- Name: Alan Kessel
- Current location: United Kingdom
- Home town: Canada (Ottawa?)
- Education: Bachelor of Arts in English & Political Science, Law Degree from Osgoode
- Current position: Deputy High Commissioner
- Organization description: The High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom in London is the diplomatic mission of Canada to the United Kingdom.
- Bio: Alan Kessel is currently the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom at the Canadian High Commission in London. Prior to this appointment in September 2013 Mr. Kessel served as The Legal Adviser at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development from 2005-2013 following a year as the Deputy Legal Adviser and Director General of the Bureau of Legal Affairs from September 2004 to November 2005. Mr. Kessel has held numerous positions in the Legal Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development including that of the United Nations, Criminal and Treaty Law Division. He has spent a large part of his career negotiating bilateral and multilateral instruments ranging from extradition treaties to the establishment of international criminal justice systems to prosecute perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. As Head of the Delegation, Mr. Kessel has promoted Canadian interests before United Nations bodies and has represented government views at Parliamentary and Senate Committees. His postings abroad have included the Canadian Embassy in Sweden (1985-1987), the Canadian Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (1990-1994), and the Canadian High Commission in London (2000-2004). Mr. Kessel received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo in 1976 and his law degree in 1979 from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1981. After several years in private practice in corporate and commercial law in Toronto, he joined the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1983.
- Countries I've worked in: Sweden, United Kingdom, Switzerland
- Country: UK
- Region: Europe
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Who are you and what do you do?
It's been a long road for Alan. Learn more about how the history of the last three decades--from the Chornobyl crisis to 9/11--has affected his career.
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How do you get involved in foreign service?
The Government of Canada has an open door for those interested. Alan's top tip for getting your foot in the door is all about timing.
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What's the different between the public sector and private sector?
The difference between private and public sector employment is bigger than just the type of car you drive. Alan explains.
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What skills or education should applicants have?
Here are the top types of trained individuals the foreign service of Canada is looking for.
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What's a day-in-the-life like at the Canadian High Commission in London?
Working at an embassy isn't just about dealing with passport questions. There are 260 people at the High Commission in Canada and Alan is just one of them. Here's what they do.
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What do you enjoy most about working internationally?Alan loves that he can wave his geek flag, high and proud.Tags: foreign policy
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What kinds of challenges have you encountered?Working internationally, you're not going to be in control all the time. Alan's advice for managing challenges abroad.
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What do you do to continue your own education?Every day in foreign service is like an exam. Except there's more weight on passing or failing.
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What's family life like for those in foreign service?Life in foreign service has changed substantially over the last 20 years. Alan explains how.Tags: teacher telecommuting
