Nice to meet you

About Me

A dedicated development sector professional with 7+ years bridging nutrition science, youth advocacy, and community transformation.

Professional Summary

A development sector professional with years of experience in education, training, and campaign management. Proven roles include teacher, training facilitator (THP, IID), research assistant, IID fellow, learner mobilizer, and currently a campaign officer. Skilled in team management and initiative-driven work, and committed to continuous learning to drive impact and influence policy.

My work spans diverse sectors—education, public health, community development, and policy advocacy—united by a commitment to creating meaningful, evidence-based impact for underserved communities, particularly youth and maternal health beneficiaries.

7+

Years Experience

150+

Youth Mobilized

10+

Programs Facilitated

Professional Experience

Campaign Officer

Sept 2024 – Feb 2025

BYLC – USAID Funded Project (BIJOYEE)

  • Led monthly youth advocacy campaigns (3 local, 1 mass) across online and offline platforms.
  • Managed campaign operations, budgets, and community engagement efforts.
  • Strengthened partnerships with NGOs, DYD, and government bodies; organized 3 Pouroshava meetings and a MoU signing event.
  • Coordinated National Youth Day celebration and facilitated 4 capacity-building training sessions.

Learner Mobilizer

Mar 2024 – Jun 2024

BYLC – USAID Funded Project (BIJOYEE)

  • Built strong community relations and ensured inclusive trainee enrollment through coordinated outreach.
  • Mobilized 150 youth and conducted area mapping in Gazipur.
  • Organized 6 stakeholder meetings, 1 public roundtable, and 1 internal employee discussion.
  • Supported team capacity-building and program monitoring and ensured gender & child protection policy alignment.

Fellow – Youth for Policy

Dec 2023 – Feb 2024

IID (Institute of Informatics and Development)

  • Efforts were made to improve education in the Bede community through collaboration with local youth, government, and teachers.
  • Meetings were facilitated, reports were provided, and plans were adjusted for greater impact.

Lead Nutritionist – GDM Project

Feb 2023 – Nov 2023

Public Health Foundation Bangladesh

  • Conducted data collection and analysis for gestational diabetes research.
  • Prepared nutritional plans, counseled patients, and supported ongoing patient follow-ups.

Intern – Nutritionist

Jan 2023 – Jan 2023

Ad-din Hospital

  • Assisted in nutrition-focused research projects, including data collection, entry, and analysis.

Partnership Manager

Jan 2020 – Dec 2022

Nirvoy Foundation

  • Led community management efforts, organized nutrition camps.
  • Coordinated outreach programs to promote health awareness and well-being in underserved areas.

Lecturer

Jan 2018 – Dec 2019

Aounkur Pre-Cadete High School

  • Taught science subjects to students in grades 9 and 10, ensuring effective classroom management and academic support.

Education

M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition Science

Akij College of Home Economics, University of Dhaka

Session: 2020–2021

Passed: 2022

CGPA: 3.32 / 4.00

B.Sc. in Food and Nutrition Science

Akij College of Home Economics, University of Dhaka

Session: 2017–2018

Passed: 2021

CGPA: 3.74 / 4.00

Training & Workshops

Associate Trainer Training – Global Platform Bangladesh

Loss & Damage Workshop – ICCCAD

Youth Leadership & Life Skills Training – CWFD & UNFPA (4 days, 2023)

Youth Activist & Leadership Training (ToF) – The Hunger Project (2023)

Training of Trainers: Youth-led Climate Action – ActionAid & British Council (Nov 2023)

Youth-led Climate Action Training – Global Platform Bangladesh (July 2023)

Youth Policy Facilitator Training – IID (2023)

Freedom Fellows Training – Preneur Lab (4 days)

Certifications & Training Completion

Professional certificates from advanced training programs in social movements, community organizing, and youth leadership.

Key Achievements & Awards

Best Student Award – First Class Honors in five departments; awarded university scholarships five times.

Best Debater Award – Gazipur District.

Best Social Action Project Award by Birth Council Bangladesh at the Lead Bangladesh Summit.

Presented youth-led climate action projects at a National Conference by ActionAid Bangladesh & British Council.

Core Competencies & Skills

Core Competencies

Youth Advocacy & Campaign ManagementCommunity Mobilization & Stakeholder EngagementTraining Facilitation & Capacity BuildingNutrition Research & Patient CounselingPolicy Advocacy & Education DevelopmentPartnership Development (NGOs, Government, DYD)Event Organization & Program CoordinationData Collection, Analysis & ReportingGender & Child Protection Policy ComplianceClassroom Teaching & Academic Support

Soft Skills

Team ManagementInitiative-Driven LeadershipPublic Speaking & DebateCross-Sector CollaborationContinuous Learning

Professional References

Sakib Ahmed

Deputy Manager, Training Social Compliance

BRAC

Sakib.ahmed@brac.net

Ariful Islam

Program Officer

ActionAid Bangladesh

Ariful.islam@actionaid.org

Professional Recommendations

Formal letters of recommendation from colleagues and supervisors across diverse organizations and initiatives.

