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 2025BYLC – 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 2024BYLC – 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 2024IID (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 2023Public 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 2023Ad-din Hospital
- ▸Assisted in nutrition-focused research projects, including data collection, entry, and analysis.
Partnership Manager
Jan 2020 – Dec 2022Nirvoy 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 2019Aounkur 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.
What is Organising?
June 6, 2024
Principles of organising, social movements, and people-centered approaches.
Download PDF →The Movement Cycle
June 6, 2024
Overview of movement phases, characteristics, and preparation strategies.
Download PDF →Story of a Social Movement
June 6, 2024
How individuals and movements experience various phases of the movement cycle.
Download PDF →Organising vs. Mobilising
June 6, 2024
Building people power, distributed leadership, and relationship building strategies.
Download PDF →NGOs and Social Movements
June 6, 2024
History of development and collaboration between NGOs and social movements.
Download PDF →Why Organising?
June 6, 2024
Current need for organising, civil society during crises, and global examples.
Download PDF →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
Soft Skills
Professional References
Professional Recommendations
Formal letters of recommendation from colleagues and supervisors across diverse organizations and initiatives.
Dedicated Partnership Professional
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
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
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
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
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