Project Team
Team Leader – Nicu Fota
Nicu has managed a variety of programs and projects in health sectors for 15 years before joining the AQH Project Phase II as Team Leader. He has also technically contributed to the first phase of the project during 2015-2019. He is an economist and mathematician with a MPH on Health Services Management.
Having worked in East European countries and in the Balkans, in most of the cases for SDC, WB, EU funded projects, he has developed his expertise in capacity building and health sector strengthening amongst others in the following domains: quality management and quality of care, guideline development and implementation, regionalisation of services, procurement programs, community integrated care, economic assessments, continuing medical education, health promotion campaigns, organisational development.
E-mail: [email protected]
Deputy Team Leader – Dr. Qamile Ramadani
Qamile is General Practitioner/Epidemiologist with over 30 years of experience working in the health sector in Kosovo and Albania. She has held senior positions with seven health and social services development programmes in the last ten years focussing on health reform and health management, statistical reform and decentralised service provision.
In addition she has held the positions of Director of Mitrovica Regional Institute of Public Health and Professional Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Health. Qamile has successfully completed training courses on Decentralisation, Health Sector Reform, Sustainable Financing and Quality Improvement in the Harvard School of Public Health.
E-mail: [email protected]
Output 1 Lead – Dr. Genc Ymerhalili
Genc is the AQH project lead for Output I. He is a Family Medicine doctor and the former Director for the Centre for Development of Family Medicine in Kosovo where he played a lead role in developing the Family Medicine Training Programme, which has been internationally accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners in the UK. The Royal College awarded him Honorary Fellowship in November 2016.
E-mail: [email protected]
Output 2 Lead – Dr. Merita Shehu
Merita is a General practitioner, and she holds a Master’s Degree in Health Management. She has nearly 20 years of experience supporting public and environmental health initiatives, including projects that promote health, human rights, capacity building and empowerment. She has worked for five years with the Joint Venture between Dorsch International Consultants and CDI- SDC funded Program on institutional development, capacity building and raising awareness on health issues.
Merita was responsible for leading a seven-year project: “Building Social Dialogue in the Health Sector in Kosovo”. This project aimed to empower and develop health trade unions, focused on women and youth. She has extended experience working with Oxfam GB in the public health projects in Kosova.
Email: [email protected]
Output 3 Lead – Dr.Bajram Maxhuni
Bajram is a Family Medicine Specialist with nearly 20 years experience in managing and coordinating development projects and programmes, mainly in Family Medicine/Primary Health Care and Mother, Child and Reproductive Health.
He has worked with many international NGOs as well as UN Agencies and consultancy organisations. As the Outcome 3 Lead, Bajram is responsible for developing managerial capacities of the PHC leaders in the12 project municipalities.
E-mail: [email protected]
Output 5 Lead - Dr. Arta Ibrani-Zhubi
Arta is a Medical Doctor with 20 years of experience in health development projects/programmes. She has a deep understanding and experience on policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and different assessment/publications mainly in health sector.
She has worked with different agencies on implementation of several health programs like: WHO, UN Women EU, SDC and LuxDev. She gained a deep understanding of regional level while working as a Project Cycle Management Specialist with EU funded project and being part of the team of the regional office for the Balkans of the LuxDev, in Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo projects. Her professional experience was further enriched when Arta joined civil society organizations focused in health-related areas.
She joined the AQH project in January 2021 and currently is working as Senior Health Specialist contributing towards municipal Primary Healthcare development activities mainly with service providers and community.
E mail [email protected]
Output 6 Lead – Dr. Elvira Rasimi
Elvira is a General Practitioner who has worked for 16 years with different national and international organizations including: HandiKos; IOM; UNICEF/MoH; UNFPA; and Save the Children Kosovo. During this time she has implemented projects/ programmes related to disabilities, migration, reproductive health and family planning, and civil registration and she has contributed to building the capacities of local NGOs and government stakeholders on issues such as case management and disability. Her experience in working with RAE NGOs and marginalized groups is particularly important for her role as the Outcome 6 Lead for the AQH project.
E-mail: [email protected]
Senior Communications Officer – Zana Aqifi
Zana Aqifi is a specialist of communications, holding a degree in journalism. She has extensive experience in business management and communications, media management, campaigns, marketing and PR. She has worked with a number of national and international institutions in planning, organizing and executing PR strategies and has proven to effectively present community based organizations to the public in a positive manner.
Among other achievements, Zana has demonstrated outstanding social responsibility and fundraising skills by creating and leading the “Let’s dance campaign”, which advocates for Kosovo mothers and children in need.
E-mail: [email protected]
Ardian Imeti – Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Ardian Imeti joined the AQH II project in September 2020 as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
He has over 20 years of experience in project management, monitoring & evaluation and communications & outreach in different projects in Kosovo and region supporting people with disabilities, migration/IDPs, socio-economic developments, reintegration, civil registration, address system, public administration reform and e-governance. Ardian holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, MBA in Leadership and Sustainability and Diploma of Professional Studies in Project Management. He has worked with many international NGOs and consulting companies such as Handicap International, ICMC, European Perspective, DRC, UNDP/NATO Trust Fund, B&S Europe, GDSI Ltd and VNG International. He also contributed to the first phase of the project as a short-term consultant.
As the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, he is responsible for monitoring and evaluating AQH II project activities.
E-mail: [email protected]
Project Officer- Blerta Haxha Mahmutaj
Blerta is a licensed pharmacist and she holds a Master of Pharmacy degree from University of Prishtina.
She has extensive working experience working with national and international organizations (Deutsche Frauenklinik, Deutsche Klinik, Deloitte, Heimerer College, US Treasury Department, UNMIK).
