Elene Grigolia

Experience

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  National Agency of Public Registry

  Aug 2013 - now

  World Bank "Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land" Project (GRAIL)• Lead the execution and delivery of Sub-component 2.2 of the GRAIL Project, managing a $10M budget and a team of up to 60 people.• Lead the Project Implementing Unit (PIU) in work planning, budgeting and financial planning and reporting, ensuring compliance with audit requirements, procurement, project implementation, personnel and logistics, in accordance with the project loan agreement and World Bank procedures.• Lead the end-to-end implementation of NSDI design, including the in-house development of the NSDI National Portal, ensuring seamless integration and collaboration across institutional stakeholders.• Lead the development of a Smart Contract, the first service of its kind globally, driving end-to-end digital transformation of traditional property transaction processes, resulting from a complex collaboration involving legal experts, bankers, IT professionals, and government authorities. Awarded "Most Successful IT Innovation" at GITI 2023.• Lead the end-to-end digital modernization of NAPR's cadastre and property registration systems (IPRS), including six key components such as 3D cadastre and the Address Registry, all developed in-house.• Drive Agile transformation and oversee in-house development using JIRA, Confluence, and Slack for efficient workflows and team collaboration.• Actively engaging in experience sharing, showcasing project achievements, and facilitating the exchange of best practices with international counterparts.• Represent NAPR in local and international workshops, study tours, and conferences.• Country (Georgia) Representative, FIG Commission 7. (Cadastre and Land Management).• Country (Georgia) Representative, Global Land Agenda Multistakeholder Steering Group (SG).• Speaker at 20+ international conferences and workshops, including FIG, World Bank Land Conference, LANDNET, EBRD, ADB, etc. Show less World Bank "Irrigation and Land Market Development" Project (GILMDP)• Led the execution and delivery of Component 2 of the GILMD Project, managing an $11M budget and a team of up to 250 people.• Led the Project Implementing Unit (PIU) in work planning, budgeting, financial management and reporting, ensuring compliance with audit requirements, procurement policies, and World Bank procedures.• Led the digital transformation of the Systematic Land Registration (SLR) process, overseeing the development and implementation of the E-Minutes application, which reduced data processing time by 50%, enabled real-time communication with residents, and resulted in a 70% decrease in remeasurement applications,. • Redefined, tested, and institutionalized policies and procedures for the SLR process, ensuring operational efficiency and a sustainable legal and procedural framework.• Delivered significant land registration outcomes, with 178,000 land parcels (180,000 ha) recorded in pilot areas, benefiting 82,482 individuals, of whom 48% are female rights holders.• Initiated and managed the transition from external surveying to in-house expertise, expanding NAPR's surveying capacity from zero to 720 surveyors (including 20% female surveyors).• Collaborated with key stakeholders, including government agencies, municipalities, and technical teams.• Achieved the Project Development Objective (PDO), leading to the development of improved policies, procedures, and systems as the foundation for a national land management framework.• The World Bank's Implementation Completion and Results Report (ICR) rated the project component 2 outcome as high, stating that "the project far exceeded expectations on land registration" and the SLR model now serves as a benchmark for other countries.• Supported GoG in planning and launching the National Rollout for Systematic Land Registration Reform in Georgia. Show less • Played a key role in making Georgia the first country to introduce Blockchain technology in public services.• Participated in the ideation, prototyping, user testing, and implementation of Blockchain technology in land registration systems.• Applied systems thinking to analyze the legal and governance framework for Blockchain implementation, using strategic and human-centered approaches to develop policy recommendations for its adoption.• Facilitated cross-sector collaboration and engaged with local and international partners to support the implementation and adoption of Blockchain technology. Show less Tbilisi Municipal Property Digitalization and Mapping Project• Led the execution and delivery of $1M budget project, managing a team of up to 50 people to digitalize Tbilisi City Hall's real estate assets.• Managed work planning, budgeting, financial planning, and reporting, ensuring full compliance with the agreement signed between Tbilisi City Hall and NAPR.• Oversaw the measurement and surveying of immovable property, including internal building measurements, ensuring accurate data collection and visualization.• Led the development of 3D property models and 360-degree panoramic imaging, enhancing visualization and accessibility of municipal assets.• Managed the development of an electronic search engine for immovable property, integrating 20,000 real estate assets with cadastral maps, information cards, 3D models, and panoramic photos.• Oversaw the implementation of an interactive property database, ensuring that each asset was linked to relevant extracts and maps, allowing for seamless integration with other electronic platforms.• Coordinated cross-functional teams, including surveyors, GIS specialists, and IT developers, to successfully deliver a comprehensive digital property management system.• Collaborated with government agencies and technical experts to align the project with municipal governance and urban planning objectives. Show less • Deputy Head of Administration / Head of Working Groups (2013–2014): Led interagency coordination on land policy reforms, managed legal frameworks, and oversaw cadastral system development.• Senior Legal Counsel (2014–2015): Provided legal advisory on administrative proceedings, drafted legal opinions, and contributed to land governance policy development.• Senior Litigator (2015–2017): Led litigation strategies and represented the agency in land registration and property disputes within the court system. Show less

