Ms Efka Heder has over 25 years of professional experience as an international education expert, in the field of lifelong entrepreneurial learning, educational reforms and development of educational policies, development of learning outcomes, national qualification framework and national curricula, training of teachers and school management, and policy development for education with a special focus on entrepreneurial eco-system; being an education policy analyst and expert in development and reforms of the human capital dimension also related to EU Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship development agenda. Ms Heder is also MIT InnovatorsUnder35 Ambassador and World Business Angel Investment Forum (WBAF) Senator for entrepreneurial learning and women entrepreneurship; member of EU expert groups for entrepreneurial learning, woman and migrants’ entrepreneurship; EU Entrepreneurship Education Competence framework; and Developing Indicators for measuring implementation of entrepreneurship education as a key competence for EU member states. She leaded SEECEL (South East European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning) for 10 years, since its inception to one of EU and world best practices.
In brief, the team leaders’ main responsibilities are:
a) Management of Project Implementation Unit and Project finances and ensuring conditions for achieving project expected results as defined per DoA
b) Coordination and representation with all relevant stakeholders
c) Project visibility
Mr. Agon Dula is an experienced professional economist with a demonstrated history of working in private, government and NGO sectors. During the last ten years, Mr Dula was highly involved in relevant EU processes related to private sector developments and competitiveness with structured economy – education cooperation being keystones for future sustainable growth and development. Besides being engaged in teaching at public and private universities for more than 3 years. Agon, as Strategic Advisor to the Minister of Economic Development, has been directly involved in many large scale projects, including the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, which addressed strengthening of human capital for digital economy and support to digital businesses, integration into the global market through Kosovo Digital Economy program, creation of Digital Excellence Centres and Tech Parks in coordination with academia, public and private sector, equipping high schools around Kosovo with equipment for training, testing and mentoring in the field of ICT, etc.
In brief main VET/Private Sector Cooperation Coordinator responsibilities can be summarised as follow:
a) VET – private sector structured cooperation based on principles of structured dialogue with all relevant stakeholders actively included supports sustainable growth and development and competitiveness of Kosovo economy (on local and national level).
b) Support ALLED2 VET providers towards excellency in VET through NQF/EQF relevant curriculum development and implementation (EU key competence framework applied); structured approach to teacher training (pre-service and in-service), school management excellence: teaching and learning excellence supported by relevant and efficient teaching/learning tools and equipment (WBL and RPL included)
c) Support cross educational level cooperation and mobility in order to improve school to work transition.
Mr. Anton Gojani has over 20 years of professional experience working as national and international expert in the field of LLL policies and practices related to educational reforms and development of educational policies, development of learning outcomes, national qualification framework and national curricula, training of teachers and school management, from policy development over policy implementation to policy and practice evaluation. Mr Gojani has broad international experience in developing and implementing systematic QA as well as occupational standards and occupational classification (ISCO 08) and qualification frameworks (EQF based). In addition, he was Vice-president of the NQA Steering Board (7 years) and special advisor for VET to the Minister (MLSW), member of the National VET Councils Member with intensive experience of the EU IPA programming (MEST and MLSW). Mr Gojani holds a PhD Degree in Governance and Public Administration with thesis on Administration and the Quality Management of HE in Kosova.
In brief main NQA/QA Coordinator responsibilities can be summarised as follow:
Mr Florin Kelmendi has more than 17 years of working experience in the area of procurement, administration and finance. His workplaces included mostly international organizations such as: United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) etc. Mr. Kelmendi has additionally significant experience in the private sector, mostly in the field of management, sales, and corporate governance.
Mr. Kelmendi holds a Master’s Degree in Economics (2013) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Informatics (2011) from the University of Pristina.
In brief main Finance, Procurement & Administrative Officer responsibilities can be summarised as follow in close cooperation with team leader:
a) Sound financial management with financial policies and procedures in place with utilisation of project budget as per project documentation (including budget forecast and planning and reporting according to ADA and EU rules and the POM). Ensure compliance with tax and financial management regulations, relevant procedures for customs and tax exemption; regular audit activities (internal and external) and reporting as per ADA procedures and EU requirements.
b) Office management and operations related procurement activities and purchase orders, including financial and contractual preparations in line with ADA procedures and EU regulations.
c) In close cooperation with ADA CO PRN administers personnel data/files of the project team and financial issues.
Ms Venera Kamberaj has more than five years of working experience in the area of administrative support and communication activities as Outreach Specialist within USAID program and Marketing Assistant at Insajder (online newspaper).
In brief main Administrator & Communication Assistant responsibilities can be summarised as follow:
a) Provide support to FPA Officer in tasks defined as per Ad 5
b) Communication/PR & Social Media
c) Coordinate project communication and visibility activities and ensure the implementation of the project communication and visibility plan, in compliance with EU and ADA regulations with development of project visual identity (brand book) with development and management of the project’s web page;
Mr Shpend Hoti has more than 19 years of relevant experience within international institutions and projects in Kosovo. Mr Hoti is also trained in health, safety in security issues which is added asset to PIU and overall project. Based on prior training Mr Hoti is also assigned PIU coordinator for internal health, safety and security (physical) issues as well as firefighting procedures to be in place.
In brief main responsibilities Driver/Support Assistant /Interpreter/Logistics can be summarised as follow:
a) Coordination and implementation projects related logistics requirements, driving services, project vehicles and project office regular maintenance
b) Coordinate PIU health, safety and security requirements as per ADA protocols and national legislation.
