Fadhil Bakeer-Markar

Experience

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  Peace Initiative

  Jan 2001 - Sept 2005

  Volunteer

  As the Chairman of the ‘Sri Lanka in Crisis’ Tsunami Relief Committee, I managed the relief work by our members, including the task of identifying the necessities of the victims and fundraising activities including the Blue Ribbon Campaign. As a Peacekeeper, I was part of a team of youth creating awareness of the need for peace, tolerance and respect within communities.

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  Varners Law Firm

  Feb 2005 - May 2005

  Intern
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  Progreso Cafe

  Dec 2005 - May 2007

  Senior Barista
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  LSE Students' Union (LSESU)

  Jul 2007 - Jul 2008

  General Secretary

  As the top most elected sabbatical position in the Union, I was responsible for implementing policies of the Union, the overall co-ordination of Union activities, chairing campaigns and committees, and in charge of the Union’s publicity, communications and media relations. I also held additional responsibilities as an ex-officio Director of LSE. During this time, my competencies in leadership and managing pressure situations effectively were rigorously tested. I was the first Sri Lankan to lead the LSE Students' Union, which has a membership of over 10,000 students Show less

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  London School of Economics Students' Union

  Aug 2008 - Jul 2010

  Help Desk Assistant
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  The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka, United Nations, Geneva.

  Aug 2008 - Aug 2008

  Intern

  As an Intern, I was part of the Sri Lankan Delegation for the 9th session of the UN Human Rights Council. I represented Sri Lanka at all formal meetings and most of the informal meetings as part of the delegation. In addition to this, I assisted in research and in drafting reports to be sent to the foreign ministry in Colombo. My natural ability to effectively engage with diverse groups and individuals proved to be useful when attending formal meetings and engaging with esteemed diplomats.

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  United Nations Volunteers

  Feb 2011 - Jul 2012

  National Coordinator

  I was responsible for “Marking the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers [IYV+10]” in Sri Lanka. I was tasked to Recognise, Facilitate, Network and Promote Volunteerism. The formation of the National Voluntary Taskforce [V Force] and initiating the inaugural Volunteer Awards [V Awards] were major highlights of the year. The advocacy campaign during the year was highly commended and was evident by the note sent by H E President and by the presence of the Executive Director of the UN Volunteers at the final event of IYV+10. I spearheaded the Media and Communications strategy placed for the year. The end result was the continued media presence throughout the year and a 6 month long media campaign on 3 television and 4 radio channels, which was complimented by print media as well. The advocacy and outreach campaign was further strengthened by the close working relationships with celebrity cricketers and artists who joined and endorsed the campaign. Further I have together with the UNDP and UNV initiated and facilitate the Youth For a Greener Sri Lanka [YGSL] forum, which brought together over 30 national youth and youth related organisations to formulate a national programme for Rio+20 and beyond. This role has allowed me to build on my passion to work with youth and the strong commitment to highlight the positive role young people can play in society. In this role we produced the National Youth Statement for Rio+20 and presented to senior public and UN officials. The communication and outreach strategy for this forum was facilitated by me, to ensure that online communications and press releases are effective.As a member of the Youth taskforce of the UN Communication group, I worked with a team to take the United Nations closer to the younger people by linking up with schools, making the biannual UN newsletter youth oriented, to work with youth to mark the International Youth Day and to advice on media relations. Show less

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  Tedx Colombo

  Apr 2011 - Apr 2011

  Tedx Speaker

  Invited to speak at the inaugural Tedx Colombo on “Youth, Volunteering and Society”Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQOsvFJfPAk

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  Connect Lanka

  Oct 2011 - Jan 2016

  Founding Member

  As a Founder of a revived youth movement connecting youth from across the island, I worked with a team of committed young individuals to promote the ethos of volunteering, active citizenship and provide opportunities for societal engagement through enabling opportunities.

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  UNDP

  Aug 2012 - now

  Appointed to serve two consecutive terms of the 9-member Regional Advisory Board. As a member of the Board: 1. Adviced on the Regional Hub structure, integrated workplan and overall performance; 2. Guided on programmatic, operational and management support that Country Offices require from the Hub; 3. Advice on the financial status and prospects of the Regional Programme and options for resource mobilization and strategic partner engagements; and 4. Provided ideas to expand cross-country and inter-regional sharing of experiences and learning. Show less My main role was to develop new partnerships and strengthen existing partnerships in order to enhance the effectiveness of established projects and to initiate new projects. I was also tasked to establish partnerships with media institutions to create more awareness for on-going projects and programmes. Furthermore I was also tasked to work closely with the UNV in Sri Lanka to continue the advocacy campaign promoting volunteerism across the Island. Furthermore, I was an active member of the UN Communications Group contributing to strengthen our relations with the media and other external partners, whilst contributing to the UN media strategy. Show less

  • Team Leader - Strategic Engagement, Digital and Innovation

    Sept 2023 - now

  • Advisor - Bangkok Regional Hub - UNDP Asia Pacific

    Feb 2021 - Jun 2024

  • Policy Specialist and Team Leader - Policy and Engagement

    Apr 2019 - Aug 2023

  • Digital Advocate - UNDP Global

    Feb 2021 - Dec 2022

  • Member - Gender Focal Team

    Jan 2012 - Feb 2022

  • Innovations Ambassodor for Asia and the Pacific

    Aug 2015 - Dec 2020

  • Partnerships and Engagement Analyst

    Jan 2018 - Apr 2019

  • Head of Strategic Communications and Youth Focal Point

    Apr 2013 - Dec 2017

  • Partnership Development Associate

    Aug 2012 - Mar 2013
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  Global Shapers Community

  Aug 2012 - May 2015

  Global Shaper

  The Global Shapers Community is a network of hubs developed and led by the Young People who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements and their drive to make a contribution to their communities.

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  Kadirigama Institute

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2013

  National Conference on “the role of youth in the reconciliation”

  Invited to speak at this event on “Religious Coexistence and Positive Youth Participation in Reconciliation”.

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  Commonwealth People's Forum, Commonwealth Foundation

  Nov 2013 - Nov 2013

  Guest Speaker and Delegate

  Invited to be a guest speaker and a delegate at the Commonwealth People’s Forum 2013 themed 'Equitable growth and inclusive development: beyond 2015'. The CPF 2013 is the single biggest opportunity for civil society to engage with Commonwealth leaders on global development issues. Presented at the ‘Jobs or bust: Why the post-2015 development agenda must tackle youth unemployment’ concurrent session.

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  Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue

  Mar 2014 - Mar 2014

  Panelist and Delegate

  Invited to be a panelist and a delegate at the 11h Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue organised by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. Presented a paper on 'Ideal youth behavior from religions' point of view and youth experience'.http://www.dicid.org/

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  United Nations Global Compact Network Sri Lanka

  Jul 2017 - now

  Ex-Officio Director

  The Global Compact Network Sri Lanka is a local body of the Global Compact. It strives to ‘sustainably drive Sri Lanka’s economic growth’ and position Sri Lankan businesses committed to incorporating the Global Compact Ten Principles into their practices onto a global platform. The Global Compact Network in Sri Lanka is the local body of the GC and was the winner of the Asia Pacific Local Network in 2009 and the Top 10 Best Performing Local Networks in 2012.

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  Citra Social Innovation Lab

  Sept 2017 - now

  Founder Lead

  As the Lead of Sri Lanka's first Social Innovation Lab, I lead a team that works on prototyping and testing agile and holistic solutions to pressing development issues.

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  UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA and UNOPS Staff Association

  Jan 2020 - now

  Chair