Zainab Akther

Ms. Zainab Akther is a highly experienced Chief of Party, manager, and team leader with expertise in economic and social empowerment, gender equality and social inclusion, education and training, and livelihood development.

With over 30 years of professional experience, Ms. Akther is a proven expert in her field, having spent two decades leading operational, strategic, and technical projects focused on sustainable interventions in counter-trafficking in persons, Inclusive education, and socio-economic development for disadvantaged populations. She has an impressive track record of success, having led numerous successful projects in the past, including the highly acclaimed USAID-funded Feed the Future WEA project and the Job Opportunities and Business Support Project in Bangladesh, which was implemented by Winrock International and Maryland University USA. Ms. Akther has worked with various development organizations such as USAID, the World Bank, ADB, CIDA, EC, DFID, AusAid, Sida, DANIDA, UNICEF, JICA, Plan Parenthood Canada, and Plan International Canada.

Ms. Akther possesses skills in networking, advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation. She is highly proficient in mobilizing strategic partnerships with donors, inter-agency host government institutions, community-based organizations, the private sector, and other key stakeholders. She is a Canadian citizen with Bangladeshi roots and has worked extensively across South and Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Canada.