Anna joined the IIJ in September 2024 as the Programme Assistant for the Academic Unit (AU). She is supporting the anglophone courses offered by the AU. Prior to joining the IIJ, Anna worked in the field of migration, asylum and resettlement for the EU in Malta and Turkey as well as for the German Federal Office for Migration in Germany. Before her work in the field of migration, Anna worked for the UNICEF Somalia office, the UNICEF Uruguay office, and different international NGOs in the field of donor relations and project management. She holds a BA in European Studies, conducted in The Netherlands and Mexico, as well as a MA in European Studies and International Relations studied in Istanbul, Berlin and Nice. She is enthusiastic about working in the field of human rights, justice, and capacity building initiatives.

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.

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.

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.

Mo joined the Academic Unit team in August 2021. Mo is currently completing a master’s degree in International Humanitarian Action at the University of Malta. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Calgary in Canada. Most recently, Mo completed an internship with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the International Commission on Missing Persons, and the International Organization for Migration. Mo has five years of experience as an Operations Supervisor in Logistics and Supply Chain and many experiences in humanitarian and volunteer work with a number of NGOs, such as the Red Cross and Jesuit Refugee Services in Malta, Canada and the United States.