Ms. Gresa Abrashi is engaged in Austrian Development Agency – Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation, Austrian Embassy Prishtina as Head of Administration & Finance and Personal Assistant to the ADA Country Director. Ms. Abrashi has more than 9 years of professional working experience in the field of HR, Admin. and Finance. Her work environment comprises mostly of international agencies and organizations such as international NGO’s, government contracting companies such as Civilian Police International under United States Department of State (DOS), the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), European Security and Defense Policy Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), mostly in the field of Human Resources Management, Organizational Management and Finance. Ms. Abrashi graduated from the University of Prishtina, with a bachelor’s degree in German Language and Literature, and additionally holds a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology/Human Resources.
The main duties and responsibilities of Ms. Abrashi as the Head of Admin. & Finance related to ALLED2 is to: Ensure proper implementation of ADA guidelines Ensure sound financial management with financial policies and procedures in place, related to the expenses with ADA and EU relevant budgetary and financial policies and procedures. Monitor budget and expenditures and contribution to budget revision. Liaise with ADA-Head Office in Vienna, Department of Finances & Administration, the HR, IT Units and PR, Social Media Administer personnel data/files of the project team Monitor procurement in close cooperation with ALLED2 team Ensure proper accounting in close cooperation with ALLED2 team Ensure compliancy with local tax and financial management regulations, and in particular ensure compliance with relevant procedures for customs, tax exemption. Ensure compliancy with local labour laws and remunerations, wages, taxes and pension contributions.
Dr. Gunther Zimmer has more than 20 years of professional experience as an Executive and Senior Manager in International Companies and Organizations in the field of International Management, Insurance & Financial Sector, Key Account Management, Business Development, Organization- and Team building, Logistics, International Development Cooperation, Program Management, Security, Peace Building, Conflict Sensitivity and Conflict Prevention, Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Resilience, Implementation of Country and Regional Programs, Human Resources- and Change Management. Since 2007 to date Dr. Zimmer has been appointed by the Minister of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European & International Affairs and hired by the Austrian Development Agency as Counsellor & Country Director in South Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus: From 2007 – 2011 he was deployed to and responsible for Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, from 2012 – 2016 he was deployed to and responsible for Georgia and Armenia also as acting Head of Mission (Ambassador) and since 2016 Dr. Zimmer is deployed to and responsible for Kosovo with bilateral and regional responsibilities and management functions. Previously, Dr. Zimmer was hired as Executive Assistant and later as Country Director for the Allianz Insurance Group in Vienna and Salzburg. Additionally, Dr. Zimmer completed the Military Academy, completed various special trainings at the National Defence Academy and served as Senior Staff Officer and Senior Professional in different management positions in various multinational/international Peace Enforcement-, Peace Building- and Peace Keeping Missions (e.g. KFOR in Kosovo, SFOR and EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, etc.); e.g. as Chief Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC), Chief Contract & Finance, Chief Logistics & Head of the Austrian National Support Element, Chief of Personnel & Administration and as Teamleader in a Multinational Military Police Unit. Dr. Zimmer holds a Master Degree (Mag. jur.) with specialization in Public Law and International Law and PhD Degree from the University of Salzburg (1999) as Doctor of Law (Dr. iur.) with specialization in Medical-, Labour- and Social Law. In addition, Dr. Zimmer is certified as HR-Manager, HR-Business Partner, Project & Program Manager, International Military Police Officer and Rescue Diver. He is specialist for Leadership Excellence and Team Leadership, International Public & Humanitarian Law. ———————————————————– In brief, the ADA/ADC Country Directors responsibilities related to the project ALLED2 are: The overall Human Resources responsibility for the Project Team and the responsibility for the successful implementation of the EU-funded and ADA co-funded ALLED2-project according to applicable EU and ADA guidelines.
Ms. Zaimi has more than 20 years’ experience in project management and implementation, strategy design, results oriented monitoring and evaluation.
Successfully managed and coordinated the implementation of various programs with over 4 million Euro funded by the European Commission, Austrian Development Agency, German Government, and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. She has extensive experience in liaising with international development institutions, government and municipal structures in promoting Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training, experienced in working with and for youth, women and minorities, job placement, empowering local civil society and different ethnic communities to reduce poverty and build sustainable peace.
Since 2015 Ms. Zaimi is responsible for Program and Project Management of Education projects funded by Austrian Development Agency in Kosovo by supporting programme development and promoting Austrian funding instruments such as bilateral and multilateral grants, NGO cooperation and know how transfers among others. Ms Zaimi is responsible for supporting Policy and Planning processes under the Higher Education, Qualification Framework and Vocational Education and for liaising and coordinating with Ministries, other governmental authorities and institutions at all levels.
During the implementation of ALLED 1 (2015-2017) Ms. Zaimi served as task manager of ADA’s Coordination Office in Kosovo and as a contact point for the integration of project components.
Ms Zaimi was extensively involved in the design of ALLED 2. Her responsibilities during the implementation of “Aligning Education and Training with Labour Market Needs” ALLED2 will be the following: In Cooperation with the ADA HQ Programme Managers, supporting the ADA Head of Coordination office in Pristina in supervising the Project implementation. Serve as strategic contact point for EUOK and PIU – (TL) Support in monitoring and evaluation of the project activities.
Ms Zaimi holds BA in Psychology at Faculty of Philosophy at University of Pristina and is certified in “Leadership and Developmental Community Youth Work” from the University of South East Europe in North Macedonia. Currently she is working on Thesis for finalizing Master Studies for “School Psychology and Counseling” at Faculty of Philosophy at University of Pristina.
