In several French-speaking countries and international organisations, a (French; literally 'head of office') is a senior

civil servant The civil service is a collective term for a sector of government composed mainly of career civil servants hired on professional merit rather than appointed or elected, whose institutional tenure typically survives transitions of political leaders ...

or official who acts as an aide or private secretary to a high-ranking government figure, typically a

minister Minister may refer to: * Minister (Christianity), a Christian cleric ** Minister (Catholic Church) * Minister (government), a member of government who heads a ministry (government department) ** Minister without portfolio, a member of government w ...

. They typically work in the ministerial office (). The title is used by the head of an office in the United Nations Secretariat, appointed by the Secretary-General, or in the

European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the executive of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (informally known as "Commissioners") headed by a President. It includes an administrative body ...

, appointed by an individual European Commissioner for their personal cabinet. The position's rank and responsibilities are equivalent to a chief of staff. The current to the United Nations Secretary-General is Courtenay Rattray of Jamaica.

References

Chiefs of staff French words and phrases {{EU-stub