Shqipe Breznica - Country Director
Shqipe Breznica has been running the Help - Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe operation in Kosovo as Country Director since 2015, managing a rather sizable budget. She is responsible for planning and overseeing program development, identifying funding opportunities, establishing partnerships, monitoring progress, and promoting relationship-building among Help and other organizations, agencies, and/or individuals. Shqipe came to this position with a fifteen-year experience in designing and implementing human capacity building programs with a focus on management, leadership, advocacy, human rights, youth development, peace-building, public relations, and private sector development, and over ten-year experience in planning and implementing research projects, including data collection, analysis, and synthesis, as well as in providing training in communication, public relations & marketing, civic participation, and peace-building. Shqipe is a meticulous organizer, coordinator, and advocate for strengthening human capital. She has lived and worked in multi-cultural and diverse environments, such as London, UK, and Washington, DC, for a considerable part of her professional life, an experience that has broadened her perspective and made her a flexible and effective team player. Shqipe has worked in various capacities for Hope Fellowship Program, funded by USAID, The British Council, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Locally, she has served as Member of the Board of Directors of the Public Housing Enterprise in Prishtina, Kosovo, between 2015-2018. She has also initiated and managed a youth initiative supporting orphans in Kosovo. Shqipe holds a master’s degree in Journalism and Communication from the Kosovo Institute for Journalism and Communication, a Professional Development Diploma in An Integrated Approach to Public Relations from London School of Public Relations, in London, UK, Pitman Qualification in Business and Finance from Kensington and Chelsea College, in London, UK, and several professional certifications from domestic and international organizations. She is fluent in Albanian (native), English, and Serbian. Contact: breznica@help-kosovo.org
Butrint Tuzi - Finance & Administration Officer
Butrint Tuzi joined Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe in 2016 after several years of experience managing finances at different levels for national and international banks and other organizations, such as the National Trade Bank of Kosovo, J.S.C., Raiffeisen Bank, etc. In addition, Butrint has worked in different capacities for United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP). As Finance & Administration Officer with Help, Butrint oversees all financial management procedures and relationships on behalf of the organization at the local level to ensure timely and appropriate fulfillment of financial transactions and reporting requirements. In doing so, Butrint maintains effective working relationships with stakeholders in multiethnic and multicultural settings by managing sensitive situations with target audiences. Butrint holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Prishtina and he has completed a number of professional development and training programs both in Kosovo and abroad. He is fluent in Albanian (native), English, and Serbian. Contact: tuzi@help-kosovo.org
Rrezart Shala - Senior Field Officer
Rrezart Shala has an extensive experience in supporting project implementation by managing logistical and financial procedures, carrying out strategic sourcing and supply chain management, including forecasting, budget planning, and inventory control. Rrezart has been supporting Help - Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe activities as a Field Officer since 2016. Much of his work has focused on coordination with municipalities, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders to implement all aspects of grant agreement and execution in compliance with organizational policies and procedures and the local legislation. Rrezart takes a creative approach to working with others and adapts easily to the team dynamics. In his professional experience Rrezart has served as Kosovo Branch Manager for Primus Electronics, Montenegro, as Cash Management Officer for TEB Bank and Raiffeisen Bank, and as Manager of Clean Master, a hygienic products production and sales company that he founded himself. During the Kosovo war in the 1990’s, Rrezart coordinated logistics as part of the emergency relief efforts for the United Nations World Food Program. He has also completed a number of professional trainings and certification programs. Rrezart is fluent in Albanian (native), English, Serbian, and has good proficiency in Turkish. Contact: shala@help-kosovo.org
Valon Hyseni - Monitoring and Training Officer
Valon Hyseni has been overseeing all aspects of implementation of business activities supported by Help - Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe since 2017. Valon’s primary responsibilities as Monitoring and Training Officer are to evaluate and monitor activities, identify the needs and provide training, as well as to coordinate, manage public relations, communication with and small-scale procurement support to clients, with a focus on income-generating activities. Valon holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Iliria University in Prishtina, Kosovo, and has an extensive, thirteen-year experience managing administrative and financial operations in local and international development organizations, such as the Regional Development Agency/RDA Centre, The Royal Norwegian Society for Development/ NORGES VEL, and Norwegian Red Cross/CARE Norway, whereby much of his work has also included close coordination with the European Union Office in Kosovo and the Kosovo government institutions. A motivated and flexible professional and team player, Valon is eager to learn and excel in any new task that he takes on. He is fluent in Albanian (native), English, and Serbian. Contact: hyseni@help-kosovo.org
Andra Mustafa - Senior Field Officer
Andra Mustafa’s professional experience is in project implementation and facilitation at various local and international nongovernmental organizations, having worked on projects supported by the United States government and HELVETAS Swiss Inter-Cooperation. Her work has focused on coordinating grants and financial planning and financial oversight of grants, conducting research and proposals, and increasing skills development for youth and non-majority communities. She also has experience in conducting policy analysis and legal research. Andra joined the Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe team in 2022 as a Senior Field Officer to support field operations with the selection of beneficiaries and execution of grants, conducting procurement as well as with communication and the coordination of partnership with municipalities and the local population in facilitating socio-economic empowerment projects and business development activities. Andra holds a bachelor’s Degree from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT Kosovo) and graduated Magna cum Laude majoring in Public Policy and Governance with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. Andra is not only passionate about policy but also the law. She has worked as Legal Aid for USAID Kosovo Property Rights Program and is currently pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Law at the University of Prishtina. She is fluent in Albanian (native), English, and Bosnian. Contact: mustafa@help-kosovo.org
Marigona Fetahu - Senior Field Officer
Marigona joined the Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe field operations in 2022 as Senior Field Officer to provide support with the selection of beneficiaries and execution of grants, as well as with communication and the coordination of partnership with municipalities and the local population in facilitating and monitoring business development activities. Diligent and an effective multi-tasker, Marigona has successfully managed offices and coordinated work with multiple stakeholders over several years, both domestically and internationally, primarily as it pertains to project implementation and data management. She has worked for several local organizations as well as Amazon (UK), First Assistance (New Zealand), and Child Cancer Foundation (New Zealand). Marigona holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from Dardania University in Prishtina, Kosovo, and a master’s degree in Law from Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. She is fluent in Albanian (native), English, and Turkish. Contact: fetahu@help-kosovo.org
