Ms. Ermonela Xhafa, born on June 2, 1974, is a professional with a rich and diverse career. She completed her secondary education at the general high school “Petro Nini Luarasi” in Tirana, where she distinguished herself with excellent academic results. In 1996, she graduated in Law from the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana, with high achievements. In August 2002, she completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Global Security at the Royal Military College of Science, Cranfield University, Oxfordshire, UK. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Commercial Law at Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy, as well as PhD doctoral studies at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana, Albania.

In July 2024, Ms. Xhafa joined the National Agency of Diaspora.

The National Agency of Diaspora, as an institution under the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, serves as a bridge with the diaspora for the promotion of Albania, its growth and integration into the European Union, as well as Euro-Atlantic cooperation, while also supporting the integration of every Albanian in the diaspora and fostering partnerships with the country of origin.

With over 30 years of experience in the governmental and public sectors, Ms. Xhafa has held several leadership positions at the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defense, as Commissioner at the Ombudsman’s Office, the Agency for Dialogue and Co-Governance, Commissioner of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and as Director of the Agency for the Delivery of Integrated Public Services – Co-Governance (ADISA).

She has also served as an external lecturer in the Departments of Civil Law and Public Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana. She has worked as a trainer in cross-border legal cooperation in civil matters and in human rights for public administration officials, with certifications from the OSCE and ASPA.

Ms. Xhafa has acted as an expert and consultant in numerous projects focused on human rights (women and children), economic issues, and local governance, and has led and moderated many conferences and roundtables on human rights. She has completed a wide range of trainings and specializations both in Albania and abroad in the fields of human rights, the justice system, security issues, international relations, cross-border legal relations, international trade, and related areas.

She has participated in boards, working groups, and commissions; is a member of the National Committee for Mental Health and the Technical Committee on Migration; and has contributed to working groups responsible for drafting strategies in the justice sector, including the Juvenile Justice Strategy, the Public Administration Strategy, and the Anti-Corruption Strategy. She has also served as Deputy Chair of the working group for Priority 2.

Ms. Xhafa has experience as a representative in several Albania–EU subcommittees and as part of the technical staff of the EU–Albania High-Level Dialogue. She has also served as the Ministry of Justice coordinator for initiatives and policies on preventive anti-corruption measures, and has been involved with the member states of the Hague Conference and EUROJUST.

She was the project leader of the EU–Albania Twinning Project “Improvement of the Enforcement System in Albania” and a member of the Negotiating Working Group for Albania–EU European Integration on Public Administration Reform (PAR), serving as a focal point for the “Delivery Services” pillar.

She is the author of numerous publications, research studies, and scientific articles in legal journals, and has participated as a lecturer in many trainings, conferences, and seminars at both national and international levels.

Ms. Xhafa has an excellent command of English and Italian and a good knowledge of German.