Key skills and expertise.

With 37 years of experience, the expert is distinguished in peacebuilding, conflict sensitivity, and governance. Career highlights include leading international initiatives for USAID and UNICEF, where they achieved significant advancements in education policy and peacebuilding strategies. Notable accomplishments include authoring the USAID Rapid Education and Risk Analysis Toolkit, which influenced $750M in funding, and leading a $150M global education program. Previously held roles such as Managing Director at Exterion LLC and Global Chief at UNICEF underscore their proficiency in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational leadership.

Project experience and donor exposure.

Bringing extensive experience with international donors, the expert has collaborated with organizations such as USAID and the UN Peacebuilding Fund. Responsibilities have included project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in areas like governance, education, and peacebuilding. The development of the USAID Rapid Education and Risk Analysis Toolkit and a 35-fold increase in funding allocations from the UN Peacebuilding Fund are testament to their impact. This work spans geographic locations including El Salvador, Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and South Sudan, covering both national and regional scopes.

Sectors and geographic focus.

With a background in diverse sectors, the expert has worked in education, humanitarian aid, conflict resolution, democratization, and institutional development. Previously held roles such as Managing Director at Exterion LLC and Global Chief at UNICEF involved strategic planning, policy development, and program management. They possess interdisciplinary knowledge in areas like the humanitarian-development nexus and education in crisis contexts. Their geographic experience is extensive, covering regions such as the Balkans, Latin America, and the Middle East, with work in countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Colombia, Iraq, and Bangladesh.

Languages and education.

Fluent in Bosnian, Croatian, English, French, Serbian, and Spanish, the expert has effectively engaged in multilingual teams, facilitating communication and collaboration in international development and crisis management projects across the Balkans, Latin America, and the Middle East. Their educational background includes a Master of Arts in International Political Economy from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, where they are also a candidate for a Master of Arts in National Security Studies. Additional qualifications include certificates in Mediation and Conflict Management from Harvard Law School and Management Essentials from Harvard Business School Online.