Her key responsibilities include strategic leadership, developing operational systems and compliance frameworks, managing budgets, and supporting organisational development initiatives.
Before joining BIRN, Merima held several senior roles in international NGOs, primarily with the Danish Refugee Council. She served as its Regional Finance Manager for the East Africa and Great Lakes region, Finance Coordinator for Emergency Response in Türkiye, and Support Services Manager in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In these roles, she gained extensive experience in financial management, compliance, HR processes and operational leadership across multiple countries. Earlier in her career, she worked in banking and financial services, which strengthened her expertise in financial analysis.
Merima studied Accounting and Audit Management at the University of Zenica. She has also completed various professional training courses, including People Management, Accounting and Business Analysis at eCornell University. In addition to her native Bosnian, she speaks English fluently and basic German.