James Blair Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

Vedette specialises in advising government clients in the European Institutions, Ireland and the UK across the defence and security landscape on: C2, strategy and concepts, logistics, training and education, innovation and research as well as acquisition and support.Our personnel regularly support national security & resilience projects and we are involved in building stability and capacity overseas. We have used our experienced team to focus on specific areas but also to ensure coherence across activities. We link conceptual work to the present-day realities and are increasingly aware of a continuum between training and education from individuals and small teams to enterprise-wide performance. We are especially aware of the challenges of formal acquisition but also the need to harness and cohere atomized innovation activities. We are currently engaged in a variety of activities to achieve fusion across government and to ensure there is a prominent whole force approach to building resilience and stability.

United Kingdom

Facilitating the military contribution to partner force capacity building at individual, organisational and institutional level.Enabling operations by facilitating civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) between the Force and non-military actors and the civil environment.Acting as the Defence coordinating authority for support to the delivery of Human Security (HS) operational outputs.Delivering a cultural property protection (CPP) capability in close cooperation with civilian authorities.Contributing to cross-government stabilisation & reconstruction (S&R) efforts.

Overseas

Deployed to support overseas operations.

United Kingdom

Member of a hybrid unit of Regulars and Reservists with specialist skills to combat new forms of warfare in the information environment for the defence of the UK and its overseas territories. Provide planning support to military commanders, their staff and Defence Attaché & Loan Service (DALS) personnel to enable them to deliver Outreach across the spectrum of military tasks and operational phases.This is done through:Facilitating the military contribution to partner force capacity building at individual, organisational and institutional level.Enabling operations by facilitating civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) between the Force and non-military actors and the civil environment.Acting as the Defence coordinating authority for support to the delivery of Human Security (HS) operational outputs.Delivering a cultural property protection (CPP) capability in close cooperation with civilian authorities.Contributing to cross-government stabilisation & reconstruction (S&R) efforts.

United Kingdom

The Military Stabilisation Support Group (MSSG) is a unique defence organisation that provides the UK with an array of skills and knowledge, that can be used to provide military support to the civilian efforts to stabilise countries around the world that are either emerging from conflict or are at risk of sliding into chaos.The MSSG’s activities are in support of government departments, such as the Stabilisation Unit .Whilst in many cases civilian experts are able to deliver the required effect, there are places where the security or political situation makes it preferable to use military personnel rather than civilians.The Group is a ‘Hybrid’ made up of full-time Regular personnel from all three Armed services as well as part-time Reservists from the Territorial Army and Royal Auxiliary Air Force. This blend enables the MSSG to make the most of the Regular’s capability to plan and respond to emerging crises and the Reservists’ civilian specialities and expertise.

London, United Kingdom

The Royal Yeomanry is a Light Cavalry Army Reserve regiment.The light cavalry soldier needs to be fit, adaptable and self-reliant, ready to work in small teams to get the job done. Often well in front of other friendly forces gathering intelligence on the enemy and environment, he is master of his equipment, mounted in light armoured vehicles (R-WMIKs). These are armed with the General Purpose Machine Gun, the Browning .50 Heavy Machine Gun, and carry the latest digital battlefield communications systems and surveillance optics, including thermal imaging, to see at night.The RY's role is to provide a rapidly-deployable force with fast mobility and substantial firepower. We provide reconnaissance, security and, if the situation demands it, decisive tactical effects by raiding and attacking the enemy.Training focused on the need to be as confident sending a vital radio message while driving cross-country as carrying out a covert night patrol or manning an Observation Post, or dismounting and fighting as infantry at close quarters, a mix of activities which few other units can match. Past Military experience;Royal Engineers 2001 to 2009 - 135 Geo Sqn (Geographic Engineer)ULOTC 1999 to 2000 - Officer CadetRoyal Engineers 1997 to 1999 - 135 Geo Sqn (Geographic Engineer)

London / Baghdad

Crown Agents has led this three phase project to build the capability of the Iraqi Intelligence agencies in order to safeguard against terrorism and physical threats. The project has been working to strengthen the capability of the Iraqi Government to respond coherently, inclusively and efficiently to terrorism threats and challenges.The team have developed close, trusted relationships with national government counterparts, training intelligence professionals and officials at all levels of six intelligence units as well as engaging one-on-one with key senior officials. This has supported the development of the Human Rights Compliant strategy helping build a safer Iraq.

London, United Kingdom

I provided leadership to the newly formed Stabilisation team within the Consultancy division at Crown Agents. The team comprises top tier principal consultants as well as senior project managers covering both a diverse thematic and geographic portfolio of work.We are trusted specialists with a long history of working with governments across the globe to build strong, accountable institutions in some of the world's most conflict-prone and politicised environments from the Middle East across North Africa to the Sahel. I contribute to the success of Crown Agents by delivering profitable business results and building CA's reputation as a 'go to' provider for stabilisation and humanitarian solutions through technical inputs and business development activity. Responsible for the team delivery of technical inputs, management of projects and identification, development and winning of opportunities.

