What does "undersecretary" mean?

An administrator immediately subordinate to a head of a government department or to a member of a cabinet

Undersecretary

Common synonyms include: alderman, archon, assistant secretary, bailie, burghermaster, burgomaster.

noun

noun ·6 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
An administrator immediately subordinate to a head of a government department or to a member of a cabinet
2
a secretary immediately subordinate to the head of a department of government wordnet
3
An assistant or deputy secretary of a government department

"The undersecretary was maintained in office by the political bosses."

From under- + secretary.