Alistair KERR

An experienced and adept political and economic analyst with influential over 30 years’ experience. Relationships across the Political and Central Government sectors of the UK and France. Applies expert knowledge and judgment in analysis and policy development on Parliamentary work; Energy; Environment; Global Human Rights and Press and Public Affairs. Academic and authoritative economic and political research, analysis and reports, authored and presented to Central Government Departments and Ministers, mainly at the Foreign Office. Expertise in quantitative analysis and collaborative research with an extensive network of economists and political analysts from think tanks, governments and international organizations. A pro-active leader, empowering staff and motivating teams to take ownership on large and diverse projects and work together to achieve individual targets and corporate objectives. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French and conversationally in Spanish and German. Seeking a challenging role in the Political and Economic research and analysis sectors.

Special Projects Adviser Nov 2008 - Dec 2009
2008-2009 Special Projects in Internal Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Group; Georgia Political Section; Counter-Terrorism Department, EU Directorate, Security and Estates Department.

Key achievements
• Successfully commissioned and coordinated the briefing for Sir Peter Ricketts’ (FCO Permanent Under-Secretary) evidence session with the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC). Sir Peter was able to answer all questions bowled by the FAC (2008)
• Provided timely advice to Ministers and senior officials on international and EU aspects of the UK’s political engagement with and on Georgia, including for meetings in New York, Brussels, Vienna and Geneva with high level international stakeholders

Parliamentary Clerk Oct 2006 – Sept 2008
Commissioning and authoring and editing briefings for Ministers for debates and FCO Oral and Written Parliamentary Questions. Policy advice to Ministers and provision of timely, accurate information to MPs and Peers. Attendance on Ministers at debates and advice to FCO Departments on Parliamentary matters and procedures. Liaison with other Parliamentary units including No 10, Cabinet Office, DFID and MOD.

Key achievements
• Reduced Parliamentary Team’s and Counter-Terrorism Department’s workload by dealing directly with MPs who tabled large numbers of Written Parliamentary Questions (2006) to resolve their concerns quickly and efficiently
• Delivered high-quality Ministerial briefing, in time for debates and briefings
• Kept the FCO consistently high in the unofficial league table of Departments delivering replies to Written Parliamentary Questions within the Parliamentary deadlines and House regulations
• Delivered a successful Working with Parliament course (6 times a year) for FCO officials with Parliamentary responsibilities, with presentations by MPs, Peers and senior officials

UK Energy Security of Supply, Climate Change and Energy Group
Nov 2003 – Apr 2004 and Aug 2004 - Aug 2006 (April – July 2004 in Iraq Policy Unit)

Policy Officer
Provided analysis and policy advice on the threats to the UK’s future energy supply, mainly oil and gas, as North Sea oil and gas began to run out and oil and gas are drawn from more distant, diverse and (often) insecure sources. Maintained close contact with concerned Government Departments, Energy Companies, Academics, Energy Think-Tanks and EU partners. Supervised day to day operations of the Nuclear Energy Desk Officer.

Key achievements
• Researched, wrote and secured Ministerial endorsement and adoption of the FCO’s 2004 classified Energy Hard Security Document. This involved a lot of original research and analysis, and working with a wide spectrum of organisations across Government (including MI5 and MI6), energy companies and academics;
• Converted the FCO’s UK Energy Hard Security Document into a Red-Amber-Green Risk Matrix, which is still in use;
• Assisted in researching and drafting FCO White Paper ‘UK Energy Supply: The Energy Strategy’.

British Embassy, Paris May 1999 – Aug 2003

Energy and Environment Attaché
Reporting and providing analysis to FCO and other Government Departments on France’s policies and plans on energy and the environment, including energy security of supply; nuclear energy; nuclear safety; transport policy. Close cooperation with French authorities in pollution issues; nuclear safety; nuclear transports.

Achievements:
• Delivered successful cooperation between France, UK and Channel Islands on two major marine pollution incidents
• Brokered a nuclear safety agreement between the UK, France and the Channel Islands (2002-2003)
• Organised and ran a successful one-day visit to Paris by HRH the Prince of Wales (2002)
• Ensured smooth UK/French cooperation over transports of nuclear waste reprocessed in UK and France to and from Japan in UK ships.

FCO Environment, Science and Energy Department 1996-1999
Assistant Energy Desk Officer. Large analytical and policy advice element.

Ensured the safe delivery of UK and EU food aid to populations in need, including war-displaced, refugees. Frequent visits to the Southern Sudanese war zone. Reported on aid activities, economic prospects, commercial activity.