Experience

European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management

• Germany
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founding Director

  • Mar 2020 - Present



ZIF - Zentrum für Internationale Friedenseinsätze gGmbH

• Germany
• International Affairs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head, Training Team

  • Nov 2013 - Jun 2020



Freelance

• Guest Lecturer and Independent Expert

  • Feb 2013 - Nov 2013

  Led discussions on the tense relationship between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the role of the EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for U.S. interests in Central Asia with a view to the withdrawal of international combat forces from Afghanistan for George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute, and the Woodrow Wilson Center. Led discussions on the tense relationship between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the role of the EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for U.S. interests in Central Asia with a view to the withdrawal of international combat forces from Afghanistan for George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute, and the Woodrow Wilson Center.



United Nations

• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Human Rights Officer with the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA)

  • Feb 2012 - Jan 2013

  Took lead in the implementation of a dialogue program for Central Asian governments in politically controversial areas. Facilitated discussions at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers on a sustainable approach toward counter-terrorism including through addressing domestic problems such as repression of religious belief (Islam) and human rights violations. Contributed to the implementation of an innovative project aimed at transforming the threat-narrative of the water-energy nexus in the region into a win-win perception. Provided UN HQ and the UN Security Council with high quality analysis and policy recommendations, including in the sphere of human rights.



OSCE

• Austria
• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek ad interim, and Senior Economic & Environmental Officer

  • Jul 2010 - Feb 2012

  Steered a directional shift of the international community in Kyrgyzstan toward the promotion of conflict-sensitive reconstruction in the south of Kyrgyzstan in the aftermath of ethnic clashes in June 2010, thus contributing to the prevention of a relapse into violence. Chaired weekly political and security briefings for the diplomatic corps, international organizations and international financial institutions in the aftermath of the dramatic political uprising in Kyrgyzstan in 2010. Led intensive consultations of the international development partner cooperation council in Kyrgyzstan on controversial issues such as the adoption of an “ethnic concept” in Kyrgyzstan. These consultations were instrumental for the prevention of the adoption of an exclusive ethnic concept which would have further exacerbated ethnic tensions. Developed and steered a capacity building program to improve local self-government bodies’ ability to more equally allocate and properly use scarce water and land resources. Co-chaired (with USAID) an international coordination mechanism on local self-government. Contributed substantially to the curriculum of the Master’s Program on Economic Governance and Development at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. The OSCE Academy educates young leaders from all over Central Asia and Afghanistan in Political Science and Economic Governance. Occasionally served as the Academy’s guest lecturer. Took lead in the implementation of an innovative corruption-prevention program which had been jointly developed by the OECD Anti-corruption network and the OSCE. Supervised 113 international and national staff and managed the annual Mission budget (USD 7.7 million). Represented the OSCE at numerous high-level international events.



Freelance

• Consultant

  • Oct 2008 - Jul 2010

  Master Trainer for the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF), Germany. Design and conduct of training (in Russian and English) on election observation for lawmakers and election administration officials from Belarus and Ukraine; Political Analyst, OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Missions to the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Moldova; Strategic Conflict Assessment, Georgia, DfID. Analysis of the Georgia-Russia war and development of a strategy and recommendations for UK government peace-building engagement



Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

• Germany
• International Trade and Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Advisor Capacity Development

  • Nov 2007 - Sep 2008

  Set up and led a capacity building program for a network of 60 local councils throughout three Northern provinces to boost their ability to respond to needs of the local population and improve public trust in government institutions as reliable service providers. Coordinated identification and secured support (financially from Germany, in-kind from the local communities) for education and infrastructure projects in close cooperation with ISAF RC North (Mazar-i Sharif and Kunduz), village elders and religious leaders (Mullahs and Mawlawis).



United Nations

• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Political Affairs Officer with the UN Peace-building Support Office in Tajikistan (UNTOP)

  • Dec 2005 - Jul 2007

  Restructured a national dialog project under UNTOP auspices to ensure broader representation of Mullahs and women NGOs in this process, including from the rural areas of the country in attempts to strengthen the fragile peacebuilding process in the country. Led intensive consultations with government representatives to elicit their political support for a more inclusive approach. Political analysis and reporting. Liaison with international media. Restructured a national dialog project under UNTOP auspices to ensure broader representation of Mullahs and women NGOs in this process, including from the rural areas of the country in attempts to strengthen the fragile peacebuilding process in the country. Led intensive consultations with government representatives to elicit their political support for a more inclusive approach. Political analysis and reporting. Liaison with international media.



Various consultancies

• Consultant

  • Aug 2004 - Dec 2005

  Consultancies for WFP, KfW; Save the Children; GTZ; and the German Heinrich-Böll-Foundation in the South Caucasus. Consultancies for WFP, KfW; Save the Children; GTZ; and the German Heinrich-Böll-Foundation in the South Caucasus.



OSCE

• Austria
• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Coordinator Pol & Mil Affairs, Spokesperson/PPIO, Human Dimension Officer - Mission to Georgia

  • Jun 1999 - Aug 2004

  Developed a program to build capacity of civil servants (local self-government bodies, election administrators, Ombudsman and officials dealing with conflict issues (Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts) to improve their response to needs and demands of the population. Led civil-military cooperation on a Small Arms and Light Weapons program and another one aimed at scrapping of superfluous ammunition and weapons (remnants of the Soviet Army). Designed Mission policy on gender issues, attuning it to the OSCE Gender Action Plan. Set up (with ODIHR) the first coalition of women NGOs in the South Caucasus to promote female inclusion in political decision making. Established and led a Project Coordination Team responsible for all project-related activities of the Mission. Successfully liaised with international media at times of strains between Georgia and Russia (2002), contributing to an easing of tensions.



OSCE

• Austria
• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office - Field Assistant

  • Feb 1998 - Mar 1999

  Regularly conducted cease-fire monitoring in efforts to build confidence and to prevent resumptions of hostilities. Prepared and facilitated conversations (by radio) between military commanders on both sides of the front line. Political analysis and reporting. Regularly conducted cease-fire monitoring in efforts to build confidence and to prevent resumptions of hostilities. Prepared and facilitated conversations (by radio) between military commanders on both sides of the front line. Political analysis and reporting.