Ställföreträdare

Ställföreträdare is a Swedish term for a person who temporarily stands in for someone else in an official capacity. The word combines ställ, meaning to stand in, with förrädare, a representative or proxy, and denotes a deputy or substitute who carries out another person’s duties for a defined period or until a vacancy is filled.

The concept is widely used in public administration, organizations, and companies to ensure continuity of leadership and decision-making when the primary officeholder is absent, on leave, or a position is vacant. A ställföreträdare is usually appointed by delegation, by a board, or by statutory provisions, and the duration and scope of their authority are specified in the appointment. Their responsibilities typically include performing tasks within the defined mandate, signing documents within their remit, chairing meetings when required, and representing the organization externally.

Ställföreträdare should be understood as a standing-in role rather than a permanent appointment to a different job. Depending on context, terms like tillförordnad or vikarie may be used, distinguishing between a temporary acting position and a broader temporary job assignment. The exact powers and limits of a ställföreträdare are therefore defined by the appointing body, organizational rules, or applicable law.

Examples include a municipality appointing a ställföreträdare for the chair of a council committee during a prolonged absence, or a department head designating a deputy to act in their stead. The concept helps organisations maintain governance and operational continuity in the absence of the regular holder of a position.