Hungary Seeks a President of the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority: Applications Due 16 November

Hungary has opened a call for applications to find the first president of the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority (Országos Élőkörnyezet-felügyeleti Főhatóság, OÉKFH), Minister for the Living Environment László Gajdos announced in a Facebook post on 6 November. The president of the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority will lead the new top-level green authority that starts operating on 1 January 2027; applications close at 12:00 on 16 November 2026, and the selection must be completed by 5 December.

In our previous article we explained in detail what Government Decree 412/2026 (XI. 5.) contains and how the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority will be structured. Just one day after the decree was published, the search for the organisation’s leader is already under way: the Ministry for the Living Environment (ÉKFM) has posted the vacancy on the Hungarian civil service job portal (Közszolgállás) under reference number 174669.

In short: Candidates for president of the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority need at least five years of relevant experience in one of the authority’s fields, including at least three years in management, plus a related, legal or economics degree. Applications, with a professional programme and three named referees, must be emailed to karrier@ekfm.gov.hu by 12:00 on 16 November 2026; incomplete applications cannot be corrected later.

What did László Gajdos announce?

According to the minister’s post, the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority will be established on 1 January 2027, and the call for applications for its presidency has now been published. Gajdos said that the top-level green authority, operating under the direct control of the ÉKFM, will strengthen the protection of Hungary’s natural assets and living environment at national level.

The post is a permanent, full-time government service position based in Budapest. Status and pay are governed by Act CXXV of 2018 on government administration and related government decrees; the notice does not state a specific salary.

President of the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority: requirements

Alongside the general legal requirements of the status (clean criminal record, full legal capacity and Hungarian citizenship), the notice sets two professional conditions:

• experience: at least five years of relevant experience in environmental protection, waste management, nature conservation, forestry, water management, climate protection, gene technology or animal welfare, of which at least three years in a management position;
• education: a university degree related to these fields, a law degree, or a university degree in economics.

Further advantages include management experience at a public administration body, budget management experience, a public administration or legal professional exam, international professional experience, foreign language skills (especially English), and experience with the media and public appearances.

What must be submitted, and how does selection work?

Applications must include:

• a CV with photo, following the template prescribed by law;
• a professional programme;
• copies of degrees and qualifications;
• a declaration of a clean criminal record, consent to the review of the application file, and a declaration that the applicant is not subject to any re-employment ban or restriction.

Applications must be sent electronically to karrier@ekfm.gov.hu, marked “OÉKFH elnök”, and must name at least three referees able to vouch for the applicant’s professional work (name, position, organisation and contact details).

Selection takes place in two stages: a formal and professional pre-screening that includes assessment of the candidate’s professional vision, followed by a structured professional interview. Notably, no corrections or supplements are accepted after submission, so only complete applications received on time will be assessed. The ministry reserves the right to declare the call unsuccessful, in which case it will not re-advertise the post.

Why is the timeline so tight?

The short ten-day application window follows from the decree itself. Government Decree 412/2026 (XI. 5.) requires the minister to appoint the president within 30 days of the decree’s entry into force on 6 November 2026 — hence the 5 December deadline for deciding on applications. The appointment, however, only takes effect on the day the authority is created, 1 January 2027, which is also the planned start date of the post.

Under the decree, the president may take the preparatory steps needed to appoint the director of the Budapest Living Environment Supervisory Authority even before taking office. This matters because, from 1 January, that authority takes over battery manufacturing and battery waste management cases with nationwide jurisdiction.

What will the new leader be responsible for?

According to the notice, the president represents the authority, directs its work, prepares its work plan, organisational and operational rules and internal regulations, ensures the lawful and efficient use of its budget, and exercises employer’s rights over its staff. The president reports to the minister and cooperates with other bodies carrying out environmental tasks. Under the decree, the president is supported by up to five vice-presidents and — after seeking the minister’s prior opinion — appoints the directors of the territorial authorities.

The first president will have to build an entirely new institution. In the first half of 2027, the central authority will already provide professional direction to the environmental, waste management, nature conservation and water units of the government offices, and from 1 July 2027 it will run a network of 20 territorial authorities as those units are merged into it. We have been following Hungary’s return to a standalone national environmental authority since the government’s announcement in September; for waste management operators, the key point is that this network will issue permits and impose fines going forward.

dontwasteit.hu will continue to report on developments concerning the authority’s leadership after the appointment is made.

President of the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority – FAQ

Who can apply to become president of the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority?

Hungarian citizens with a clean criminal record can apply if they have at least five years of relevant experience in one of the authority’s fields, including at least three years in management. A related university degree, a law degree or an economics degree is also required. Management experience in public administration and English skills count as advantages.

What is the application deadline, and where should applications be sent?

The deadline is 12:00 on 16 November 2026. Applications must be emailed to karrier@ekfm.gov.hu marked “OÉKFH elnök” and must name at least three professional referees. No corrections or supplements are accepted after submission, so only complete applications received on time will be assessed by the Ministry for the Living Environment.

Which documents must be submitted with the application?

Applicants must submit a CV with photo, a professional programme and copies of their degrees and qualifications. They must also provide a declaration of a clean criminal record, consent to the review of their application file, and a declaration that they are not subject to any re-employment ban or restriction.

How does selection work, and when will the president be appointed?

Selection has two stages: a formal and professional pre-screening, followed by a structured professional interview. The decision deadline is 5 December 2026, in line with the decree requiring the minister to appoint the president within 30 days of its entry into force. The appointment takes effect on 1 January 2027.

🔗 Official sources and references: 👉

• • László Gajdos’s Facebook post (6 November 2026): facebook.com
  • Közszolgállás portal – vacancy notice of the Ministry for the Living Environment: President of the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority (174669)
  • Hungarian Official Gazette (Magyar Közlöny) No. 166 of 2026 (5 November 2026): Government Decree 412/2026 (XI. 5.) on the National Living Environment Supervisory Authority

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