CONOR GARNER
London
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in political economy analysis, campaign and programme design, project management, and budget management. Demonstrates a strong ability to design and implement effective programmes while managing resources efficiently across various geographies including West Africa. Committed to leveraging skills in strategic planning and execution to drive impactful results in future roles.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior project manager (fixed term contract)
Zinc Network
London
2025.07 - Current
- Delivering projects in West Africa from research to interventions on the ground.
- Leading a team of 8 individuals within specific technical specialisms.
- Overseeing financial management of the project, including management of subcontracts and monthly ABB submissions.
Head of Programmes (Consultant)
Parliamentary Knowledge Foundation
London
2025.02 - 2026.02
- Designing knowledge experience schemes around key policy areas to support the professional development of UK Members of Parliament.
- Delivering visits across structured programmes, working with a wide range of sector implementors and experts.
- Liaised with stakeholders to build strong professional relationships across Parliament.
Programme Manager
TAG International
Riyadh
2024.06 - 2025.06
- Deployed programme management of a £7 million programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, delivering capacity building to line ministries on behalf of HMG.
- Simultaneously managing a programme in Nigeria, delivering key training in deficient areas of capacity in support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria's counter-insurgency operations in Borno State; identifying institutional vulnerabilities using SWOT analyses and integrated MEL frameworks.
- Monitored programme performance against key performance indicators KPIs, adjusting strategies to achieve desired results.
- Collaborated with cross-disciplinary teams to resolve complex problems, leveraging expertise to maintain programme progression.
Project Manager
Zinc Network
London/International
2022.05 - 2024.04
- Managed a multimillion-pound HMG project seeking to identify entry points in Africa for the Ukrainian Government and Civil Society, leveraging local CSOs, political consultants, and government officials to produce political economy and stakeholder analyses, resulting in a series of delegations to Kenya and South Africa to increase support in Africa for Ukraine, where I subsequently planned and managed delegations to these countries.
- Managed a conflict stabilisation project seeking to support a growing civil society movement in Northern Ghana; this entailed the application of political economy and conflict analysis methodologies to identify avenues for civil society cooperation in fostering peace initiatives.
- Managed a behavioural change project in Somalia with the aim of reducing female genital mutilation, countering illegal fishing, and reducing recruitment into piracy.
- Conducted micro-political economy analyses with a cohort of 30 Iraqi independent politicians to identify the key issues within their constituency; then designed their issue-based advocacy campaigns to garner support for their causes.
- Supported civil society and media actors in Ethiopia to support the Pretoria Agreement (CoHA) and maintain momentum with conflict resolution efforts within Oromia and Amhara.
Signals Intelligence Analyst
Royal Marines
2012.01 - 2021.01
- Carried out Signals Intelligence collection and analysis whilst deployed on UK Military operations in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
- Led teams of up to 8 personnel.
- Deployed on counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Gulf.
- Completed courses in Strategic Intelligence Analysis, Signals Intelligence, and Arabic Language.
Education
PEA in Action
The Policy Practice
MA National Security Studies -
King's College London
LondonBA Intelligence and International relations -
Staffordshire University
Distance StudySkills
- Political Economy Analysis
- Campaign and Programme Design
- Project Management
- Budget Management
Languages
Arabic
Advanced
Certification
- Political Economy Analysis in Action
Timeline
Senior project manager (fixed term contract)
Zinc Network
2025.07 - Current
Head of Programmes (Consultant)
Parliamentary Knowledge Foundation
2025.02 - 2026.02
Programme Manager
TAG International
2024.06 - 2025.06
Project Manager
Zinc Network
2022.05 - 2024.04
Signals Intelligence Analyst
Royal Marines
2012.01 - 2021.01
MA National Security Studies -
King's College London
BA Intelligence and International relations -
Staffordshire University
PEA in Action
The Policy Practice