Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Driving Licences
Other Expertise
References
Hobbies and Interests
Instructor Training
Professional Background
Timeline
Generic

Gerard O’Brien

Athgarvin

Summary

Information Communication Manager with extensive experience in Crisis Risk Management, specializing in ICT strategy development and team leadership. Proven expertise in data security management and communication, resulting in successful project outcomes. Recognized for process optimization and operational efficiency improvements in high-pressure settings.

Overview

40
40
years of professional experience

Work History

Information Communication Manager

Crisis Risk Management
01.2010 - 01.2025
  • Key responsibilities involve developing ICT strategies aligned with business goals, managing IT staff and budgets, ensuring data security and system performance, overseeing project implementation, and acting as a point of contact for vendors and other departments.
  • The role requires strong technical knowledge, leadership skills, and the ability to translate business needs into effective technological solutions.

Information Technology Instructor, Military College

Department of Defence
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Organisational level Instructor/Teacher/Accredited Tester in ECDL / Advanced ECDL (European Computer Driver Licence).
  • Instructor/Teacher of Oracle based software, creating Oracle user training database.
  • Instructor/Teacher in Computer based Hardware / Software.
  • Instructor/Teacher in the Organisational Inventory Management System (logistical inventory system).
  • Instructor/Teacher in the Organisational Personal Management System (HR Personnel Management Tool).

Overseas Service work experience

Department of Defence
01.2010 - 01.2015
  • Customs clearance
  • Transport Manager
  • Finance Controller
  • Procurement
  • Finance and Travel
  • Warehouse management Inventory controller.
  • Security and Operations manager, planning route transport requirement, safety briefing for convoys.

Army Special Forces

Department of Defence
01.1985 - 01.1998
  • A former Member of the Army Ranger Wing, (ARW)
  • With many years’ experience in security operations both in Ireland and international service which include
  • Hostage negotiation, Anti-Terrorist training, Building’s and Plane Rescue Training, Navigation Skills, Security Briefing, Weapons Instructor, Route briefings, lethal and non-lethal rescue training, Firearms training. Escape and Evasion Techniques, Sniper, explosive, Tactical diving and parachuting training.
  • Special Operations and Counter-terrorism, and VIP Security.

Logistics Specialist and Organisational Instructor

Department of Defence
01.1998
  • Responsible for the procurement of Defence Forces assets in line with Irish and European Procurement Regulations;
  • Warehouse and Staff Management in a multinational environment.
  • Organisational Budget Management and review both in Ireland and overseas.
  • Customs processing and clearance for overseas units.

Education

Masters Science -

Information Technology Management
01.2018

IP Networking and Design -

IT Carlow
01.2016

Business and Supply Chain Management -

Carlow
01.2015

Science and Social Studies -

IFAE
01.2005

Higher Diploma -

Computers Studies Institute of Public Administration (IPA)
Dublin
01.2004

Diploma - National University of Ireland (NUI)

Computers
01.2004

Information Technology Teaching Diploma -

JEB
01.2004

Leaving Certificate -

01.2000

Skills

  • Supplies Management
  • Warehousing Management
  • Stock Management
  • Oracle database
  • Transport Management
  • Movement
  • Control Planning
  • H & S
  • Personnel Management
  • Fund Management
  • Reporting
  • MS Office
  • Project Management
  • Information Technology Management
  • Purchaser
  • Audits of internal accounts
  • Overseeing large military and civilian staff
  • Supplier relations
  • Goods In /Out Departments
  • Stock control
  • Security Management and Operations
  • ICT strategy development
  • Data security management
  • Budget management
  • Vendor relations
  • Team leadership
  • Employee training
  • Process optimization
  • Change management
  • Inventory control
  • Effective communication
  • Problem solving

Driving Licences

  • B (B)
  • C (C1, C)
  • D (D1, D)
  • E+ (B, C1, D1)

Other Expertise

  • Supplies Management
  • Warehousing Management
  • Stock Management
  • Oracle database
  • Transport Management
  • Movement
  • Control Planning
  • H & S
  • Personnel Management
  • Fund Management
  • Reporting
  • MS Office
  • Project Management
  • Information Technology Management
  • Purchaser, supervision and monitoring (Oracle database)
  • Audits of internal accounts
  • Overseeing large military and civilian staff
  • Supplier relations
  • Goods In /Out Departments
  • Stock control using Oracle database i.e. Stocktaking, stock rotation, stock values etc.
  • Security Management and Operations

References

Reference supplied on Request.

Hobbies and Interests

  • I am an avid reader and love exposure to new areas and theories.
  • I have always felt comfortable in overseas environments and have a passion for new cultures and meeting people.
  • I enjoy distance running as an outlet and stress management technique.
  • I am the webmaster for Childaid.ie also involved in fund raising for the charity.

Instructor Training

  • Information & Administration
  • Audio Transcription
  • Office Administration
  • Text Production / Word processing
  • CPD
  • Language and culture awareness, NATO, Norway, 2010
  • Certified internet Webmaster, IPA, Dublin, 2004
  • A+ Certified Professional Comp TIA, 2003
  • Microsoft Certified Professional PC Technician, 2003
  • ECDL accredited Tester, 2002
  • ECDL, Irish Computer Society, Dublin Ireland, 2001
  • Confidence Training Instructor
  • Certificate in Security Studies

Professional Background

I am a highly organised, hardworking and adaptable Manager with over 30 years’ experience working in challenging operating environments all over the world including in the Balkans, Middle East, and Africa. I am adaptive and comfortable in difficult or conflict environments and enjoy meeting goals in challenging situations, in which I have a proven record of accomplishment., I am a natural project/programme leader., I have proven experience in managing extremely complex tasks in challenging environments., I am a team player and have always worked well within both small/specialist teams and larger operational groups., I am a good communicator who can quickly determine requirements and convey the message to co-workers and staff., I have good analytical and research skills, I have the ability to assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, propose and decide on a suitable course of action.

Timeline

Information Technology Instructor, Military College

Department of Defence
01.2013 - 01.2015

Information Communication Manager

Crisis Risk Management
01.2010 - 01.2025

Overseas Service work experience

Department of Defence
01.2010 - 01.2015

Logistics Specialist and Organisational Instructor

Department of Defence
01.1998

Army Special Forces

Department of Defence
01.1985 - 01.1998

Masters Science -

Information Technology Management

IP Networking and Design -

IT Carlow

Business and Supply Chain Management -

Carlow

Science and Social Studies -

IFAE

Higher Diploma -

Computers Studies Institute of Public Administration (IPA)

Diploma - National University of Ireland (NUI)

Computers

Information Technology Teaching Diploma -

JEB

Leaving Certificate -

Gerard O’Brien