About ME

Independent consultant with over 40 years’ experience in civil protection, international disaster response coordination, humanitarian affairs, field security, and development cooperation.

Curriculum Vitae for Michael Elmquist

Professional career:

Lecturer, Independent consultant
(2019 – )
Lecturing on “Political Aspects of International Disaster Response Operations” at the EU funded Courses on Negotiation and Decision-making (CND)

Key Expert Civil Protection, PPRD East 2
(2014 – 2019)
As one of three key experts, responsible for the civil protection activity area within the EU funded second Programme on Prevention, Preparedness and Response to natural and man-made Disasters in the Eastern neighborhood area (PPRD East 2). Organised and conducted eight training courses at three different levels, conducted seven table-top exercises and one full-scale field exercise with over 800 participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Senior Advisor, Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)
(2005-2008; 2011-2014)
Responsible for programme funded by the Danish Ministry of Defence for the strengthening of civil protection capacities in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. Course Director for EU funded civil protection courses for east European countries, as well as EU and Danish national courses on field security.

Head of Office, Joint Donor Team, Juba, South Sudan
(2008-2011 )
Heading a team of 15 local (Sudanese/South Sudanese) staff and 10 experts from Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, established as a joint representative office negotiating development cooperation with the Government of South Sudan.

Chief, UN OCHA, Indonesia
(2000-2005)
Heading a team of 30 (Indonesian and foreign staff) in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Coordinating programmes to assist the 1.3 million internally displaced persons in Maluku, North Maluku, Central Sulawesi, West Timor, and Aceh. Led the initial establishment of coordination of disaster assistance following the 2004 tsunami in Aceh.

Chief, Military and Civil Defence Unit, UN OCHA, Geneva
(1996-2000)
Establishing a focal point in the UN system for the use of military and civil defence (civil protection) resources in support of international disaster relief operations.

Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer, UN OCHA, Geneva
(1994-1996)
Responsible for monitoring and coordinating response to natural disasters in Europe. Serving as team leader on several United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) emergency missions.

Director, Civil Emergency Planning, NATO, Brussels
(1987-1994)
Supervising the 17 staff members of the NATO Civil Emergency Planning Directorate, chairing the monthly meetings of NATO’s Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee, initiating the development of cooperation between NATO and former Warsaw Treaty member countries in the field of disaster assistance.

Head of Emergency Planning Division, Danish Emergency Management Agency
(1984-1987)
Responsible for supervision of “continuity of Government” arrangements and introduction of civil emergency planning at the municipal level.

Staff Officer, NATO Civil Emergency Planning Directorate, Brussels
(1978-1984)

Staff Officer, Danish Civil Defence Administration
(1976-1978)