Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 36 years of experience, the expert excels in strategic direction, project and grant cycle management, and capacity building. Key skills include fundraising, technical assistance, and environmental management. Career highlights include leading international initiatives such as a €3M EU Forest Conservation project in Sierra Leone and a $5M Norad project in Liberia and Myanmar. Leadership roles have encompassed managing large-scale projects and developing sustainable financing models. Proficiency in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement has resulted in securing significant funding from major international donors.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors such as EU/ECHO, DFID, USAID, UNHCR, and CIDA, engaging in project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building. Thematic areas include governance, education, and environmental conservation. Projects have been regional and national in scope, with work conducted in locations such as Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Turkey. Responsibilities have included managing significant projects, emphasizing sustainable development and climate solutions.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse projects involving sectors such as rural development, civil society, NGOs, energy, environment, food security, and social development. Roles have encompassed strategic direction, project management, and grant cycle oversight. With interdisciplinary expertise in climate solutions, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic integration, the expert has undertaken regional and country-specific projects across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Responsibilities have included capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and leadership in initiatives like sustainable financing and nature-based solutions. Extensive geographic experience includes work in the UK, South-East Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Central Asia, and Africa, with notable assignments in Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia, Turkey, Georgia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria. This experience includes significant roles in both national and transboundary initiatives, focusing on sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic integration.

Languages and education

With a background in language proficiency, the expert is a native English speaker and fluent in French and Serbo-Croatian, with advanced proficiency in German. These language skills have been utilized in diverse contexts, including international project management, multilingual team leadership, and in-country work across Europe, Africa, and Asia. The expert's linguistic competence has supported effective communication and collaboration in various international development and conservation initiatives. The educational background includes an MSc in Environmental Management with Distinction from the University of Derby, England, focusing on biodiversity and sustainable development. Additionally, a BA Hons in Social Sciences & French was obtained from Metropolitan University, London. The expert also completed an RSA Certificate in Counselling Skills at North Warwickshire College, England, emphasizing a humanistic approach, particularly for refugees and related professionals.