Hossain joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1981. Hossain was the deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh in Kolkata from 2001 to 2005. He blamed India's lack of willingness for the lack of development in
Bangladesh-India relations. From 17 December 2006 to 8 July 2009, Hossain was the foreign secretary of Bangladesh. From 29 to 30 August 2007 he hosted a delegation led by his counterpart in Pakistan,
Riaz Mohammad Khan. From July 2009 to July 2012, Hossain served as the principal of the
Foreign Service Academy. In June 2012, Hossain was appointed the high commissioner of Bangladesh to South Africa. He blamed the death of Bangladeshi expats in South Africa on a lack of law and order. In September 2012, the Bangladesh High Commission in South Africa was robbed and in March 2013 the ambassador's residence was robbed and Hossain's wife was held at gunpoint. Hossain was the chief guest at the
Bangladesh University of Professionals International Model United Nations in September 2019. Hossain was the keynote speaker in March 2021 conference on Bangladesh turning 50 organized by
Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs. In September 2021, Hossain was a guest presented at a seminar on disinformation and reporting for Bangladeshi journalists organized by the
United States Agency for International Development. ==Controversy==