Key skills and expertise.

Bringing over 30 years of experience in public finance, control, and audit, the expert has more than 14 years in public financial management and internal control within EU-funded projects. Skilled in auditing public institutions, developing financial reforms, and restructuring internal audit units, the expert has effectively led teams and managed projects, enhancing financial management practices and internal controls. Career highlights include creating effective networks with stakeholders, providing technical assistance, and implementing strategic initiatives in countries such as Croatia, North Macedonia, Albania, and Zambia while holding leadership roles such as Head of Service for Audit.

Project experience and donor exposure.

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors like the European Union through initiatives such as the EU-funded Twinning Project and the CARDS Program. Responsibilities have included project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in public finance management, auditing, and internal controls. The expert has contributed to governance and public financial management projects across regions including Croatia, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, and Zambia, focusing on enhancing the effectiveness of public internal financial control systems.

Sectors and geographic focus.

Previously held roles such as Head of Service for Audit and Internal Auditor, the expert has worked extensively in the public finance, control, and audit sectors. Responsibilities have included auditing public institutions, managing EU-funded projects, and implementing financial reforms. With cross-cutting expertise in public financial management, internal controls, and compliance with international standards, the expert's work spans multiple countries, including Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Zambia, with a focus on regional development and governance in the Western Balkans and beyond. Extensive geographic experience includes working in Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Turkey, and Zambia. The expert has deep familiarity with local governance and regional development issues, particularly in EU candidate countries, with long-term assignments in Croatia and recurring involvement in the Western Balkans providing significant insights into public financial management and internal control systems in these regions.

Languages and education.

With a background in languages, the expert is a native speaker of Croatian and possesses fluency in English, Macedonian, Serbian, Montenegrin, Bosnian, and Ukrainian. These language skills have been utilized in various professional contexts, including international projects and collaborations with multilingual teams across countries such as Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania. This linguistic proficiency facilitates effective communication and collaboration in diverse international settings. The expert holds a Master's degree in Economics and a Master's Specialist Degree in Economics with a focus on Audit from the University of Zagreb, Croatia. Additionally, the expert has been certified as a State Auditor by the State Audit Office of the Republic of Croatia and as a Certified Internal Auditor through the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia and the CARDS 2004 project.