Pathfinder Advisory

Adel Jrad

📍 Rades, Tunisia | 📞 (+216) 92 337 479 | ✉️ adeljradd@yahoo.fr

Profile

Senior maritime consultant with more than 20 years of operational and strategic service in the Tunisian Navy, specializing in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Search and Rescue (SAR), coastal surveillance, and international coordination.

Since 2025, I have been working directly with the European Union as a Senior Expert Consultant for ICMPD, supporting EU-funded programs on border governance, maritime safety, and MDA enhancement in Tunisia. I also serve as the Representative of FAIMM and Training Coordinator for the EU-funded project in Mauritania focused on maritime border surveillance and SAR capacity building.

Former Head of the National Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and national EU technical focal point, I led the development of Tunisia’s modern SAR system, drafted the National SAR Plan, and established unified inter-agency communication and data-fusion frameworks.

As a certified maritime trainer, I deliver advanced SAR and MDA courses at MARSATI in Lebanon and specialized operational training to Libyan Navy Special Forces. My work integrates strategic planning, operational leadership, and modern maritime surveillance technologies to enhance safety, readiness, and international cooperation across the maritime domain.

Key Expertise

  • Maritime Security & Maritime Domain Awareness
  • Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations
  • Coastal Surveillance & Operational Coordination
  • Crisis Management & Emergency Response
  • International Cooperation (EU, UN, Africa)
  • Maritime Training & Capacity Building
  • Border Governance & Migration Policy Support
  • Strategic Planning & Decision-Making

Professional Experience

Training Coordinator – FAIMM (Fondazione Italiana Marina Mercantile)
01/08/2025 – Present | Genova, Italy
Representative and Training Coordinator for the EU-funded project in Mauritania: “Surveillance des frontières maritimes, recherche et sauvetage.”

Expert Consultant – ICMPD (International Centre for Migration Policy Development)
05/05/2025 – Present | Tunis, Tunisia
Expert consultant for the Border Management Programme for the Maghreb Region, supporting maritime safety, border governance, and MDA enhancement.

Head of Maritime Surveillance Stations Brigade
Ministry of National Defense, Tunisia | 2023 – 2025

  • Oversight of national maritime surveillance operations.
  • Leadership of regional station brigades ensuring 24/7 coastal security.

Head, National Main Search & Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC)
Ministry of National Defense, Tunisia | 2022 – 2023

  • Directed Tunisia’s main SAR operations and emergency interventions.
  • National focal point with the European Union for SAR system implementation.
  • Coordinated interagency crisis response at sea.

Second-in-Command, Third Maritime Region (Libya Border)
Ministry of National Defense | 2021 – 2022

  • Commanded naval forces in a sensitive region bordering Libya.
  • Managed operational deployments, crisis management, and border patrols.

Head of Operations & Fusion Center – National Coastal Surveillance Service: Ministry of National Defense | 2019 – 2020

  • Directed coastal surveillance operations integrating data from multiple agencies.
  • Strengthened Tunisia’s maritime situational awareness system.

Military Assistant to UN Force Commander – UNOCI, Ivory Coast
United Nations Mission | 2015 – 2016

  • Senior military liaison officer coordinating with 40+ troop-contributing countries.
  • Supported operational planning, intelligence sharing, and strategic briefings.

Earlier Roles (2000 – 2015)

  • Commander of Naval Units at sea (patrol ships, SAR operations).
  • Operations Officer, Maritime Surveillance Brigade.
  • Head of Naval School Technical Brigades (Training & Instruction).
  • Active participation in Mediterranean maritime security operations against trafficking and illegal migration.

National Committees & Appointments

  • Head of the technical team for the EU–Tunisia Search and Rescue (SAR) system implementation (2023)
  • Member of the expert commission for the grounding of tanker XELO (2022)
  • Second in command of the Presidential Committee on Pollution in the Gulf of Gabes
  • Member of the National COVID-19 Response Committee (2020)
  • Member of the Joint Doctrine Development Working Group (2020)
  • Participant in the Combined Joint European Exercise, Hamburg
  • Member of the Command & Control System Development Commission – Tunisian Navy
  • Member of the Fishing Regulation Advisory Committee
  • Member of the National Committee for Disaster Prevention & Intervention
  • Member of the Emergency Medicine Congress Committee (5+5 Initiative)
  • Member of the National Committee for Search and Rescue & Aircraft Distress Assistance
  • Participant in the Italo-Maltese Naval Exercise “Canali 13” (Valletta, Malta)
  • Participant in the French–Tunisian Naval Exercise “Pangolin 09” (Toulon)

Education & Training

  • Strategic Leaders International Course – NAVSCIATTS, USA (2024)
  • Master’s in International Strategic Military Studies – Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy (2020–2021)
  • War College Diploma – War College, Tunis (2018–2019)
  • Staff College Diploma – Staff College, Tunis (2010–2011)
  • Electromagnetic Propagation Specialization – Tunisian Naval Academy (2000–2001)
  • Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) – Tunisian Naval Academy (1995–1996)
  • Deck Officer Diploma – Tunisian Naval Academy (1991–1995)

Conferences and Seminars

  • Tactical care for flight casualties (USA, 1996)
  • International Humanitarian Law & Counter-Terrorism Operations
  • Customs Offences – National Customs School
  • Media & Communication – Military Information Service
  • IMO Workshop – Emergency Maritime Security Plans
  • Tactical Intelligence Support to Maritime Operations Centers
  • Crisis Management & Decision Making
  • Treatment of Corpses & Human Remains in Disaster Situations
  • Training on board USS Carter Hall (US Navy)

International Engagements

  • UN Peacekeeping (UNOCI, Ivory Coast) – Senior Military Assistant to Force Commander.
  • EU –Tunisia Partnership – Advisor & Coordinator for SAR and border security systems.
  • UNMISS South Sudan – Member of UN coordination committee for deployment planning.
  • Participation in multinational naval exercises, Mediterranean anti-trafficking patrols, and cross-border SAR operations.

Languages

  • Arabic (Native)
  • French (Fluent)
  • English (Fluent)
  • Italian (Fluent)

Core Values

Integrity – Acting with responsibility and transparency.
Collaboration – Building bridges across nations, cultures, and institutions.
Preparedness – Ensuring teams are trained, equipped, and ready.
Impact – Delivering solutions that protect lives and strengthen international trust.