Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 33 years of experience in community development and NGOs, the expert specializes in monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and social development. Career highlights include leading national and international projects, designing and coordinating initiatives with organizations such as De Rode Antraciet and Jacques Maritain Institute. Responsibilities have included delivering training and consulting services in organizational development and project management. Notable achievements encompass opening a country office for an NGO and facilitating the establishment of key social councils. Expertise extends to mediation, conflict resolution, and partnership building.

Project experience and donor exposure

With a background in international development cooperation, the expert has collaborated with donors like Catholic Relief Services, CARE International, Academy of Educational Development, Mercy Corps Scotland, United States Institute of Peace, and the International Red Cross Committee. Involvement includes conducting external evaluations and providing technical assistance in projects focused on social development, capacity building, and community mobilization. These initiatives were primarily national, particularly in Croatia, and involved sectors such as governance and social services.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse sectors including community development, education, social development, youth and child welfare, and agriculture and rural development. Previously held roles such as M&E expert, senior advisor, consultant, and adjunct lecturer. Responsibilities have included project management, capacity building, and designing training programs. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise spans social inclusion, organizational development, and mediation. While primarily focused on Croatia, the expert has been involved in regional and international initiatives, including projects in Belgium, Italy, Hungary, and field research in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Languages and education

With a background in language proficiency, the expert is fluent in English, having completed a postgraduate program at Tufts University. Basic proficiency in French is evidenced by completing a seminar at the University of Zagreb. These language skills have been utilized in international projects and multilingual team environments, enhancing the capacity to engage in diverse international settings. The expert is a PhD candidate in Social Work at the Study Center for Social Work, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Croatia. Educational background includes a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA, with concentrations in International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and Comparative Political Developmental Analysis. Additionally, the expert obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theoretical and Applied Phonetics and Italian Language and Literature from the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, University of Zagreb, Croatia.