tengiliði

Tengiliði is the Icelandic term for a liaison or contact person who serves as an intermediary between organizations, institutions, or groups to facilitate communication, coordinate activities, and bridge gaps in understanding.

Etymology: the word comes from tengja, meaning to connect or link, combined with the agentive suffix -liði, forming a noun that denotes “the person who connects.”

A tengiliði acts as the primary point of contact, gathers and relays information, drafts briefs, schedules meetings, and helps negotiate common positions or deadlines. They often maintain confidentiality, monitor progress, and ensure that commitments are fulfilled.

Contexts for use include government and diplomacy, where a tengiliði may work between ministries or with international partners; in business, where they coordinate cross-departmental efforts or external collaborations; and in non-governmental organizations, where they liaise with communities, funders, or other stakeholders.

Skills and qualifications commonly associated with the role include strong communication and interpersonal abilities, organizational and project management competence, discretion, and knowledge of the relevant domains or stakeholder groups. In international settings, fluency in Icelandic and other languages can be advantageous.

Overall, a tengiliði serves to improve efficiency and coherence by ensuring timely information flow, aligning interests, and facilitating productive interactions between parties.