Dragica Vucinic

Experience

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  University of Novi Sad, The Faculty of Technology

  Dec 1996 - Jan 2000

  Assistant Professor

  Assisted the professor by conducting lectures for fourth-grade university students on the topic of Food Conservation Methodology, incorporating math problems and engineering operations. Provided guidance and instruction to students during laboratory exercises, developed teaching materials, and independently administered and evaluated exams and tests. Conducted literature reviews and analysed relevant data, co-authoring scientific papers published in international academic journals. Fostered effective communication and collaboration with other academic institutions, interdisciplinary research centers, and the private sector. Presented scientific papers at conferences and mentored students in research projects leading to academic degrees or specializations. Organized science conferences with international participation, served on the Faculty Departmental’s Student Exam Board, the Experts' Committee for dairy products evaluation and reward at the International Annual Food Fair Exhibition in Novi Sad. Member of the Editorial Board of the Faculty’s Science Paper “Technology Industry”. Co-authored the students' book “Laboratory analyses in line with EU practices”. Show less

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  Land O'Lakes Ltd. Montenegro, USAID Project

  Jan 2000 - Aug 2002

  Strategic Planning and Education Specialist

  Delivered consultancy services to senior managers in the Montenegrin dairy-food industry regarding strategy and business plan development, as well as designing and conducting training courses, and providing guidance on HACCAP and quality control standards implementation. Fostered rural economic development while safeguarding natural resources and conducted market research to deliver actionable recommendations. Collaborated with academic institutions, local governments, and the private sector to promote standardization of dairy food production in Montenegro's north and south regions. Established the first-ever NGO of national dairy-food producers in Montenegro, titled "National Organization of Dairy Producers in Montenegro". Pioneered the organization of the first national trade fair for promoting crafts and traditional food products to support rural development and empower women [the activity evolved into the national initiative]. Provided technical assistance and advice to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management in drafting the first Law on Organic Production in Montenegro and The Book of Rules: Technology in the Organic Production and Harmonization with the EU legislation. Served as Deputy Finance Manager for the Project Office, by overseeing project budgets and utilizing "Quick Books Basic" software to monitor and review financial utilization and provide corrective measures when necessary. Show less

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  OSCE

  Sept 2002 - now

  Experienced project management professional engaged in transformative security sector reforms. Spearheaded high-impact initiatives in police education and development, accountability, community policing, combating serious and organized crime and border policing. Supported the National Forensic Centre's development and ENFS accreditation. Assisted in the development of the National Strategies on Counterterrorism and Police Development, the National Platform for P/CVERLT, among others. In coordination with TNTD/BSMU oversaw the development of the national API Road Map and Montenegro’s Airport Border Community Security Program. Partnered with Interpol and the Italian Carabinieri to conduct specialized workshops on countering illicit trafficking in cultural property. Provided strategic guidance on gender equality in law enforcement, advising national police on institutional reforms and initiatives. Launched the national campaign "We Are the Power of the Team: For More Women in Policing," driving increased recruitment and institutional support for women in law enforcement. Coordinated the development and implementation of gender and integrity training courses for police in collaboration with DCAF. Initiated Police Reform Progress Assessment and Recommendations Research and Reports (2006-2011&2011-2019). Initiated national public perception surveys on policing in Montenegro (2019, 2020, 2021). Initiated the development of an e-learning platform for police and public officials, expanding access to professional training. Initiated the creation of a mobile police application for citizens, enhancing public engagement and service efficiency. Contributed expertise on behalf of the Mission to the development of Montenegro’s first Cyber Security Strategy. Served as the OSCE Mission’s focal point for police reform, cyber security, and transnational threats. Acted as a Staff Committee Representative. Member of the International Police Organization–Branch Office Montenegro. Show less Supported implementation of the activities related to oversight and management of OSCE BSMU's National Focal Point Network in border security and management (BSM). Coordinated actions for the finalization of the e-learning course on the Gender Equality in BSM. Coordinated communication network related to the finalization of the project on the SEE Police, and Customs Co-operation Centers (PCCCs). Assisted in the closure of the anti-corruption platform project for Moldova and Ukraine. Facilitated efficient communication and coordination within the BSMU team, and with other thematic units in the Secretariat, OSCE field operations, and with respective international partners. Conducted background research and drafted project concepts on specific subjects. Supported Co/TNT and represented the Unit at the FRONTEX's International Border Police Chiefs Conference. Facilitated constructive dialogue with national partners in Montenegro which led to piloting two regional initiatives in the country: the airport security project (The Border Community Security Program was developed), and preventing and addressing illegal trafficking in cultural properties (TCP) and protection of cultural heritage. The latter fueled the country's response to increasing actions in the finalization of the TCP database and legislation framework. Show less Took a lead role in the design, implementation, and coordination of initiatives related to police professionalization and accountability, the fight against serious, organized crime and emerging cross-border threats. Helped to establish the intelligence-led policing model on both central and regional levels in Montenegro and supported efforts to enhance police capabilities to investigate cyber and cyber-enabled crimes. Designed and implemented activities to support the institutional and capacity development of the Forensic Centre, ultimately resulting in its membership in the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) in 2009 and accreditation to ISO/IEC in 2014 and 2020. Provided mentoring and support for the Centre's accreditation activities throughout the region, including the development of forensics evidence training courses for judges and prosecutors. Jointly with DCAF, contributed to the design and development of gender and integrity training curriculum for police, the training of police gender and integrity facilitators, and the monitoring of training execution. Facilitated cross-border meetings and initiatives between police services from Montenegro and the surrounding region. Coordinated and drafted the Programme's input for Programme Outline, Unified Budget Proposal, and Programme Budget Performance Reports, as well as the Annual Report on Police-Related Activities and other written materials. Provided administrative support within the OSCE Integrated Resource Management Administration system, and served as the Gender focal point for the Politico-military dimension from 2015-2017. Additionally, served as the Mission's focal point for Border Security Management since 2010 Show less Collaborated on the development and execution of numerous law enforcement initiatives that included drafting and implementing measures related to police accountability, community policing, police education and training, border security, cross-border cooperation, and combating serious and organized crime. As part of this effort, helped establish the Forensic Centre in Montenegro. Maintained open lines of communication both within and outside the organization to avoid redundancy and enhance efficiency. Conducted thorough research into different aspects of police reform, and formulated recommendations for addressing urgent needs in accordance with the mission's mandate and organizational goals. Spearheaded the organization of the country's inaugural police donors' coordination meeting, an event designed to harmonize and optimize efforts. Developed and facilitated a variety of specialized training programs for police, and produced a range of written materials and recommendations. Managed an electronic library and database, as well as a program recording system. Provided input for PO, UB, and PBPR, and acted as an IRMA Handler. Served as the Mission's point person for OSCE POLIS. Show less

  • Border Management Officer

    Mar 2022 - now

  • National Security Co-operation Officer, Security Co-operation and Governance Programme

    Oct 2016 - Mar 2022

  • Acting Border Adviser

    Sept 2017 - Nov 2017

  • Senior Security Co-operation Programme Assistant

    Jun 2006 - Oct 2016

  • Police Reform Programme Assistant

    Sept 2002 - Jun 2006