Peter Smith Email & Phone Number

Ireland

Galway, County Galway, Ireland

Galway, County Galway, Ireland

• Integral part of the project group that developed and launched innovative and agile L&D careers advisory service and e-learning platform at www.mycareerpath.ie.• Collaborate with industry and community bodies in the western region to provide guidance, coaching, and mentoring, enhancing employees' and students’ skills and employability.• As industry liaison, establish sustainable relationships with internal and external stakeholders and facilitate participation in pilot programs.• Develop learning and development pathways, organised information sessions, and conducted onboarding both on-site and virtually.• Conduct continuous evaluation and review of the service's learning pathways using skills gaps analysis and multi-level evaluation.• Collaborate and support IT team to promptly resolve platform issues and address client feedback to meet growing demand.• Collaboration with instructional designers and academic/industry stakeholders to design and build bespoke pathways and skills modules.• Promotion of the service by actively participating in industry engagement events, conferences, and leveraging excellent networking, interpersonal, and persuasion skills to build effective connections.• Leverage the skills and qualifications accumulated over a multi-disciplined career to excel as an industry liaison, and provide effective coaching and mentoring for this dynamic and evolving project.

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Accomplished Senior Officer with expertise in finance, procurement, and external education provision within the Defence Forces. Proven track record managing multimillion-euro budgets and ensuring regulatory compliance. Main advisor to Director, contributing to strategic finance, procurement, and learning/training initiatives. Skilled in forging partnerships with all stakeholders and streamlining processes for optimal results.• Led as Senior Officer overseeing Finance, Procurement, and External Education provision for all training within the Defence Forces.• Managed the DF training budget, supervising over €2.5 million in 2021. Ensured adherence to Public Procurement Guidelines and proper governance of all transactions. Reported directly to Military Finance & Department of Defence, providing regular briefings and updates. Successfully demonstrated creativity and initiative in managing projected spend despite budget challenges caused by COVID-19.• Provided strategic guidance to the Director on finance, procurement, and learning/training strategy.• Served as the primary liaison between the Defence Forces and third-level academic institutions for specialised leadership and management of career courses. Collaborated with the DF Registrar, relevant accreditation bodies, and 3rd level institutions to ensure compliance with DF Accreditation Programs and proper financing of professional registration fees.• Ensured accurate processing and accounting of capital expenditures on internal military logistics accountancy system. Acted as the liaison with all DF clubs and societies for purchasing and procurement. Maintained meticulous documentation of business cases and adherence to Public Procurement Guidelines, while overseeing the efficient operation/administration of the e-tendering process.• Cultivated positive inter-agency cooperation and strong working relationships with suppliers, necessitating exceptional planning, organisation, and relationship management skills.

Various Unit Locations Across Ireland - Donegal, Limerick & Galway

Experienced and accomplished military professional with a proven track record in senior management roles, strategic leadership, and operational excellence. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated expertise in overseeing diverse areas such as operations, training, HR, and discipline, while ensuring high levels of performance and operational readiness. With a strong focus on proactive leadership and team development, I have successfully built and nurtured effective leadership groups within my organization. Additionally, my experience includes regional leadership responsibilities, managing complex training programs, and coordinating large-scale operational events. I have also played a key role in supporting national efforts, including involvement in COVID operations and strategic cooperation with various government departments.• Senior management position overseeing operations, training, HR, and discipline for a team of 130-200 personnel. Conducted performance appraisals.• Responsible for ensuring operational readiness KPIs are met and addressing ineffectivity among soldiers.• Developed a proactive and effective leadership group delivering full Defence Forces capability.• Regional lead managing intake of three Recruit Platoons, overseeing staff preparation, training, administration, logistics, and comprehensive training syllabi delivery. Guided and supervised NCOs and Officers.• Supervised and coordinated all operations personnel. Experienced in national and international military operations, including high-profile events such as HRH Prince of Wales' visit and the Papal Visit in 2018.• Actively participated in COVID operations, serving as Deputy State Liaison Officer overseeing four Mandatory Quarantine Facility hotels in Dublin. This role involved strategic-level cooperation and liaison between the Defence Forces, Department of Health, Department of Justice, and the hotel group acting as a single service provider.

South Lebanon

• As OC BSG, I was responsible for leading 120 Specialist Soldiers and 22 locally employed personnel. Additionally, as Camp Commandant, I oversaw the real-life support of Irish, Finnish, and Estonian soldiers in UN Post 2-45, an international military compound with over 500 personnel in Southern Lebanon.• My role included implementing camp security measures, maintaining camp infrastructure, coordinating activities of logistics, engineering, medical, transport, military police, ordnance, and communications platoons. This involved integrating support elements and specialist groups with headquarters and other tactical units to support the Irish Military mission effectively.• I coordinated and synchronized pre-deployment training, ensuring that various sections came together as a cohesive and efficient team. This involved different specialist groups within the Irish and Finnish contingents, as well as local contractors.• As project manager, I successfully organized and executed various VIP delegation visits, collaborating with higher military and civilian UN appointments, civilian contractors, and traders. I managed projects from inception to mission accomplishment.• Daily problem-solving was crucial for real-life support issues, medical evacuation procedures, and camp infrastructure. Given the close quarters of soldiers from different nationalities, maintaining and improving the international relationship between Irish and Finnish soldiers was a priority during my tenure.• I held primary responsibility for locally employed personnel and ensured proper coordination with local contractors. This included obtaining security clearances from UN higher HQ, developing legal contracts in collaboration with our Legal Officer, and maintaining cultural sensitivity when interacting with different religious sects to avoid favoritism perception.

