Sharmaarke Abdullahi is Programme Management Officer at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), where he leads the Donor Relations and Strategic Partnerships Unit. He is responsible for overall strategic donor partnerships with member states, foundations and the private sector. During his time at UN-Habitat, Sharmaarke has also managed UN-Habitat’s Youth and Livelihood Unit, where he oversaw the development of youth programmes on governance, migration, and peacebuilding. He also contributed to UN Security Council Resolution 2250-mandated Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security.
Sharmaarke has over 15 years of experience in policy, fundraising, programme management and community development. His commitment to improving the lives of young people has been recognized on the global stage at the United Nations and locally in his home town of Ottawa, the capital of Canada. He was awarded the Black History Ottawa Community Builder Award in 2016 and was also awarded the Community Builder Award by United Way Ottawa in 2018. Sharmaarke is committed to community-based work, believing that this is how and where real change happens.
Sharmaarke has authored and co-authored research and policy papers on youth migration, youth and the blue economy, the intersection of youth peace and security and climate action. Sharmaarke holds a Master of Research in Public Policy degree from the Queen Mary University of London and an Honors History Degree from Carleton University