His public service career includes extensive leadership in Norway's Ministry of Justice and Public Security as Director of the Crisis Support Unit (from 2008). He previously served in the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) as Head of the Analysis and Evaluation Unit and as Department Director for National Preparedness. His background also encompasses service as a military medical officer, pre-hospital acute care practitioner, and academic lecturer and head of department at Buskerud University College.
He holds a master's degree and doctoral-level academic qualifications in nursing science from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oslo. His military and strategic education includes the staff and senior courses at the Norwegian Defence Intelligence and Security School and the NATO Defense College in Rome.