Profile Summary
Senior governance and land governance expert with 25 years of international experience, including over 10 years in Iraq leading politically sensitive EU and USAID funded projects. Proven ability to deliver results under extreme operational and political pressures, from evacuations and remote operations to managing through a global pandemic. As USAID Iraq's Acting GEO Director and Chief Governance Advisor, ensured uninterrupted implementation of governance programs combating corruption, strengthening fiscal management, supporting CSOs, and preparing the Independent High Electoral Commission for elections. Practical land governance experience includes leading the EU Political Economy Analysis of Iraq's Housing, Land & Property (HLP) sector and supporting MULK redesign through stakeholder consultations, reform roadmaps, and strategy development. Skilled in programme and project management, digital solutions for governance (AI tools, databases, learning systems), and donor compliance (logframes, OPSYS, ToC).
Key Competencies
Programme & Project Management
Designed and implemented a portfolio exceeding USD 300 million (EU, USAID) in Iraq, spanning governance reform, land governance, civil society strengthening, and economic growth.
Team & People Management
Directed governance offices and led multicultural Iraqi and international teams (40+ staff), sustaining performance during evacuations, remote operations, and high-risk environments.
Governance & Institutional Reform
Delivered political economy analyses, reform roadmaps, and institutional capacity building; safeguarded continuity of flagship programs during leadership gaps and the global pandemic.
Land Governance
Team Leader for EU Political Economy Analysis of Iraq's HLP sector under the MULK project; steered consultations, analysis, and strategy design while navigating sensitive political and institutional dynamics.
Capacity Development
Designed and delivered training, workshops, and online microlearning systems to strengthen institutional and civil society capacity.
Stakeholder Engagement
Trusted interlocutor with PMO, Parliament, MoJ, Kurdistan Regional Government, CSOs, and donors, adept at navigating politically charged reform processes.
Drafting & Analysis
Authored project reports, reform analyses, and technical studies; shaped USAID and EU positions on land governance, elections, and institutional reforms.
Digital Innovation
Developed AI-powered platforms (DocuManos, QuadraEdge LMS, FURSA) for governance and knowledge management; proficient in PHP/JavaScript coding and database administration.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
Designed and managed results frameworks, adaptive MEL systems, and donor compliance for large-scale governance programmes.
Professional Experience
Team Leader – Political Economy Analysis of HLP Sector (EU Facility)
DAI Global, Iraq & Remote
Feb 2025 – Present
- Led EU-funded PEA of Iraq's Housing, Land & Property sector; provided reform roadmap, revised Scope of Work, and updated Logframe/ToC for MULK.
- Directed international team conducting 60+ interviews and consultations with MoJ, RERD, MoI, Parliament, and KRG.
- Ensured sensitive analysis was validated and positioned for EU engagement despite complex political environment.
Managing Director / Co-Founder
ACS LLC & EmpowerDevTech.com, Montenegro
2022 – Present
- Developed AI-enhanced governance and management tools: DocuManos (document management), QuadraEdge LMS (AI-enabled learning), and FURSA (funding opportunities engine).
- Partnered with CSOs and donors to support localization, digital governance, and climate resilience solutions.
Deputy Director, Democratic Governance Office
USAID Kenya & East Africa, Nairobi
Jan – Apr 2022
- Directed governance and election support programming; designed MEL Systems to optimize compliance and effectiveness.
Governance & Economic Growth Team Lead / Acting Office Director
USAID Iraq, Baghdad
2016 – 2021
- Directed $300M+ portfolio of governance, land, and economic growth programs (IGPA, DCEO).
- Ensured continuity of operations during evacuations, remote work, and the pandemic, sustaining flagship anti-corruption, fiscal reform, and CSO engagement programs.
- Spearheaded USAID’s governance and digitalization initiatives, leading high-level engagements with the UN, Prime Minister’s advisors, and KRG leadership; directed assistance for payroll digitalization and the Erbil Investment Conference.
- Shaped USAID's assistance role with State Departmen, World Bank and UN stakeholders in the run-up to the U.S.–Iraq Strategic Dialogue.
Governance Advisor & Team Lead
USAID Iraq, Baghdad
2011 – 2016
- Managed $75M civil society and governance program (BPCS) through restructures during volatile security and funding crises.
- Coordinated reforms with GoI, Parliament, and civil society, ensuring programmatic continuity.
Senior Management Specialist
USAID Montenegro
2002 – 2011
- Directed governance and institutional reform projects, including local governance (GLG $10M), land-linked infrastructure (STARS $10M), and CRDA ($50M).
- Oversaw $9M Economic Growth Project supporting tourism and agricultural value chains in Northern Montenegro.
- Principal consultant for GoM on environmental fund legislation and water sector reform.
Earlier Role
Ministry of Urban Planning & Environment, Montenegro
1994 – 1998
- Supported urban planning, policy, and environmental governance, including drafting major legislation.
Education
MSc, Pollution & Environmental Control
University of Manchester, UK
Graduate Programme, Environmental Sciences
Central European University, Hungary
BSc, Economics
University of Montenegro, Montenegro
Languages
English – Fluent
Montenegrin – Native
Croatian – Native
Awards
Distinguished Honor Award – USAID Iraq (2015)
Meritorious Honor Awards – USAID Iraq & Montenegro (2009, 2014)
Superior Honor Award – USAID Montenegro (2004)
FSN of the Year – U.S. Consulate Podgorica