cultural foundation. Toomesaar was also a member of the Social Democratic Party. She ran in the 2023 parliamentary elections but was not elected.