She is experienced in management of Secondary Health Institution with emphasis on Gynecology, Abdominal surgery and Pharmacy; including working with regulators on accreditation and audits and ensuring adherence to government rules and regulations. Lecturer of pharmacy programs.
At AQH, Blerta is appointed as Project Officer of Output 1 where she holds a role on supporting the Output 1 leader to plan, implement, disseminate and evaluate activities in compliance with project plans.
E-mail: [email protected]
Project Officer – Jeta Spahija
Jeta Spahija holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She has several years of professional experiences working in administration, human resources, management, finance, logistics and training coordination. For several years she was part of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Action Contre La Faim (ACF), Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and IPKO Telecommunications.
As the AQH’s Project Officer, she is mainly involved in Output 2 working on Demonstration Sites, while exemplifying evidence-based best practices in design and implementation, support of health-related initiatives.
E-mail: [email protected]
Project Officer – Vanesa Ahmetgjekaj
Vanesa Ahmetgjekaj holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from Rochester Institution of Technology at Rochester, New York. Before joining our team, Ms. Ahmetgjekaj enriched her professional career by working with different international project management organizations.
Since her engagement at AQH, she is part of the Output 3, mainly facilitating Health Management Trainings with additional active involvement in activities of developing managerial capacities of PHC such as; Supportive Supervision System, Quality Management, Clinical Audits and Peer Reviews".
E-mail: [email protected]
Project Officer – Valid Apuk
Valid Apuk is a postgraduate student from The University of Sheffield and holds an Executive MBA degree in Human Resources Management. Prior to becoming a member of our team, he has worked with several international development organizations in Kosovo including: HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, International Business College Mitrovica (IBC-M), LuxDev, SOS Children’s Village, and Global Communities. Valid is a strong program and project management professional experienced in implementation and leading of activities in economic development & youth employment, education and health sector, gender & minority inclusion field, and human resource development and management.
Valid is involved in the Output 5, focused on patient rights and community feedback on the delivery of PHC services.
Email: [email protected]
Project Officer – Hyrije Rashiti
Hyrije has 20-years’ experience in project and programmme implementation, including working with EU, USAID and DFID programmes in the health, social services, education and justice sectors.
She joined PIU in November 2016 and she is currently working as a Project Officer for Output 6.
E-mail: [email protected]
Finance Manager-Blerta Xhafa
Blerta Xhafa has completed her master studies in the area of Banking and Finance. Currently, she is a PHD Candidate in Economics.
Before working with AQH, Blerta has worked as a Senior Manager in ‘Speeex’ - BPO Solution Provider and as a Brand Manager for Dormeo Kosova. For nearly 6 years she has worked with Community Development Fund (CDF) supporting Kosovo’s health sector. Blerta enriched her career by teaching ‘Accounting’ in the Eastern Mediterrenean University in Northern Cyprus. She has also experience in holding training sessions in the area of Accountant for one of the renowned commercial banks in Kosovo.
As the AQH’s Finance Manager, Blerta works closely with AQH Team Leader and provides financial guidance and support the AQH projects.
E-mail: [email protected]
Project Assistant-Elvira Berisha
Elvira Berisha holds a degree in Journalism and has an extended experience working with media and civil society organizations in Kosovo. For over ten years she has been working for print and broadcast media as a journalist and co-producer.
Elvira was a member of the board of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, where she was responsible for leading and monitoring the implementation of projects aiming to create a safe environment for media in Kosovo. She has also worked with various non-governmental organizations as a communication consultant. Currently she supports the AQH Project team as a Project Assistant.
Email: [email protected]
Administrative Officer - Shqipe Kabashi
Shqipe joined AQH team in September 2020 in the role of Administrative Officer. She has nearly twenty years’ experience working in International Organizations such as: European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo- EULEX and United Nations Mission in Kosovo-UNMIK. Her expertise is related to the area of administration management, procurement and finance. Prior to working with AQH, Ms. Kabashi was responsible for managing large administrative teams and setting up specific administrative systems.
An interesting fact about Shqipe is that she used to teach Chemistry to High school students. She enjoys working in multicultural environments, while finding it a rewarding and fulfilling professional experience. She is bilingual and finds pleasures in learning new languages. Shqipe holds a degree in Chemistry from the University of Prishtina. She is also highly proficient in the field of Information Technology (IT).
Email: [email protected]
Procurement and Logistics Manager– Lirak Kelmendi
Lirak has worked in the areas of procurement and logistics since 2000 and has previously worked with organisations including the Norwegian Red Cross, Care International, The Royal Norwegian Society for Development (Norges Vel) and Save the Children. He joined PIU in April 2016. As well as being responsible for procurement for the PIU office, Lirak also works closely with the Outcome Leads on all aspects of logistics and procurement for the implementation of project activities.
E-mail: [email protected]
Gani Surdulli – Procurement and Logistics Officer
Gani holds a BA in Finance, Control and Administration. He has more than 22 years’ experience working in the areas of Logistics, Procurement, and Administration. Mr. Surdulli has previously worked with organizations like USAID, OXFAM, and Catholic Relief Services.
He joined AQH Project in January 2019, and he is responsible for supporting colleagues on organizing activities related to all aspects of logistics and procurement for the implementation of project activities.
Email: [email protected]
Support Officer – Salih Vehapi
Salih supports PIU to ensure that the logistics and transportation for all of our project activities are in place. He has previously worked with Care Norway and Save the Children and he joined PIU during the inception phase of the project.
E-mail: [email protected]
Support Officer – Artan Berveniku
Artan supports AQH team to ensure that the logistics and transportation for all of our project activities are in place. He has previously worked with international organizations such OSCE Mission in Kosovo for nearly 11 years.
His expertise is related to the area of logistics and fleet management for operational programme delivery.
E-mail: [email protected]