Rzeszów, Podkarpackie, Poland

Forward deployed to establish our response hub providing essential aid from our offices in Ukraine and our operations base in Poland. Worked alongside our logistics team delivering life saving aid into the country. I was the first non Ukrainian member of staff member to cross back into Ukraine since hostilities began.Established relationships with the international response community, provided security assessments and duty of care planning for teams deployed to Poland and sat on the Crown Agents Crisis Management Team responsible for the duty of care of our Ukrainian colleagues who remained in Ukraine.

Myanmar

The Humanitarian Assistance and Resilience Programme (HARP) is a UK Government Department for International Development (DFID) initiative designed to respond to humanitarian needs within Myanmar and on the border with Thailand. It will provide £108.5 million from 2016-2020 for both protracted conflict-related crises and natural disasters. The mechanism is designed to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain the human dignity of people affected by crisis. The HARP Facility is a component of DFID’s broader HARP. The facility aims to increase effectiveness, quality and coverage of humanitarian assistance through the provision of grants, technical assistance and capacity building. This includes a focus on supporting national organisations and overall sectoral effects to improve the evidence base which will drive better performance within the humanitarian system in Myanmar.

London / Baghdad

Led operational management of the Iraqi team, comprising the management team in Baghdad and field survey teams tasked with data collection in Nineveh, Kirkuk, Anbar and Sal ad-Din governorates. Survey was to provide data and analysis on the areas in North-Western Iraq significantly affected by the conflict with ISIL to find candidate projects to be supported by JICA.The task required identifying and recruiting the Baghdad team, supervising their local operations and contributing to the reports under the conflict analysis and stabilisation sections.

United Kingdom

Responsible for the delivery of technical inputs, management of projects and identification, development and winning of opportunities.Primary focus is stabalistaion related acitivies in Middle East and North Africa FCAS (Fragile and Conflict Affected States)Technical Delivery• Thought leader in technical area, creating, accessing and sharing knowledge • Provide technical inputs to internal and external projects, marketing and promotion, planning activities and negotiations• Maintain and build technical knowledge and skills through Continuous Professional Development, training and industry awareness• Performance manage and guide assigned team members on technical and managerial aspects of technical delivery, identification of business opportunity and stakeholder/client relationship managementBusiness Development• Opportunity identification, tracking and management• Promotion of CA services through preparation of capability statements and marketing material, contact with clients, donors, associates and consultants• Oversee/lead the preparation of Expressions of Interest• Lead the preparation of project proposals: management of bidding process; associate and consultant selection; technical writing; commercial proposal and authorisation• Negotiation of contracts with clients, donors, associates and consultantsProject Delivery• Work closely with Project Managers providing technical inputs in the delivery of projects in area of technical specialism within contracted time and budget constraints.• Contract management in line with PMI and BMS• Quality assurance and compliance with terms of reference• Work closely with Project Managers in the management of project issues and risks

Uk / Juba

The Health Pooled Fund is a three and a half year fund, currently supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), the European Commission (EC) and the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The HPF supports services in six of South Sudan’s ten states: Eastern Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Unity and Lakes states.The key objectives of the HPF are: 1.To improve access, use, and quality of Primary Health Care services and Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services. 2.To increase accountability and effectiveness by working with community mechanisms for improving health and health education. 3.To support strengthening of key stewardship functions of the MoH including: planning, management, coordination, supervision and monitoring at all levels, in accordance with MoH guidelines and tools. HPF is a consortium led by Crown Agents; the consortium members are comprised of: Crown Agents, Health Partners International, Health Information Systems Programme, Montrose, SKILLS for South Sudan and Charlie Goldsmith Associates.

London / Tripoli

Crown Agents supported structured civil society participation in the drafting of Libya’s new constitution, providing critical support in-country even as the security situation deteriorated and the post-Gadhafi landscape became increasingly volatile and dangerous. On behalf of EUNIDA Crown Agents was contracted as the lead agency and GIZ subcontracted to provide a limited number of consultancy inputs totalling 15% of the overall contribution. In Libya we worked with the transitional government to promote two-way communication between citizens and government. This included facilitating the first ever National Civil Society Conference bringing together government ministers and leading civil society organisations.The security situation required close co-ordination with stakeholders and a flexible approach to planning. Our approach stressed constitutional awareness and peace building at the community level, and was designed to work across all sectors of Libyan society, paying particular attention to minority and gender issues.Over 100 trained facilitators were deployed to 59 of 60 electoral districts, who then staged some 200 community-level workshops, holding balanced debates on contentious issues that were vital to constitutional development. Core to the delivery of the programme was the establishment of links between trainers and their representatives in the Constitutional Development Assembly, giving those writing the constitution a direct link to civil society and vice versa: CSOs could feed directly into the CDA in Tripoli via their Constitutional Ambassadors. We remained in country throughout the violence, receiving a six month contract extension to further develop CSO groups. Following completion these CSOs have remained active and continue to share knowledge. In addition we trained transformational leaders across three communities that had grievances predating the 2011 revolution, establishing dialogue with ‘the other’.

