Project Officer

• Apr 2021 - Present

Research and Communications Consultant

• Sep 2016 - Apr 2021

RESEARCH • Co-wrote an Evaluation of Serbia’s Strategy for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for the Period 2010-2015, commissioned by the OSCE Mission to Serbia for the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia. Reviewed relevant national legislation, EU accession documents, academic papers, other open source data, and conducted over 30 interviews with key stakeholders and experts in Serbia and internationally. • Compiled, edited, and oversaw the publication of two Regional Reports on Arms Exports (2014&2015). • Co-authored an investigative piece for the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network on illegal fishing in the Danube. COMMUNICATIONS • Served as a Communications Consultant for UN Women office managing 6 projects (Sep-Dec 2019) o Formulated communications strategy for ‘Economy of Care” project in consultation with the donor. o Nurtured media relations; organized interviews, provided context to media, wrote press releases, TPs. o Conceptualized, organized and/or supported high-visibly public campaigns and events. o Ensured proper visibility for all projects through content production, high quality branding, coordination and support of various CSOs, government and donor partners, regional and HQ UN Women offices, etc. • Developed a methodology for promotion of good public finance practices at the local level for UNDP Serbia. • Oversaw the production of 12 promotional videos and numerous infographics for UNDP/SEESAC, UNDP Serbia, and UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina. Show less

Project/Communications Officer

• Mar 2011 - Mar 2016

1. Led SEESAC’s regional Arms Exports Control in the Western Balkans project focused on supporting regional cooperation and bolstering capacity of national authorities in the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defense etc. • In close cooperation with national counterparts, assessed region-wide and nation-specific needs for improving arms exports control mechanisms, devised needs-based assistance tools, and oversaw their implementation. • Organized Regional Information Exchange Process meetings, helped shape regional discussion, and facilitated exchange of knowledge. • Compiled and edited 3 Regional Reports and oversaw the design/publication of 7 National Reports on Arms Exports. • Managed the budget, reported to the donor, and maintained relations with all key international actors in the field. 2. Managed the implementation of SEESAC’s SALW Collection and Awareness Raising activities. • Oversaw the implementation of regional SALW Awareness Raising Campaigns. • Supported national authorities in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in administering their respective national collection and legalization campaigns by providing guidance and expert advice on best practices, and assisting with shaping and implementation of media outreach. • Helped devise a methodology for data collection and analysis, ensuring more effective national campaigns. 3. Devised and oversaw the implementation of communication strategies for SEESAC projects. Identified various audiences, defined project messages and outreach tools. • Served as project’s spokesperson for TV, radio and print media. Drafted press releases & talking points. • Managed drafting/editing, design, and printing of 25 pubs and all promotional materials; managed post-/production of 5 promotional videos. • Oversaw the design of SEESAC’s website and social media platforms;ensured synchronized upkeep of all platforms. • Developed social media strategies and campaigns; Show less

Consultant

• Jul 2009 - Aug 2009

• Interviewed dozens of Russian soldiers, officers and officials about the state of the Russian military. • Shadowed SMSP staff tasked with assisting victims of hazing navigate through the military legal system. • Filmed material for an investigative/advocacy documentary about the problem of hazing in the Russian military. • Advised SMSP Director on their long-term program strategy. • Wrote a proposal and won a €175,000 grant from the European Commission. • Interviewed dozens of Russian soldiers, officers and officials about the state of the Russian military. • Shadowed SMSP staff tasked with assisting victims of hazing navigate through the military legal system. • Filmed material for an investigative/advocacy documentary about the problem of hazing in the Russian military. • Advised SMSP Director on their long-term program strategy. • Wrote a proposal and won a €175,000 grant from the European Commission.

Senior/Program Officer

• Mar 2007 - Aug 2008

Headed the American Committee for Peace in the Caucasus (ACPC), program dedicated to raising awareness among the U.S. and European governments, and general public about the rising instability in Russia’s North Caucasus. • Analyzed the security and human rights situation in the North Caucasus and wider-Russia, and formulated Freedom House’s message on the region. • Regularly advised government officials at the U.S. Congress, National Security Council, State Department, Council of Europe and European capitals about the security implications of violence in the North Caucasus. • Established a close relationship with indigenous non-government organizations, community leaders and journalists who provided ACPC with a detailed record of daily activities on the ground. • Established and maintained a coalition of key Russian, U.S. and international organizations committed to raising awareness and increasing funding for democratization, development, and humanitarian projects in the region. • Successfully advocated for $3 million (60%) increase in the U.S. Congressional funding for the North Caucasus. • Created a network of journalists and provided them with a platform to publish first-hand reports and analysis of developments in the North Caucasus exclusively for ACPC. • Organized a number of public events featuring North Caucasian and Russian activists, journalists and experts. • Managed program budget of $260,000 and maintained all donor relations. Show less

Communications Consultant

• Jan 2006 - Feb 2007

Assisted the Executive Coordinator in managing internal and external communications. • Served as content manager, editor and contributor for the magazine AmCham Perspective. • Managed the publication of a weekly AmCham E-NEWS. Assisted the Executive Coordinator in managing internal and external communications. • Served as content manager, editor and contributor for the magazine AmCham Perspective. • Managed the publication of a weekly AmCham E-NEWS.

Program Manager

• Oct 2004 - May 2005

Managed development and coordination of all AmCham advocacy initiatives, for approximately 150 members, dealing with issues ranging from private sector security, to intellectual property rights and tax law. • Helped task force and committee members define concrete goals, strategize ways to achieve them, formulate policy papers, charters, mission statements, etc. • Identified strategic partners including government officials, NGOs and consultants in order to negotiate and collaborate with them while advocating for policy changes. • In collaboration with the U.S. embassy, set up the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) in Serbia. • Successfully pushed five amendments to the new tax law through Serbia’s Parliament. Show less

Research Assistant

• Sep 2001 - Aug 2004

(1) Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in the Balkans - Department of State funded project: • Investigated involvement of peacekeepers and other international actors in human trafficking in the Balkans, through in-depth research and in-the-field interviews of U.S. military and contractors, NATO, UN, NGOs and IOs personnel, in the U.S., Bosnia and Kosovo. • Accompanied DOD Office of Inspector General’s investigation of U.S. military personnel in the Balkans. • Helped co-organize a conference on TIP, at NATO HQ, with the U.S. and Norwegian missions to NATO. • Contributed to the NATO Trafficking in Persons Policy. • Contributed, through research and analysis, to the writing of the CSIS report “Barracks and Brothels.” (2) Human Rights in Russia and Democracy Assistance in Serbia: • Organized public campaign strategy trainings for Russian human rights activists by their Serbian counterparts, held in Russia and Serbia. • Conducted research and in-the-field interviews for the study of democracy assistance impact in Serbia. (3) General program support for the Russia Eurasia Program, which managed more than 10 projects. • Assisted the running of the Program on New Approaches to Russian Security (PONARS), a network of 70 leading social scientists on Russian/Eurasian security from the U.S., Russia and Ukraine. • Assisted with grant writing, budget tracking and reporting to multiple donors. Show less