Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 33 years of experience in international development, the expert specializes in child protection, safeguarding, and child rights advocacy. With advanced technical expertise, the expert manages complex multi-year, multi-million USD projects, fosters strategic partnerships, and leads initiatives to eliminate child marriage. Previously held roles include Regional Head of Child Protection and Partnerships, where responsibilities included providing strategic guidance and technical support across Asia-Pacific. Career highlights include successfully raising funds, developing innovative methodologies, and earning recognition such as Plan International's Global Award "Individual of the Year" for impactful contributions to child protection and advocacy.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international development organizations such as Plan International and Save the Children. Engagements include project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building, focusing on child protection, safeguarding, and child rights advocacy. Managed regional programs across Asia-Pacific and Southeast Europe, handling multi-million USD projects aimed at strengthening civil society capacities and increasing accountability for child protection. This work has spanned countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Serbia, contributing to initiatives that address child, early, and forced marriage and enhance children's participation in their own protection.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in civil society, NGOs, gender, social development, youth, human rights, and program and resource management, the expert has held roles such as Regional Head of Child Protection and Partnerships. Responsibilities have included providing strategic guidance and technical support, with interdisciplinary expertise spanning child protection, safeguarding, and advocacy, focusing on preventing child marriage. The expert has managed complex regional programs across Asia-Pacific, integrating innovative methodologies and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance program effectiveness and advocacy efforts in diverse cultural and governance contexts. The geographic experience extends across Asia-Pacific and Europe, with work in countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kosovo, Laos, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Serbia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. The expert possesses deep familiarity with regional development issues, particularly in child protection and safeguarding, consistently engaging in long-term assignments and strategic initiatives within these regions, contributing to significant advancements in child rights advocacy and program management.

Languages and education

With a background in Oriental Studies, the expert holds a B.A. degree from the University of Belgrade, Serbia, providing a foundation in cultural and regional studies that supports a career in international development and child rights advocacy. Language competences include fluency in English and Serbian, with fair proficiency in German, Italian, and Slovenian, and basic knowledge of French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Greek. These skills have been utilized in international development contexts, working with multilingual teams across various countries in Asia-Pacific and Europe. Linguistic capabilities have supported roles involving translation and interpretation, enhancing communication in diverse cultural and professional environments.