Biography
Since graduating from Vilnius University with a Master's degree in Economics in 1983, Viktorija has been working in the fields of analysis, audit, budget, controls, evaluation, finance, resources management, risk management, and politics. Her background also includes: policy development and analysis, strategic management planning and analysis, procurement, technical and report writing, public relations, personnel administration, training and organisational development, etc.
Before joining the European Commission (EC), Viktorija held various professional and managerial positions at the Lithuanian public and private organisations in the fields of Economics and Finance (1983-1994) and at the international organisations in the fields of Audit, Inspection, and Investigation: Auditor with Coopers & Lybrand (1994) and Auditor, Inspector, Investigator at the United Nations (1995-2007).
She joined the DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the European Commission in March 2007 as Director responsible for audit, controls and evaluation and coordination the relationships with OLAF, focusing on irregularities and fraud detection and prevention. In 2009, she became a Director responsible for programming and implementation of the European Social Fund (ESF) operational budget and for coordination of the ESF support to Member States' national policies in the field of employment, social protection, and social inclusion.
In 2011, the Director General appointed Viktorija his Principal Adviser to provide strategic analysis and advice on issues within DG EMPL mission and mandate, internal controls system, business continuity and risk management, and simplification and structural changes. She has been assigned as Internal Controls Coordinator and Principal Risk Manager for DG EMPL; President of the Committee on Contracts; Chair of Task Force on rationalization of financial management of the 70 billion Euros programme budget executed through centralized, decentralised, joint, and shared, with the EU Member States and candidate countries, management, and Coordinator for four DG EMPL decentralised agencies.
Mrs Viktorija Smatko-Abaza is a Mentor at the Association of the Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the Institute of Forensic Auditors (IFA), the International Public Management Network (IPMN), and the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM). She holds five professional certifications: Certified Fraud Examiner, Registered Forensic Auditor, Certificate in Retirement Plans, Certificate in Negotiation Skills and Certificate in Dynamics at Board-Level. Viktorija has participated and has run the leadership couching and training courses at the EU institutions, conferences and seminars all over the world.
.png){kind=small}