Lina Brandt - Team Leader
Ms. Lina Brandt is a public health expert with extensive experience in international public health project management, health systems strengthening and research-to-policy engagement across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. She has worked on donor-funded projects supported by GIZ, the EU and Gavi, with responsibilities spanning project coordination, compliance, monitoring and evaluation, policy research and stakeholder engagement. Her technical experience also includes quantitative and qualitative data analysis and expert consultancy assignments in the field of training and capacity building as well as monitoring and evaluation. She has contributed to projects in Lebanon, Mozambique, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Lao PDR, working across diverse health systems and institutional contexts. Within SOLIDAR, she serves as Team Leader.
Filip Vila - Outcome 1 Lead for Health Emergency System Strengthening
Dr. Filip Vila is the appointed Outcome Leader for Health Emergency Services. He is a medical doctor and holds a master’s degree in Management and Organisation of Institutions and Health Services. Over the past seven years, as Director of Social Services, Housing and Public Health at the Municipality of Shkodra, he has gained substantial experience in public health, primary healthcare and social services at municipal level. His experience includes the organisational development of primary healthcare centers and the restructuring of public health and social service systems. He also brings expertise in health emergency management and in capacity building for health professionals and administrative staff. Through his work in the public sector and development cooperation projects, Dr. Vila has established strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders at both central and local levels. Within SOLIDAR, he leads Outcome 1 on Health Emergency Services.
Ervin Toçi - Outcome 2 Lead for Health Emergency System Strengthening
Dr. Ervin Toçi is the appointed Outcome Leader for Emergency Medical Services. He is a medical doctor with an International Master's in Public Health. His professional experience combines public health, epidemiology, health information systems, research and academic teaching. He has led the Integrated Health Information Sector at the Institute of Public Health and works as a full-time lecturer at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine in Tirana. For approximately two years, he served as Albania’s National Correspondent to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Dr. Toçi has participated in numerous national and international research projects implemented by the Institute of Public Health and other relevant stakeholders and has served as an expert evaluator for the Health and Social Care Quality Assurance Agency. His core areas of expertise include public health, epidemiology, statistics and research methods. He holds the academic title of Associate Professor. Within SOLIDAR, he leads Outcome 2 on Emergency Medical Services.
Mirela Çela – Deputy Team Leader and Outcome 3 Lead for Community Resilience Strengthening
Dr. Mirela Cela is a medical doctor specialised in Psychiatry and holds a master’s degree in Psychiatry and a PhD in Neuroscience. Her professional experience combines clinical practice, public health, healthcare quality and accreditation, policy development and academic teaching. She began her career in community-based primary healthcare services before practising as a psychiatrist at the Mother Teresa Psychiatric Hospital. For more than a decade, she has worked on healthcare quality,patient safety and accreditation in Albania, including as Head of the Patient Safety, Risk Management and Patient Rights Sector and subsequently as Director of the National Center for Quality and Accreditation of Health Institutions. She has contributed to the development of national strategies, standards and clinical protocols and has collaborated with international organisations including UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Dr. Cela also has extensive teaching experience at the University of Tirana and other universities in areas including mental health, community rehabilitation, healthcare ethics, health policy and clinical psychology. Since 2023, she has served as Deputy Team Leader and Outcome 3 Lead within SOLIDAR, focusing on community engagement and resilience in emergency preparedness and response.
Evis Sferdelli - Finance and Administration Manager
Ms Evis Sferdelli serves as Finance and Administration Manager and is also the Coordinator of the GFA branch in Albania. She brings many years of experience in procurement and financial management. Her responsibilities draw on a broad understanding of financial management principles,procurement processes and budget compliance, supporting financially responsible decision-making in line with project and procurement requirements. She also has substantial experience in stakeholder coordination and negotiation, including the assessment of different positions and options to support agreed procurement objectives.
Drilona Topi - Office Manager
Ms. Drilona Topi is an Environmental Engineer by training and holds a master’s in Environmental Management. She has experience in administrative and executive support and provides office management support to the SOLIDAR project team. Her academic background and organizational experience contribute to the effective administration and day-to-day functioning of the project office.
Igli Baxhaja - Logistics Assistant & Driver
Mr. Igli Baxhaja joined the SOLIDAR team in April 2024. A nurse by training, he transitioned into logistics and operational support in the late 1990s. His experience includes coordinating staff transport as well as providing logistical support for project events. He supports event preparation and on-site logistics, including the transport and distribution of training materials, room set-up, participant guidance and coordination with hotels, venues, service providers and local partners. He is also experienced in maintaining vehicles in safe and operational condition through regular checks, cleaning, servicing and accurate logbook management. Mr. Baxhaja brings strong interpersonal and customer-service skills and extensive experience supporting international guests and multicultural teams. Within SOLIDAR, he provides reliable and flexible transport and logistical support and works closely with the project team to respond to changing schedules and operational requirements.
