Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 32 years of experience, the expert has a proven record in rural development, monitoring and evaluation, SME and private sector development, and institutional capacity building. Career highlights include leading projects in transition economies with a 100% completion rate. The expert's technical skills encompass designing and embedding monitoring and evaluation systems, delivering technical assistance, and capacity building. Responsibilities have included managing multi-million Euro EU Structural Funds and developing national strategies, operational plans, and bespoke financial instruments. Leadership roles have included team leader and senior consultant on international initiatives.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with prominent international donors such as the European Union, World Bank, and DfID. Worked across diverse projects involving project implementation, technical assistance, capacity building, and evaluations. Thematic areas span governance, private sector development, SME support, and institutional capacity building. Projects have been regional and national in scope, conducted in locations including Azerbaijan, Serbia, Moldova, Croatia, and China. The expert's work has facilitated the development of national strategies, operational plans, and monitoring and evaluation systems, enhancing the effectiveness of donor-funded initiatives.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in key sectors such as rural development, food processing and safety, SME and private sector development, and institutional capacity building, the expert has held roles such as team leader, senior consultant, and business development expert. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating financial instruments in private sector development and enhancing governance through policy formulation. The geographic scope of work spans multiple countries, focusing on transition economies, and involves designing and implementing strategies, operational plans, and monitoring systems to foster economic growth and development. The expert has extensive geographic experience in regions including Azerbaijan, China, Serbia, Moldova, Croatia, and the UK, among others. Previously held roles have demonstrated deep familiarity with local governance and regional development issues through long-term assignments and recurring involvement in these areas, collaborating with government ministries, international organizations, and private sector entities to address diverse challenges and contribute to regional development and capacity building.

Languages and education

The expert is a native English speaker, utilizing this language extensively in professional contexts, including in-country work across various international locations and collaboration with multilingual teams. The educational background includes a Master's Degree in Government and Public Policy and a Diploma in Food Science and Business with a major in Dairy Science, both obtained from the National University of Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland.