Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 26 years of experience in security sector reform, conflict resolution, and human rights, the expert has demonstrated strong leadership and technical skills. Responsibilities have included managing international teams, designing capacity-building programs, and providing technical assistance within EU and NATO initiatives. With over 12 years dedicated to SSR reforms and conflict prevention, the expert has successfully led projects across Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia. Career highlights include authoring numerous publications and developing training materials for global organizations. Previously held roles such as Principal Program Manager and Senior SSR Advisor underscore their strong analytical, negotiation, and mediation skills.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated extensively with international donors, including the EU, Swiss government, and NATO. Worked across diverse projects involving project management, technical assistance, and capacity building in security sector reform, rule of law, and human rights. These projects have been regional and sector-specific, focusing on Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia. The expert has managed programs financed by the Swiss government and participated in EU field missions in Indonesia, Georgia, and other regions, contributing significantly to governance and security initiatives.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in key sectors such as security sector reform, human rights, conflict resolution, and democratization, the expert has held roles including Principal Program Manager, Senior SSR Advisor, and Political Adviser. Responsibilities have included governance and capacity building, with interdisciplinary knowledge spanning human rights integration in security frameworks and gender mainstreaming. Their work has a regional scope, covering Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, with specific projects in countries like Georgia, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. The expert has extensive geographic experience, with significant work in countries such as Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. Participation in EU field missions and development projects in Indonesia, Kosovo, Burkina Faso, and Mali has provided deep familiarity with local governance, cultural dynamics, and regional development issues, particularly in post-conflict and fragile states.

Languages and education

Background includes native proficiency in Lithuanian and Russian, with fluency in English and Ukrainian. The expert possesses working proficiency in French and Serbian, with limited knowledge of Spanish. These language skills have been utilized in various international contexts, including in-country work, participation in multilingual teams, and engagements with international organizations and field missions across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The expert holds a PhD in Social Science from Vilnius University, Lithuania, and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Creighton University and Vilnius University. Additionally, they earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Vilnius University. The expert also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in international security at Columbia University, USA, and obtained a Diplôme d’Université in Election Administration from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, France.