She joined the UNFPA Country Office of the Republic of North Macedonia as a Sexual and Reproductive Health & Youth Program Analyst in 2013. She has an advanced degree in medicine and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in financial management. Her work entails the design, management and oversight of programs addressing national priority issues in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other global and regional development initiatives.
In addition to her work in the country, she was a resource person in the region providing on-the-job training and knowledge development guidance to other offices and the regional office. She completed a Detail Assignment on Resource Mobilization and Strategic Partnerships in the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia in 2020 and has participated in several Missions in the region and beyond.
Before joining UNFPA, she worked for USAID for over 15 years and brings a vast experience in managing programs in the field of health, local governance and environment. She also was a principal adviser to the Minister of Local Self-Government for issues related to IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes and decentralization.
She contributed to the establishment of several successful national and regional partnerships with multiple stakeholders – governmental, non-governmental, donors, private sector etc.
Ms. Shalja is a national of the Republic of North Macedonia and is fluent in English, Macedonian, Albanian and Turkish, as well as other languages spoken in the region.