  • Project Manager & Delivery Lead, World Bank GRAIL Project

    Oct 2023 - now

  • Project Manager & Delivery Lead World Bank GILMD Project

    Feb 2017 - Sept 2023

  • Blockchain Implementation Contributor

    Feb 2016 - Sept 2020

  • Project Manager, PMO

    Aug 2019 - Aug 2020

  • Legal Professional in Land Registration & Land Law

    Aug 2013 - Feb 2017
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  UNDP

  Aug 2018 - Dec 2018

  International Consultant | Blockchain Regulation

  • Analyzed best international practices in blockchain regulation for cadastre and property registration, focusing on Georgia, Ukraine, Sweden, Malta, and Belarus.• Identified and evaluated legal barriers to implementing blockchain in public service delivery and property registration.• Developed policy recommendations and outlined best practices for overcoming regulatory challenges.• Prepared a comprehensive report summarizing findings, legal assessments, and strategic recommendations. Show less

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  EBRD

  Apr 2019 - Jul 2019

  Intern

  Office of General Counsel (OGC), Legal Transition Team (LTT) • Researched and analyzed digital transformation trends in EBRD-invested economies, assessing regulatory challenges and opportunities.• Examined the legal and policy frameworks for Blockchain, Smart Contracts, Regulatory Sandboxes, Crowdfunding, and P2P transactions, identifying key enablers for financial and technological innovation.• Supported EBRD countries of operation with up-to-date insights on technology trends and regulatory developments.• Participated in meetings and discussions with different stakeholders in EBRD countries of operation, engaging on digital finance, fintech regulations, and emerging technology policies. Show less

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  Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

  Jul 2019 - Dec 2019

  Short-Term Legal Consultant (STC)

  GIZ & FAO Collaboration – Legal Approximation towards European Standards & Gender-Equitable Land Tenure• Conducted a country profile study and reviewed Georgian legislation using the FAO Legal Assessment Tool (LAT) for gender-equitable land tenure.• Assessed the alignment of Georgia's legal framework with international standards on women's land rights under SDG Target 5a.• Provided legal analysis and recommendations to support policy reforms for strengthening gender equality in land tenure.• Prepared a detailed report summarizing findings, legal assessments, and recommendations for policy improvements Show less

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  Ministry of Justice of Georgia

  Sept 2019 - Dec 2020

  Project Coordination Officer

  “Exploring the potential of using distributed ledger technology (DLT) to improve government services in Georgia” (financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) EBRD. • Designated by the First Deputy Minister of Justice as the Coordination Officer under EBRD Technical Assistance (TA) Project, overseeing collaboration between the EBRD Legal Transition Team, international consulting firm Verum Capital, and public legal entities under the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.• Supported the exploration of Blockchain applications for public services, contributing to the DLT roadmap for government service modernization, and participated in policy discussions and strategic planning for DLT adoption in governmental service delivery.• Led the development of the report "Exploring the Potential of Using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to Improve Government Services in Georgia," published in Georgian and English. Show less

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  Grigol Robakidze University

  Oct 2021 - Sept 2022

  Invited Lecturer

  Delivered the course "Innovation Law," exploring legal frameworks, emerging technologies, and their impact on governance, business, and digital transformation.

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  Caucasus University

  Sept 2022 - Sept 2023

  Invited Lecturer

  Delivered the course "Management Theory and Practice," covering leadership, organizational behavior, emotional intelligence, and change management, with a focus on agile decision-making, transformative leadership, and innovation-driven management strategies in modern organizations.

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  Land Equity International Pty Ltd

  Jan 2023 - now

  Associate

  • Contribute to business growth and strategic planning, including sector intelligence sharing, networking, and marketing.• Support mutually beneficial projects, business planning, and other key organizational development activities.• Participated in a three-week study visit to Australia (2023), engaging with the Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures and Land Administration (CSDILA), University of Melbourne, and Land Use Victoria to exchange knowledge on land administration innovations.• Delivered a presentation at the University of Melbourne, sharing key insights from Georgia’s Land Reform experience, with a focus on blockchain and AI-driven solutions for improving data accuracy and modernizing land registration. Show less

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  National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement

  Aug 2024 - now

  Authorization and Accreditation Expert

  • Conduct field evaluations and review institutional capabilities in Project Management, Public Administration, Digital Governance, and IT Governance programs.• Draft detailed assessment reports and provide recommendations to enhance program quality, curriculum relevance, and alignment with industry and public sector needs.• Ensure compliance with national and international accreditation standards while promoting best practices in digital governance and IT governance education.• Support the development of academic policies and governance frameworks to strengthen higher education institutions in Georgia. Show less