Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 26 years of experience in agriculture and rural development, the expert is proficient in strategic planning, project management, and leadership. They have led significant international projects, including EU pre-accession programs, fostering collaboration with multiple stakeholders across Europe and neighboring regions. Career highlights include facilitating the alignment of EU legislation and managing teams in technical assistance initiatives. As a Team Leader at the European Commission, the expert has achieved successful outcomes through capacity building and stakeholder engagement, showcasing strong analytical and organizational skills.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving international donors, such as the World Bank and the European Commission, focusing on international development cooperation. Responsibilities have included project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, particularly in agriculture and rural development. Key thematic areas encompass agriculture, rural development, and food safety. The scope of work has been regional, covering countries like Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and others within the EU pre-accession context.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in agriculture, rural development, food safety, veterinary, and fisheries sectors, the expert has held leadership roles, including Team Leader at the European Commission. Responsibilities have encompassed policy development, project implementation, and international cooperation. The expert's cross-cutting expertise includes strategic planning and stakeholder collaboration. The geographic scope of work spans Europe and neighboring regions, focusing on aligning local practices with EU standards and facilitating regional development initiatives. Extensive geographic experience includes Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and several North African and Eastern European countries, with deep engagement in local governance and regional development issues.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is fluent in English and French, both UN official languages, utilized in leading multilingual teams and international collaborations. Additional language skills include Croatian, Serbian, Montenegrin, and Bosnian, enhancing effectiveness in diverse environments. The expert's educational background includes a degree in Agricultural Engineering with a specialization in agro-economics from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, completed in 1999.