Key skills and expertise

With over 37 years of experience, the expert possesses extensive qualifications in public administration, capacity development, and donor coordination. Proficient in EU Instruments such as ENPI and IPA, the expert has successfully led multi-sector project development and evaluations for the EU and other donors. Career highlights include designing strategic plans, optimizing donor program alignment, and enhancing civil service capacities. Previously held roles such as Team Leader and Donor Coordination Expert have involved working on regional and national initiatives across Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, significantly contributing to governance, economic development, and institutional capacity building.

Project experience and donor exposure

Bringing extensive experience, the expert has collaborated with international donors including the European Commission, USAID, World Bank, and the Canadian International Development Agency. Responsibilities have included project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building in governance, economic development, and regional cooperation. The expert has worked on regional and national projects across Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, including Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Croatia. Expertise includes developing strategic plans, donor coordination, and optimizing EU financial assistance.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse sectors including micro-finance, administration, monitoring and evaluation, institutional development, SME and private sector, program and resource management, and agriculture. Responsibilities have included roles such as team leader, program evaluator, and donor coordination adviser, focusing on strategic planning, capacity building, and project implementation. The expert's work spans regional and national scopes, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. With cross-cutting expertise in governance and economic development, the expert has contributed to interdisciplinary initiatives such as infrastructure in rural development and digitalization in public administration. Extensive geographic experience includes significant involvement in Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Croatia, with deep familiarity with local governance and regional development issues.

Languages and education

With a background in languages, the expert is a native English speaker and possesses intermediate proficiency in Russian and French. These language skills have been utilized in diverse international settings, including in-country work across Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, and collaboration with multilingual teams in various EU-funded projects and donor coordination assignments. The expert holds a Master of Business Administration from McGill University, Canada, and participated in an MBA Exchange Program at Lahore University of Management Science, Pakistan, focusing on developing markets and export promotion. Additionally, the expert earned a Graduate Diploma in International Development Studies and a BA in Asian Studies from St. Mary’s University, Canada, and a Bachelor of Science from St. Francis Xavier University, Canada.