Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler has wide international experience in diplomacy, intelligence and security. He joined the ISIL (Da’esh), al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Monitoring Team at the beginning of 2013 and was appointed Coordinator in July 2015.
Hans leads and coordinates the global work of the Monitoring Team for both the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida as well as the 1988 Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council. He manages and shapes the reporting concerning the development of the global terrorism threat to the members of the Security Council and regular updates on the status of the European nationals and entities on the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
For the 1988 sanctions regime he oversees the work of the Team concerning the situation in Afghanistan and the wider region. He regularly briefs the members of the Council on the status of the individuals and entities on the 1988 Sanctions List (Afghan insurgency). In addition, he is responsible for the development of recommendations for both Sanctions Committees on the effective and efficient implementation of the global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo levied against sanctioned individuals and entities.
As part of his duties Hans significantly expanded the cooperation of the Team with international organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Police Organization (INTERPOL), national governments, security and intelligence agencies, as well as military forces. He also pioneered the Team’s engagement and regular work with a wide range of private sector stakeholders on counter terrorism finance issues and effective sanctions implementation.
Prior to his appointment, Hans worked as an associated partner for West Sands and an associated consultant for Stirling Assynt in in the United Kingdom as well as advisor to several companies in Europe. He pioneered the development of a range of new consultant products focusing on security, political and economic issues concerning the Central Asia, the Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa. In addition, he served as Program Director for the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) in London, leading and increasing the Institute’s work in its foreign policy-centered program area.
Between 2005 and 2011 Hans held the position of First Secretary Political Affairs and Liaison to the Security Forces at the German Embassy in Tehran. Acting as special advisor to the ambassador, he led the crisis management team of the embassy during the 2006 and 2009/10 disturbances in Iran.
From 2001 until 2005 Hans headed the federal government of Germany’s team investigating al-Qaida in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia. He introduced scenario based reporting to top-level government officials and shaped the analytical work on the federal government in the area of counter terrorism.
Having studies in Tübingen, Germany, Georgetown, Washington, D.C. and Tel Aviv, Israel,
Hans holds a Masters and PhD degree in International Terrorism from St. Andrews
University, United Kingdom.