Melvin Abela joined the IIJ with a strong background in event management and operations. He brings several years of experience working with some of Malta’s leading companies, where he was responsible for the planning and execution of corporate events, including conferences, seminars, and team-building activities.

In addition to event coordination, he has developed expertise in budgeting, preparing quotations, managing invoicing processes, and handling purchase orders, ensuring smooth and efficient operations from planning through to delivery.

He has recently completed a course in Facility and Management and is currently pursuing a Diploma in Leadership and Management to further enhance his professional skills and broaden his capabilities within the industry.

Albana joined the IIJ in 2024. Her previous work experience includes working as a legal assistant for the OSCE, Programme Associate at the UNHCR, Project Coordinator with World Vision, and Project Manager for a multi-partner EU-funded grant in Kosovo. Throughout her diverse career background she accumulated extensive experience in programme support, project coordination, and management with various institutions. Albana holds dual master’s degrees in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance from the University of Padua and in International Cooperation and Development from the Catholic University, Milan.

Zaha joined the IIJ as a Communications Assistant in 2024, she is a dedicated professional in design thinking and communications strategies. She holds a BA degree in Product Design from Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy. She is passionate about women empowerment, human rights, and equality. Prior to joining the IIJ, Zaha worked in design and community management between Italy and the Middle East.

Fares joined the IIJ as a Programme Assistant in 2024, he is a dedicated professional in International Development, Public Diplomacy and Capacity Development. Holding a Master’s degree in Diplomacy from MEDAC-University of Malta and a Master’s in Process Engineering from the University of Boumerdes in Algeria, he brings more than 10 years of expertise to his role. Fares previously worked as an Administrator II at the University of Malta.

In addition, he served as the Local Engagement Coordinator of the TechGirls Program with the Legacy International. He also worked as a Grants Officer for World Learning and as a Capacity Development Specialist for various NGOs and youth empowerment initiatives.

Justin joined the IIJ in June 2023. His professional experience spans both the public and private sectors in several varied roles, having experience working as a Police Officer in Malta and training with the British Armed Forces in Scotland.
His most recent position was Operations Manager with a private company where he was responsible for all logistics, HR, and strategizing process improvements. Prior to this, he also worked with a private intelligence company based in the UK where he was tasked with processing raw intelligence from various OSINT sources and researching and writing reports on human trafficking and arms smuggling in the Mediterranean and Caucasus regions.
Justin also held various positions within the fields of recruitment, HR, and sales with both local and international companies.
Justin has both a Master’s degree in Global Security: Strategy and Defense from the University of Glasgow and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Malta. He also holds certificates in the Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism.

Hollie joined the IIJ team on April 2023 , and has been appointed as Financial Assistant within the IIJ Accounting team. Hollie got her start in the accounting industry in 2016 while also doing her studies for the ACCA Diploma. During her work experiences throughout the years Hollie has learned and advanced her accounting skills while always growing, evolving, and never saying no to new tasks at hand. Prior to joining the IIJ team within her 7-year working experience Hollie worked both in a Law Firm and a Pharmaceutical company having gained exposure to the Law Industry with working closely to Lawyers and their appointed clients, while on the other hand being exposed to the Pharmaceutical Industry. This made up for a broad and diverse working experience.

Karl joined the IIJ team in February 2023. Karl has a diverse background in administration, data protection, security service, and law enforcement. His most recent position as a Manager of Data Protection and Administration within a government entity demonstrates his experience in managing confidential information and ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

Prior to that, Karl held the role of Operations Manager within the security services industry, indicating his ability to manage complex operations and maintain a high level of security. His previous experience as a police officer with the Malta Police Force further highlights his ability to handle high-pressure situations and his knowledge of law enforcement procedures.

Karl’s educational background includes a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Suffolk, which provides him with a strong foundation in business management principles and practices. Overall, Karl’s diverse skill set, and experience make him a valuable asset to the IIJ team in his role as an Administrative Officer.

Kyra joined the IIJ team as a Human Resources Officer in October 2022. Prior to joining the IIJ, Kyra worked as a Senior Manager of Human Resources, Training, and Administration within a government entity forming part of the Office of the Prime Minister in Malta. Prior to that, Kyra held the role of HR, Logistics, and Purchasing Manager within the manufacturing industry. Kyra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Malta and is currently reading for a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Training from the University of Leicester.

Robert joined the IIJ in August 2022 as a Programme Assistant and supports the design, implementation, and analysis of various IIJ capacity-building programmes. Robert brings extensive experience in events management through his previous role in the Maltese hospitality sector.

Quentin joined the IIJ in October 2022 as the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Manager. He is responsible for developing, designing, and implementing the Institute’s M&E Strategy. Previously, he served at the European Judicial Training Network as Head of Office, supervising the grants’ full life cycle and institutional negotiations with the European Union, overseeing the operations pertaining to judicial training activities life cycle, coordinating the activities of the Network’s governance board, bolstering the corporate strategy, institutional partnerships and internal processes.

Quentin brings to the IIJ 17 years of experience in managerial functions in the judicial training field and proof-records in successful grants, judicial training projects, and capacity-building actions throughout their full life cycle, from the needs analysis phase through the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation practices of knowledge sharing activities. He holds a degree in Political Science from Louvain and Executive Master in Management from Solvay University in Belgium.

Gulmira McHale joined the IIJ in August 2024 as the Resource Mobilisation Manager. She brings more than twenty years of experience as a senior officer at the United Nations and the Bretton Woods Institutions (World Bank and International Monetary Fund). Gulmira has provided policy advice on legal and regulatory reform, innovative financing and investment lending, prepared capacity development programs for governments across Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, South and East Asia. She has facilitated fundraising and strategic dialogue with sovereign and non-sovereign donors, managed externally funded facilities and trust funds and she led replenishment and partnerships teams, respectively.

Prior to her career at the United Nations, World Bank and IMF, Gulmira spent seven years working as a Senior Attorney with US and UK law firms and as a Senior Counsel with the European Union and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She is a member of the New York Bar and holds a JD, LLM, and Ph.D. in Law.