Dedicated Partnership Professional

Nirvoy Foundation

Partnership Manager (Jan 2020 - Dec 2022)

This is to certify that Ms. Sharna Akter worked for the Nirvoy Foundation as a Partnership Manager from January 2020 to December 2022. During the period of her service, she has shown consistency, demonstrated dedication, professionalism, and a strong ability to foster and maintain meaningful partnerships. Her commitment to work, combined with her sincere and approachable nature, made her a valued member of our team. We wish her, every success in life.

Md. Ariful Islam

Founder and Executive Director

October 19, 2025

Inspiring Youth Trainer & Facilitator

ActionAid Bangladesh

Associate Trainer

This is to certify that Ms. Sharna Akter was part of the associate trainers pool of Global Platform Bangladesh (GPB), a capacity development hub of ActionAid Bangladesh. During her role as an associate trainer, Ms. Akter supported trainings like Shopnojaya, Youth-led climate action, GOLD, CyberShield etc. She supported lead trainers in training preparations, training organizations, facilitations as well as to the follow-up activities after the training, ensuring smooth and effective learning experiences for participants. In addition, Ms. Akter was also supported in different events at Global Platform Bangladesh, where her teamwork, dedication, and organizational skills were commendable. Throughout her engagement, she proved herself to be a hardworking, reliable, and resourceful professional, committed to support young people towards empowerment and positive change. And I believe, she will continue to excel in any future endeavours she undertakes. I therefore would recommend Ms. Sharna Akter for any suitable opportunities that aligns with her expertise, experience and aspirations.

Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan

Project Coordinator, Global Platform

October 14, 2025

Empowering Young Leaders

The Hunger Project

Facilitator (2023-2024) & Coordinator (2022+)

This is to certify that Ms. Sharna Akter has made valuable contributions through her active engagement with The Hunger Project (THP) and her coordination work in Dhaka. From 2023 to 2024, Sharna served as a Facilitator at THP, where she played an important role in supporting training programs, guiding participants, and contributing to the success of various capacity-building initiatives. Since 2022, she has also coordinated a unit in Dhaka, successfully supporting and conducting both online and offline training sessions. Alongside her facilitation responsibilities, she has contributed to organizing events and youth-led activities, consistently demonstrating strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Throughout these roles, Sharna has proven herself to be a dedicated, hardworking, and resourceful professional, deeply committed to empowering young people and fostering meaningful social impact. We are confident that she will continue to excel in her future endeavors and will be an asset to any organization she joins. We are pleased to recommend Ms. Sharna Akter for opportunities aligned with her experience and aspirations.

Md Mostafizur Rahaman

Assistant Program Officer

November 5, 2025

Building Humanitarian Communities

ActionAid Denmark

Community Coordinator (More Than First Responders)

Ms. Sharna Akter serves as one of the Community Coordinators for More Than First Responders, a digital community of young humanitarians facilitated by ActionAid Global Platforms, where members share knowledge and experiences. Since May 2025, she has been actively engaged in community coordination, taking a lead role in preparing, coordinating, and moderating webinars. In addition, she has supported the organization of community activities and fostered engagement among members on issues affecting young people in humanitarian contexts. We are confident that her presence on the team will greatly strengthen the community's objectives.

Anjana Luitel

Project Lead, Global Platforms

August 19, 2025

Advancing Democratic Leadership

Institute of Informatics and Development (IID)

Fellow – Youth Inclusion in Democracy Fellowship (Nov 2023 - Mar 2024)

This is to formally certify that Ms. Sharna Akter served as a Fellow at the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) and Youth for Policy under the Youth Inclusion in Democracy Fellowship Program. During her fellowship, Ms. Akter played an active role in advancing democratic values, youth leadership, and civic accountability. She contributed meaningfully through capacity-building initiatives, grassroots engagement, and evidence-based advocacy, which collectively strengthened the network of young leaders striving to foster inclusive democratic processes in Bangladesh. Ms. Akter consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment, professionalism, and leadership throughout her tenure. She worked collaboratively with peers, supervisors, and external stakeholders, and her dedication to democratic engagement and social change was exemplary. We extend our best wishes for her continued success in future endeavours. IID has no objection to her pursuing further opportunities, and any support or assistance extended to her will be sincerely appreciated.

Sunjida Rahman

Senior Joint Director, IID & Head of Youth for Policy

September 4, 2025