Ms. Selvig holds a law degree from University of Copenhagen, and has since 1996 been director general and head of the Department of Coastal Affairs of the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. The responsibilities of the Department for Coastal Affairs include the infrastructure for maritime transport and safety at sea, ports and port security, oil spill preparedness and civil radio navigation policy and the National Coastal Directorate.
Ms. Selvig has studied one year at the Norwegian Defense College and has previously been assistant director general in the Department for Petroleum Affairs in the Norwegian Ministry of Finance. Ms. Selvig has also worked as legal advisor in the Danish Ministry of Environment.
Ms. Selvig has held various academic positions in the field of law at universities in Copenhagen and Oslo. She has over the years presented papers at various national and international conferences, and is author of articles published in Norwegian and foreign periodicals.