Key skills and expertise

With over 26 years of professional experience, the expert specializes in education and vocational education and training (VET) system reform. Career highlights include leading numerous international projects, particularly those funded by the EU, focusing on capacity building, quality assurance, and curriculum development. The expert has been instrumental in developing national qualifications frameworks and engaging in public-private partnerships to enhance skills pathways. Notable accomplishments include managing large-scale projects and establishing Sectoral Centres of Excellence in Türkiye. Responsibilities have included overseeing teams and substantial budgets, demonstrating strong leadership skills, and proficiency in digital tools and research methodologies.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has worked across diverse projects involving international donors such as the European Union, World Bank, JICA, GIZ, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent. Their involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building, primarily in the education sector. These projects have been national and sector-specific, focusing on VET system reform and quality assurance. This work has been conducted in Türkiye and Tajikistan, contributing to significant educational reforms and development cooperation initiatives.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across multiple sectors, including education, labor market and employment, monitoring and evaluation, training, SME and private sector, human resources, and program and resource management. Previously held roles such as team leader, training expert, and consultant, with responsibilities in project implementation, capacity building, and strategic leadership. Their interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating digital tools into educational frameworks and fostering public-private partnerships. The expert's work has been primarily country-specific to Türkiye, with additional experience in regional projects across Europe and Central Asia. Extensive geographic experience in Türkiye has provided deep familiarity with local governance, cultural dynamics, and regional development issues, particularly in vocational education and training reform. Experience also includes work in the USA, Tajikistan, Germany, and Italy, contributing to international development projects.

Languages and education

Bringing a strong linguistic capability, the expert is a native speaker of Turkish and fluent in English, with proficiency at the C2 level in reading, speaking, and writing. They have a working knowledge of German at B2 for reading and B1 for speaking and writing, and basic proficiency in Arabic. These language skills have been utilized in international projects across various countries, facilitating communication in multilingual teams and enhancing collaboration in diverse professional environments. With a background in education, the expert holds a Master of Science in Elementary Education and a Waldorf Elementary Teaching Certificate from Sunbridge College in the USA. Additionally, they obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Middle East Technical University in Türkiye. These qualifications reflect a strong foundation in both education and economics, enabling effective contributions to educational and vocational training initiatives.