AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Project management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams for
major policy development and implementation under EU, USAID, DFiD contracts
- Administrative reforms in the central and local administration
including training
- Commercial law and Legislative reform
- EU and international law (citizenship, minorities, etc.)
- The process of EU integration
COUNTRY EXPERIENCE
Bulgaria (1996-2000;
2003-2004); Romania
(2003-2004); Kosovo (FRY) (2001-2002); Montenegro
(2001-2002); Bosnia and Herzegovina (2004-2006)
EDUCATION
Columbia University, School of Law, New
York, NY, USA, August 2002
– May 2003
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
Master of Laws Degree
Parker School Certificate for Achievement in International and
Comparative Law
European University Institute, Florence, Italy, September 1998 -
September 1999
Masters Degree in Comparative, European and International Law
Sofia University, School of Law, Sofia, Bulgaria, September 1991-April
1996
Jurist B.A, LL.M, Dean’s Honor List
EXPERIENCE
Citizenship Review Commission of the
Council of Ministers of BiH
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (January 2006 - present)
International member - Engaged in reviewing the legality of decisions
concerning the awarding of citizenship to foreign persons by means of
naturalization.
Hulla & Human Dynamics, Support to the Coordinator for Public Administration Reform (October 2005 –
present)
Consultant Public Administration Reform - Played a
principal role in advising high government officials in the preparation
of the BiH’s Strategy for Public Administration Reform and Action
Plans (covering areas such as policy making and coordination,
legislative drafting, administrative service delivery, public
expenditure management, and human resources development). Designed
terms of reference for working groups with government representatives,
and facilitated meetings and inputs into the strategy. Assisted
in building up the capacity of the Office of the Public Administration
Reform Coordinator, which is part of the Office of the Prime-Minister.
Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE) Mission to
Bosnia and Herzegovina (September 2004-October 2005)
International Legal Advisor for Public
Administration Reform – ensured backstopping, guidance and
mentoring to a network of field advisors in the main areas relevant to
local government development (including financial and human resources
management, local self-governance). Chaired and coordinated working
groups with municipalities on the strengthening of internal control
mechanisms. Drafted model rulebooks and manuals for local officials
that focused on strengthening internal control mechanisms and
prevention of corruption and other abuses by local officials. Acted as
focal point for coordination of related reform efforts at State and
Entity levels with other international organizations and
donors.
European Centre for Minority Issues (Flensburg, Germany), Sofia, Bulgaria (September 2003 – August 2004)
Director for Bulgaria - Developed regional work
planning, including assessment missions in Bulgaria and Romania and
consultations with the two governments and with donors. Established and
managed the implementation of ECMI program for support of minority
reforms in Bulgaria, responding to EU accession requirements. In 2004,
managed a grant of the U.K. Global Conflict Prevention Fund on
Enhancing Minority Governance in Bulgaria. Led national seminars and
roundtables and advised senior government officials and MPs on the
introduction of minority standards in the main areas of public policy.
Designed joined initiatives with the Bulgarian Ombudsman, including a
Guide to Good Practice.
United
States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission for
Kosovo and Montenegro Pristina, Kosovo (January 2001- July 2002)
Commercial Law Advisor (Personnel Services
Contractor - PSC). Prioritized and designed project tasks for the
Mission’s commercial law program in Kosovo and Montenegro.
Oversaw the work of a team of about 30 international and national
consultants that were seconded to UNMIK/Pillar IV. . Provided analysis
and advice on the design of EU/compliant commercial law, privatization,
and public utilities reforms that promote transparency, accountability
and effective governance. Responsible for the design of a training
program for law students and legal practitioners. Prepared program
evaluations, briefs and policy papers, and helped to ensure that
reporting requirement of USAID headquarters are satisfactorily
discharged. Liaisoned with UNMIK officials on the shift from UNMIK to
joint UNMIK/PISG or sole PISG responsibility. Coordinated and
participated in meetings with key government counterparts. Received
“Outstanding Performance Award", USAID, July 2001.
Government of Bulgaria, European Integration Directorate
Sofia, Bulgaria (January 2000 - March 2000 and September 2000- December
2000)
Legal Counselor – Assisted in the
development of a methodology for harmonization of Bulgarian laws and
policies with the EU acquis, and a system for monitoring the legal
approximation exercise. Analyzed a wide range of legislation and other
documents submitted to the Directorate for European Integration for
comments prior to adoption, and supported line ministries in the
preparation of required draft legislation.
European Commission, DG Competition (Enterprise Aspects of Competition Unit)
Brussels, Belgium (March 2000 - July 2000)
Analyst –Conducted research and drafting
legal opinions on selected topics and merger cases; participated in the
hearings of companies and inter-service meetings. Was directly
responsible for progress analysis on the Unit’s projects:
“The impact of EC competition legislation on innovation”
and “The effect of globalization on geographical market
definition”. Assisted in analyzing the new European
Commission’s guidelines on horizontal and vertical restraints to
competition.
Foreign Investment Agency, Government of
Bulgaria, Sofia, Bulgaria
(January 1996 – January 2000)
Head of Legal Department - Led the team
responsible for reforming the legislative framework for foreign
investment. Recommended policy solutions to combat corruption, and
improve opportunities for investment, in line with the requirements of
EU accession. Along with leading policy work in Bulgaria, participated
in the work of the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International
Business Transactions.
Legal Counselor – I started my career in the
Bulgarian administration as a legal counselor in the Foreign Investment
Agency, providing legal advice to existing and potential foreign
investors, and assisting in legislative reform efforts.
LANGUAGES
Fluent in English and Bulgarian; good knowledge of German, Russian,
and Serbo-Croatian.
PUBLICATIONS
“Full and effective participation
of minorities in EU
accession countries” (chapters on Bulgaria and Ro-mania, in
progress), European Centre for Minority Issues
“Making Post-Conflict International Assistance More
Effective” (with Robert Taylor), Journal for Inter-national
Security Affairs, Washington, D.C., October , 2003
“Joint Ventures in European Competition Law”,
Library of the European University Institute, September, 1999.
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