Athlone, County Roscommon, Ireland

• This senior management position includes responsibility for all operational, training, HR and discipline issues in addition to all performance appraisal management. • Supervision and coordination of all operations for the 120 personnel under my command. • Responsible for the selection of personnel for overseas and relevant courses, whilst ensuring the functional ability of the company.• Performed the function of Prison Duty Officer for the Military Element in Portlaoise High Security Prison for four months. This entailed maintenance of Security Guard 24/7, rotation of Guard Platoons, coordination of all prisoner escorts outside the prison. As senior onsite officer I had direct responsibility for coordination and liaison with the Irish Prison Service pers on behalf on the Defence Forces.• Commanded the military element in Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) operations in severe weather crisis. Specifically this required me to lead crisis management meetings, coordinating large deployment of soldiers to affected areas and the rescue and evacuation of local population.

Athlone, County Roscommon, Ireland

• As the regional logistic officer I was responsible for the operation and supervision of a sub head allocation of €20 million which included barrack services, weapons, ammunition, transport, signals and IT equipment.• Development and implementation of a security plan for the all installation across the western region including the largest Military Garrison in the country.• Management and supervision of all civilian and military logistical staff across the western region.• Implementation of the Defence Forces Energy and Waste Management strategy in accordance with ISO 150001.• Management of subsistence and expense accounts, which includes examining and authorizing all payments for travel expenses and operational duties.• Auditing of all army canteen accounts to produce reports outlining the liquidity and sustainability of individual accounts.• Was project manager for various working groups that oversaw the closure of four (4) military installations and the reorganisation of the Defence Forces in 2012/13. This involved setting up of Audit/Inspection teams and the creation of Boards of Survey to disestablish closing Units and the absorbing and movement of millions of euro worth of assets into remaining installations and Units. This was in preparation for all accounts to be inspected and audited by External Audit Branch from the Department of Defence in order to properly close down units and accounts which was completed by the end of 2014.

South Lebanon

• Development and implementation of a Battalion training plan for the pre-deployment phase and operational deployment of a six month tour of duty to Lebanon.• Conducted an in depth skills needs analysis prior to deployment to identify critical skills gaps, resources additional training and ensure the battalion skill set was fit for purpose to achieve mission aims.• Liaison with higher headquarters to facilitate courses, training briefs and seminars for all troops based in Lebanon.• Management of media visits to Lebanon – This involved briefing the media on the roles and responsibilities of the unit serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).• Initiated, organised and co-ordinated multi-national Riot Control Training between Irish, Italian and local Lebanese forces.• Responsible for organising, co-ordinating and instructing refresher training for all Irish troops in vital overseas military skills such as Improvised Explosive Device recognition and awareness.• Commanded mobile armoured patrols in the Area of Operations and to Beirut International Airport and organised and co-ordinated with UN HQ the rotation of Irish troops in and out of Lebanon when the six month mission had concluded.

Athlone, County Roscommon, Ireland

• Platoon Commander in charge of training courses which included Potential NCOs course, Map Reading Instructors course and ECDL course – This involved the delivery of lectures, presentations and briefs as well as the management and evaluation of tactical exercises.• Management and implementation of a training syllabus for various specialist weapons courses. • Development and implementation of weekly training programme to ensure all modules and subjects were covered in accordance with course syllabus and Defence Forces regulations and overseeing the implementation of same.• Maintainance of individual training records for students and staff as well as completing performance appraisals for all pers on completion of courses.• Commanded the military element in Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) operations in severe weather crisis.

N'Djamena, Abeche & Goz Beida, Chad

• Responsible for all real life support for the Irish Battalion (450 personnel) located in Goz Beida, Western Chad. This included everything from food, water and fuel to all logistic requirements throughout the 6 months.• Responsible for all goods and equipment arriving into the area of operations and onwards transmission by road, rail and air to Goz Beida. This project was a huge undertaking and was vital for the establishment and sustaining of the Irish Camp in Chad.• Responsible for organising the contracting of, and liaising with, national and international freight companies for the transportation of an extensive array of transport, tentage, communications, medical, catering, electrical and engineering equipment, as well as highly sensitive military munitions and weapons, throughout this region.• Responsible for the day to day operation of Contingent accounts worth in excess of €2.4 million over the 6 months of my tour of duty.• While based in the Capital of Chad, N’Djamena I worked in a multi-national camp with a multitude of other European Military personnel and had to develop many contacts locally within Chad and Cameroon for procurement of equipment and goods as well as the contracting of services.

Donegal, County Donegal, Ireland

• Managing all HR, operational and administration of a platoon of 30 soldiers and junior leaders.• Liaison with local authorities, Gardai and other state agencies during border security operations.• Responsible for training and command permanent military guard on Portlaoise Prison for three month operational deployment.• Development of efficient patrolling schedules to maximise all resources available.• Development and implementation of a training plan to ensure all operational tasks, including overseas deployments were met.• Auditing of accounts to ensure compliance with Defence Forces Regulations.

Diploma (Level 8), Learning & Development

Post Grad Diploma (Level 9), Guidance Counselling

Higher Diploma (Level 8), Leadership, Defence & Contemporary Security

Bachelor'S Degree, Arts