Novica Nakov Email & Phone Number

Oslo, No

Oslo, Norway

Working on improving data pipelines, workflows, and dissemination of results, and managing, building, and sharing data products using primarily Azure, Databricks, and Posit Team.

I work mostly through Upwork. Project details and feedback can be seen at: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0191f82f8f72c3ce10

I have worked in the Macedonian private sector since finishing my Bachelor degree in Economics.I started as a junior accountant working on Invoicing and Accounts Receivable at Trgotekstil ZS AD, a commercial real estate company based in Skopje. Since 2005 I have advanced working at different levels at the company, being responsible for number of things: from introducing computers at the company to making VAT statements and end-of-year financial reports. My current position is with the management as head of accounting and finance. My responsibilities also include negotiating contracts with clients, and legal affairs regarding outstanding invoices.I introduced the company to the digital age: When I started the company didn't use any computers. I moved the company to computer-based accounting system. I designed Excel documents for invoices, bookkeeping, and reporting. I established e-banking, and e-services for reporting to the public revenue agency and statistics office. I trained employees to use computers.I expanded the company's business into new field: The company main source or revenue is rent. I established an additional stream by offering accounting and finance services.

I implemented a new accounting and finance software for the companyand compiled documentation on day to day operations with the software.I trained the person responsible day to day operations to use the software.I provided ongoing support and implementations of new functions as they become necessary.

I have been involved with localization of free and opens source software since at least 2003. I have been contributing to L10N in the Mozilla project the longest, translating and coordinating the Macedonian language team. As part of the wider local community I have co-organized various localization efforts for volunteers, and programs for students. This experience has given me a great insight into what makes a localization project succeed, and what steps are needed to accomplish a higher quality software localization, especially in issues like harmonizing the language to provide consistent language throughout various applications, and negotiate personal goals of people translating with wider implications of the project. I have written extensively on the importance of localized software (although most of the text is in Macedonian).From the technical side of things, this experience has also helped me learn tools such as gettext, git, and various GUI applications for translating.

Gathering input from stakeholders and drafting the text for the National policy for free software in the Republic of Macedonia.

The first TEDx event in Skopje was a project and event I developed after spending too many hours watching TED talks in 2009. I used the usual social media tools to reached out to the public, organize a team of people and get everyone working together for a successful event in October 2010.

Free Software Macedonia is a non-profit organization dedicated to Free software as in freedom in Republic of Macedonia. I served as president for four years working with stakeholders in the country that had interest in free software, organizing events, workshops, community meetups, and talks and presentations, talking to media and managing the finances of the NGO. I was involved with the NGO before 2005 and remained involved since albeit in different capacities. More at http://freesoftware.org.mk.

Member of the Project Adivsory Board for UNDP FYR Macedonia Project “Support to e-Governance initiatives based on Free/Open Source Software at the local level in FYR Macedonia”.

Worked on the deployment and testing of the e-University software for the European Credit Transfer System and held training in using the application for the end-users from the faculty staff at the Faculty of Philosophy at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.

Master’S Degree, Mres Human Rights And International Politics, Distinction

Ma, International Relations And Conflict Resolution

B.Sc., Economics

My graduation paper was in Economic Planning: “The Macedonian Software Industry: Government's Role and Possibilies for Development”