About Me

The Story

Abir has over 10 years of experience delivering and managing programs at the intersection of economic inclusion, digital development, and social protection. He has led multi-million dollar projects, secured high-value funding from diverse donors, and worked closely with government agencies on project preparation and implementation.  

He is skilled at forming and managing high-performing teams, driving innovation in complex operating environments, and building organizations as well as launching multiple projects from the ground up, including establishing GiveDirectly’s operations in Bangladesh, where he currently serves as Country Director.  

In April 2023, Abir joined GiveDirectly – a global nonprofit dedicated to delivering unconditional cash transfers directly to people in poverty – for its newly launched operations in Bangladesh. He currently oversees the overall management of GiveDirectly’s programs and operations in Bangladesh as the Country Director.

Before joining GiveDirectly, Abir’s consulting assignments included working with The World Bank on social protection and migration, supporting URC’s business development efforts in Bangladesh, and collaborating with the Global Knowledge Initiative to drive innovations for disaster response challenges. Previously, he led the Bangladesh program at the British Asian Trust, consulted for DAI and UNICEF, and worked on several USAID-funded projects, primarily focusing on private sector engagement and access to finance.

In parallel, Abir is the co-founder and Director of Plaantik Pte Ltd., a global football media and culture company founded in 2011 and registered in Singapore, with over one million followers across social media platforms.