Team

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:

1. a) Implementation and application of QA mechanism in ALLED2 relevant sectors for VET in line with NQF/EQF criteria (including development of high-quality labour market relevant qualifications). Provide direct support to NQA and KAA including the process of post accreditation monitoring;
2. b) Support smart communication of education and labour market relevant data bases in order to serve as information for improving quality and further planning.

Skender Boshtrakaj, is an experienced director with a demonstrated competence in the management of complex multi-cultural projects and strategic planning. Graduated fine arts at Prishtina University, with a master’s degree in Design and Lighting, a practicing artist, curator, and successful manager in the field of youth development programs, education, and culture. Specialized in diplomacy and European Co-operation (Clingendael Institute, Den Haag) and in Human resource management (Bundesacademie, Berlin, Germany), since the year 2000, Mr. Boshtrakaj was highly involved in relevant EU-integration related processes, in the field of the internal market, with the focus on intellectual property and free movement of cultural goods. Skender is an active contributor to institution-building process in Kosovo, directly involved in the establishment of Department of Youth, Office for European Integration, Office for Copyrights and related rights, Division for the integrated management and Cultural Tourism, lately, director of the Kosovo National Museum and as well, in design and implementation of Kosovo wide projects, policies and legislation: Young people’s transition to decent work (ILO), First Youth Policy in the country (GoK), Law on Youth empowerment (RKS), Youth Employment Policy (GoK), Empowerment and Development of Youth in Kosovo (Gtz), Youth Development Program (WB), IPA Programming (EU and GoK), Culture for All(EU), Policy on Integrated Management of Cultural Heritage(GoK), etc.

He was involved in the creation and promotion of several youth organizations, cultural and environmental associations and business startups initiated by young people, throughout the country. Currently, Steering Board Member of the Balkan Museum Network and International Board Member of the Cities of Peace.

In brief, the main responsibilities of the Coordinator – Governance in Education:

• Responsible for the successful implementation and oversight of Governance Component focusing on education and employment-related policies in line with national economic development priorities of Kosovo and social inclusion principles.
• Support the processes related to strengthening the link between education and Labour Market needs, which include the communication and cooperation with targeted public Education institutions including higher education, business representatives, and other relevant bodies.
• Support the processes related to governance procedures for education and training systems leading to the approximation of the labor market with education.

Mr. Arsim Maloku has gathered experience in Finance, procurement and contract management in migration area with German Agency for Migration and Refugees in Ludwigsburg and Reutlingen and with GIZ Kosovo and Albania providing socio-economical support to returnees from Germany and France in their home country. UNDP in a joint project of UN Agencies with a focus on rising dissatisfaction, frustration and anxiety resulting from stalled political process and in an attempt to establish and consolidate a cooperation between divided communities and build trust between them.

Project implementation – DSE and InWEnt gGmbH in Feldafing, Leipzig and Bonn implementing agricultural/ administrative reforms projects for training of participants from the Balkan countries in an attempt to harmonize laws and administrative regulations of their countries of origin with the those of EU countries. EU IPA CBC projects contributed to good neighbourly relations between Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Procurement and M&E – the Global Fund health project fighting TB

Prior to that, Mr. Maloku held the position of an English teacher at Sami Frashëri Grammar School in Prishtina, Assistant Lecturer at a private university college Universum as well as led Albanian courses for refugee children at the Volkshochschule Stuttgart in their support to preserve their native language.

He also did a lot of humanitarian work with Mutter Tereza Association in Munich round Germany and Switzerland, and with Caritas Stuttgart in providing relief to Kosovar refugees hosted in Macedonia during Kosova war in 1999.

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 Communication Officer responsibilities can be summarized as follow:

a) Communication/PR & Social Media

b) 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;

c) Provide support to FPA Officer in tasks defined as per Ad 5

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.

Ms. Horina has more than 17 years of professional experience as a key international expert in the field of Law.

Ms. Horina successfully managed and implemented the Human Rights& Rule of Law Programme in Montenegro for six years as the Head of Office.

She was a key expert responsible for the component of the General Prosecutor of Uzbekistan, GIZ/ EU-funded Project. Moreover Ms. Horinas’ experience also involves her expertise as a Key expert who was responsible for the component of Administrative law and Legal Reforms, GIZ/EU funded project in Kyrgyz Republic for four years.

In September 2020 Ms. Horina was appointed as Head of Austrian Development Cooperation for Kosovo.

Ms. Horina holds the Advanced Law Degree from Vienna Law School and she is an Academic Expert on European Law from Donau Krems University. She is a native speaker of German and Croatian Languages with professional fluency in English. Furthermore, she has an excellent understanding and sound speaking of French and Russian.

In brief, the ADA/ADC Country Directors responsibilities related to the project ALLED2 are as follows:

The overall management of Human Resources for the Project Team and the responsibility for the successful implementation of the EU-funded and ADA co-founded 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.