Harry's Place

Why not give Derek Pasquill a job?

General
Organised and methodical approach to office work with extensive experience of managing small teams of committed individuals. Creative approach to problem solving. Looking for new opportunities to put skills to good use.
Key Skills

• Great attention to detail
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible and adaptable approach

Employment

Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1984 – 2008

2001 – 2008: Environment Policy Department (EPD), and more recently Engaging with the Islamic World Group (EIWG), FCO, London

At both departments I organised important events – an environmental project selection board for the former, and a screening of Chloe Ruthven’s film Young, British and Muslim in the FCO’s Locarno Suite for the latter. This involved liaison with a large number of stakeholders and what I appreciated most was the opportunity to commit single-mindedly to successful outcomes.

Locarno Suite, King Charles Street, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

1997 – 2001: British Vice Consul, British Embassy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

This position required a combination of the following skills: detective-cum-interrogation as well as counselling and pastoral care, which I deployed, depending on context, when I investigated cases of manslaughter or suicide, questioned prospective visa applicants, visited British citizens in prison or conducted marriage ceremonies. In addition I was responsible for the day-to-day running of busy consular and visa sections.

1993 – 1997: Library and Records Department, FCO, London

Responsibility for ensuring that documents held by the FCO were kept in accordance with regulations laid down by the Public Records Office at Kew.

1990 – 1993: Archivist and Deputy Management Officer, British High Commission, Maseru, Lesotho

My main duties included the regular en- and deciphering of classified telegrams. In addition I was responsible for ensuring that staff accommodation was maintained to a suitable standard. As a member of a small expatriate community I participated in a variety of events and was on the organising committee for the 400^th run celebrations of the Maseru Hash House Harriers, took part with a small speaking role in a production of Alan Bennett’s Habeas Corpus, and organised a formal Bridge tournament for eight couples.

1988 – 1990: Book-keeper, British High Commission, Kampala, Uganda

A demanding position in a period before the introduction of PCs where I used the Kalamazoo double-entry book-keeping system to keep track of all expenditure and receipts at the High Commission. My job was to ensure that the accounts were prepared for signature by the High Commissioner before they were sent to London for scrutiny. Once this was achieved I endeavoured to take local leave in order to explore up country, and during my time there managed to climb the Mountains of the Moon as well as the Virunga volcano in Zaire, in addition to many other safari adventures.

http://www.explorationsociety.org/drupal/sites/default/files/images/horizon%202008_1/rwenzo1.jpg

1984 - 1988: Clerical Officer, Transport Section, London

At the time the FCO ran a transport fleet of vehicles almost wholly of British provenance and it was my responsibility to source and despatch vehicle spare parts for the numerous Land Rovers, Daimlers and Rolls-Royces overseas that experienced the occasional difficulty.

Education and Qualifications

1979 – 1982 BA Honours English Literature and American Studies

The University of East Anglia was my first choice after reading an anthology of critical studies on the historical movement Modernism, edited by Malcolm Bradbury who taught there. Angela Carter was also on the faculty, giving the place a certain buzz.

Interests

Gardening: I have participated in Henfield’s annual Gardens and Art Festival in West Sussex on two occasions. At present I have responsibility for a balcony flower-box and note with approval progress being made by my ornamental grasses including the Juncus Corkscrew Rush.

History of Art: I am writing an article on seventeenth-century realist art for an online journal published by the Bowling Green State University, Ohio.

References

Available upon request