London, United Kingdom

Contribute to the development of strategy, monitor company finanical performance and ensure systems of risk management are robust and defensible.

London, United Kingdom

• Formulated 3 year strategic growth plan which included appointment of new staff to deliver plan through to 2011• Directed EC Framework Contracts and ensured increased win rate in that business area• Ensured continuing exclusive contract for the provision of British Observers for EU Election Observation Missions• Grew the training programme revenue by 20% including increasing the base of overseas government clients

• Drafted proposals and budgets in team which won bids for projects of value greater than €1 million, including EU and UNDP contracts• Drafted and submitted consultancy reports to FCO/DFID and other clients• Selected UK team for EU Election Observation Missions, and managed the UK roster of observers on behalf of FCO.• Managed the field office in Ethiopia deputising for the Project Director, including the management of a team of ten coordinating day-to-day implementation of the domestic observer programme for Somali region (2005)• Designed the process for recruiting and selecting ERIS consultants, resulting in the creation of a targeted database facilitating better matching of candidates• Designed and delivered promotional materials, including the company website.• Drafted the performance management system for ERIS HQ office, and influenced the Chief Executive as a key member of the board to approve and subsequently implement it.

Headhunted to improve the efficiency of election observation missions and assist with project work• Drove a 10- fold improvement in speed and efficiency, a 100-fold increase in profitability and reduced the staff resource involved in the activity from 3 to 1, by transforming an unstructured, tracking and selection process to a professionally managed e-enabled system for handling prospective candidates, and those subsequently recruited. • Recruited, managed and deployed 200+ UK observers for OSCE election observation missions, including preparing briefing materials and coordinating logistical arrangements• Accountable as team leader for logistical arrangements and per-diem allocation for UK observers, whilst deployed on observation missions to Serbia, Russia, and Georgia

London, United Kingdom

Promoted to manage the performance of Crown Agents' Africa network of international offices, directing the promotion of the full range of CA group services and capabilities to existing and prospective clients in the Africa region.Responsible for coaching and mentoring the Africa network of Business Directors and Country Managers to improve lead generation, instilling a culture of rigour, discipline and visibility to outputs.Supervise the introduction of, and adherence to, corporate knowledge and business management systems and tools.Responsible for our offices in;EthiopiaGhanaKenyaMozambiqueNigeriaSouth AfricaTanzaniaUgandaZambiaZimbabwe

Headhunted to develop the strategy for international resourcing and build a centralised corporate team as part of the 2009 Strategic Change Management Programme.• Took over International Recruitment business function and oversaw 80% growth to revenue (December 2009)• Introduced new IT consultant database system that produced first year savings of £50,000 over previous system and on-going annual savings of £15,000. (August 2009)• Team transferred to Business Development Directorate and grew team from 4 to 7 resource advisors, creating an internal head-hunting function for internal clients (December 2009)• Appointed Chair of the Environmental Working Group responsible for corporate environmental policy• Integrated corporate IT recruitment through establishment of PSL producing typical savings of 12% over previous suppliers (July 2009)• Appointed member of graduate recruitment panel (February 2010)

United Kingdom

Short Term Observer: Azerbaijan (2009), Armenia (2008), Ukraine (2008), Ukraine (2007), Armenia (2005), Macedonia (2004), Russia (2003), Georgia (2003), Serbia & Montenegro (2003), Armenia (2003), Bosnia (2003), Armenia (2002), Kosovo (2001)

United Kingdom

EU International Election ObserverCambodia (2008), Malawi (2004), Sri Lanka (2004)

• Adviser on team responsible for coordinating and supporting implementation of Global Business Excellence (GLOBE) a universal platform supported by SAP architecture for integrating Nestlé worldwide (250,000 employees in 500 manufacturing sites)• Accountable for report formatting, collation, analysis and, tracking within the central communications UK team supporting GLOBE Centre Europe in Frankfurt• Extracted and reported monthly project updates to deliver to the UK GLOBE steering committee• Managed as part of 7-strong team, the development process for reporting tools used within the main SAP database, coordinating the outputs of software engineers for each corporate function

Bachelor'S Degree, War Studies, 2(I) Hons

Activities and Societies: Appointed Student Staff representative for 3rd Year finalists Active member of the ‘War Studies Society’ Member.

Master'S Degree, International Conflict Analysis, Distinction

Studied at London Centre for International Relations - now part of King's College London War studies Department. Thesis title: ‘.

Gcse & A Levels, 3 X A-Levels / 9 X Gcse

Activities and Societies: • Appointed school prefect (1995) • Appointed senior Naval Cadet for school CCF (Combined Cadet Force).