Leon Menkshi  

Cell. +355 69 27 34 917  leonmenkshi@yahoo.com  

Over fifteen years of professional experience, sealed by commitment to "communication for development" and broadcast-journalism; valuable expertise in communication strategies, international relations, training, advising and even lecturing as a former Fulbright/Humphrey fellow (recognized by the U.S. Department of State for leadership potential and outstanding achievements as a mid-career professional).  

_____________________________________________PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Project Officer – Helvetas S.I. Albania Sept 2015 – Sept 2016  In charge of communication aspects of RisiAlbania project: drafting and writing all press releases, newsletters, factsheets, leaflets, success stories; also contributing to Monitoring and Result Measurement techniques. (24 hours/week fixed-term contract)    Senior Media Development Assistant – OSCE, Albania Dec 2014 – June 2015  Advice on media development issues, in particular violations of media ethics and best practices. Maintain contacts and attend meetings with all media actors and assist in drafting all written documents produced by the OSCE Presence in Albania - Media Unit. Consultant & Lecturer – Baku, Azerbaijan Aug 2013 – Feb 2014  Provide consultancy and technical assistance for SK Design (as part of GILAN Holding) on matters related to communication strategies, public relations and public image. Also, engaged as a guest lecturer at the “Land of Fire” University (one of the biggest in Baku).   Fulbright / Humphrey Fellow - USA Aug 2012 – June 2013  Pursuing a Communication Research on the New Media at the University of Maryland, USA. Professional affiliations at Voice of America production units - Eurasia Division (January-June), KQED TV station in San Francisco and KTLA Channel in Los Angeles, California.   Senior Journalist / RTSH – Albanian Radio & TV Dec 2004 – July 2012  Monitor the daily international news scene; edit and produce international news stories. Editor and anchor for the main evening news in English and Albanian. Host presenter and commentator on several national and international events televised by RTSH and EBU.    Community Development Coordinator/ MDM May 2003 – June 2004  Promote community development in rural and urban areas of Albania; coordinate the implementation of Médicos del Mundo project activities with regional, national and international organizations. Partake decision making, with regards funding CSO proposals.  

Project Officer / SNV Jan 2001 – Apr 2003  On behalf of the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) advise on public policy implementation and support the interface between CSOs and local government bodies. Design TORs and prepare/deliver trainings. Contribute on report writing.   Chief Editor / “abc” Radio, Albania Feb – Dec 2000  Supervise the staff and coordinate the work among the journalists in the newsroom. Consult and decide the 24/7 broadcasting schedule. Produce a weekly reportage addressing regional aspects of social and economic cohesion in southern Albania.   Host Researcher/ CARE International Aug 1999 – Jan 2000  On behalf of CARE International research aspects of community participation, problem solving and public awareness. Design and implement a media-support strategy (such as media campaigning-events) for raising the citizenry among people and CSOs in Albania.   Program Assistant/ UN WFP March – August 1999  Assist WFP’s operations in southern Albania, during the Kosovo crises. Assist the COD on staff supervision. Facilitate the joint-operations with WFP’s implementing partners. Co-represent UN-WFP on meetings with government authorities and other stake-holder representatives.   Director of Production/ ICT (UK based) Jan 1997 – Dec 1998  Coordinate all feeds for the production of “Illyria” Magazine, and decide its final version (a product of Illyria Commission Trust – ICT, London, UK). Write all editorials for the magazine and supervise the work of journalists and correspondents, at ICT’s UK office.  

___________________________________________________________EDUCATION:   Fulbright/Humphrey Scholar at University of Maryland, USA Aug 2012 – June 2013  Diploma awarded by the dean of Merrill College of Journalism  *Communication Research, New Media and Leadership  +State Department-recognition, signed by President B. Obama & Sec. of State J. Kerry   Radio Netherlands Training Center- Hilversum/The Netherlands Oct – Dec 2014  *Soups for Society/ AV-Productions - short professional master program Radio Netherlands Training Center- Hilversum/The Netherlands Feb – Apr 2009  *Multimedia Journalism Productions - short professional master program Faculty of Journalism & Communication (Utrecht University, Holland) Aug – Dec.1995  *Europe in the World (part I) / DHE – European Masters Program  Credited in May ’96; Majored in EU Journalism & International Affairs  &  The Danish School of Media & Journalism (Aarhus, Denmark) Jan – May.1996  *Europe in the World (part II) / DHE - European Masters Program  Credited in May ’96; Majored in EU Journalism & International Affairs   Polytechnic University (Tirana, Albania) Sep 1988 – June 1993 *Bachelor ~ Mechanical Engineering  Credited in August ’93; Majored in the field of industry   General High-school (Korça-Albania Sep 1984 – June 1988  *High-school Diploma  Credited in June ’98; A-levels in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Literature  

__________________________________________TRAININGS & TRAINING SKILLS:   Trained and certified as a Trainer on several Training of Trainers courses; several end-user-training deliveries on the following topics (also on media related ones), for beneficiaries in Albania and Macedonia.   Strategic Planning and Orientation (TOT)  February 28th-March 2nd 2001  (Delivered by Mr. John Hermes / Netherlands Association of Municipalities   Citizen’s Initiatives in Civil Society (TOT)  April 3rd-5th 2001  (Delivered by Mr. Wilbert Schouten / Netherlands development Organization)   Enhancing the dialogue between Local Government and NGOs (TOT)  September 27th & 28th 2001  (Delivered by John Beauclerk / INTRAC –United Kingdom)   Gender and Development (Advanced TOT)  November 5th-14th 2001  (Delivered by Mrs. Dorine Plantenga / G& D –TC, Haarlem, The Netherlands)   Advocacy and Lobbying (TOT)  March 12th &13th 2002  (Organized by SNV - Compass and delivered by ANTTARC, Tirana)   Municipal Planning and Land Use (TOT)  March 18th-22nd 2002  (Delivered by Mr. Pieter Wiekeraad / Netherlands Association of Municipalities)   Human Resource Management (TOT)  September 18th-20th 2002  (Delivered by Mr. Jim Budds / Netherlands Association of Municipalities)   NGO Management (Tyler-made-training)  October 9th &10th 2003  (Organized by MDM and delivered by Partners Albania, Tirana)   Project Cycle Development (Tyler-made-training)  October 15th -17th 2003  (Organized by MDM and delivered by Partners Albania, Tirana)  

_________________________________________________________PUBLICATIONS:   “Albania out of Isolation” - published in Holland (HVU-magazine) / Oct. ’95;  “Democracy-the Albanian Way”- published in Holland (HVU-magazine) /Nov. ‘95);  “Trouble road to Market Economy” (published in Denmark /Feb ‘96);  “Sweden challenges EU over openness” (published on “Euroviews”* /May ’96);  “A Schengen D36 plane to nowhere” (published on “Euroviews” / May ’96);  “Civil Society in Korça”- a handbook (published in Albania by Kote-Co) /March 2001  “First Dutch City to end Segregated Schools" (published in Holland in March 2009