Director, SUN & Food Systems Coordination Unit

Position Title:                        Director – Scaling up Nutrition and Food Systems Coordination UnitContract Type:                       2 Years (January 2026 – January 2028)Duty Station:                         Office of the Vice President, Freetown, Sierra LeoneReporting to:                         Minister, SUN & Food Systems Coordination Unit 1. BackgroundSierra Leone is pursuing an ambitious food systems transformation agenda that places sustainable, inclusive, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture at the centre of national development. The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone leads implementation of Feed Salone, the flagship initiative of the Big Five Agenda to achieve food security and economic transformation. With oversight from the Honourable Vice President and the Honourable Minister of State—who also serves as the National Food Systems Convenor—the Office of the Vice President (OVP), through the Scaling Up Nutrition and Food Systems Coordination Unit (SUN & FSCU), has been tasked to provide complementary coordination support to the Feed Salone architecture—helping to embed a truly whole-of-government approach that connects food systems coordination and nutrition priorities, and ensures Feed Salone delivers sustainable, climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive results.Expansion of the SUN Secretariat and Institutional MandateThe SUN Secretariat was expanded in 2024 into the SUN & FSCU within the OVP. The expansion aimed to strengthen the Government’s capacity for coordination and advocacy, fully integrate the food systems work already being led under the Minister of State as National Food Systems Convenor, and promote a systems-wide approach to ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030. The SUN & FSCU plays an increasingly important role in supporting alignment of nutrition and food systems policies, partnerships, and data across government and with development partners.Over the past year, the Unit has led or co-produced a number of national milestones that have redefined the coordination landscape: the National Nutrition Commitment Framework (NNCF), the Nutrition Information Management System (NIMS), the National Food Systems Coordination Strategy, and the review of Sierra Leone’s 2021 Food Systems Pathways. These achievements have strengthened the evidence base, institutional architecture, and shared accountability mechanisms for both nutrition and food systems coordination.Most recently, the OVP reached agreement for the SUN & FSCU to support coordination within the Feed Salone framework, building on its existing role as the Government’s convenor for multisectoral platforms, advocacy, and data systems. This represents a critical step towards embedding a whole-of-government approach to food systems transformation that is sustainable, climate-resilient, and nutrition-sensitive.In light of this expanded mandate and the new opportunities it brings, the Government of Sierra Leone seeks to recruit a National Food Systems Coordinator to lead, implement, and represent the food systems coordination agenda within the SUN & FSCU.2. Purpose of the PositionThe Director of the Scaling up Nutrition and Food Systems Coordination Unit will serve as the head of the unit working under the supervision of the Minister of State, Office of the Vice President, and National Food Systems Convenor. The position will play a central role in translating Sierra Leone’s food systems vision into coordinated action—strengthening linkages between policy and delivery, promoting collaboration across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and ensuring that national and district coordination structures function effectively.With a team of 10 staff, the Director will lead the implementation of the National Food Systems Coordination Strategy and the National Nutrition Framework including the eleven National Nutrition Commitments.The postholder will also engage with development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector to mobilise resources, promote evidence-based decision-making, and position Sierra Leone’s food systems leadership at national, regional, and global levels. 3. Duties and Principal ResponsibilitiesA. Strategic OperationsLead the development of Annual Work PlansParticipate in the development of the Multi-Sector Plan for the reduction of Malnutrition: 2026-2032 and drawing from that Plan develop the associated Multi-Sector Coordination Work Plan for the reduction of Malnutrition.Attend high-level strategic meetings (locally and internationally) to position the role of coordination in the implementation of Nutrition and Food SystemsDevelop and share monthly progress reports on the Unit.B. Technical Leadership·      Establish and undertake periodic meeting with participating SUN Movement members (MDAs, UN Agencies, Private Sector, Academia etc) and Food Systems partners to strengthen understanding of the coordination role in Nutrition mainstreaming and Food Systems implementation;·      Maintain and develop communication approaches to showcase the coordination efforts of the team e.g., online newsletter, snapshot infographics, case studies, annual strategic meetings etc;·      Support periodic field monitoring trips to assess the work of the SUN Movement members and Food Systems partners (Quality Control);·      Lead the development of proposals to advance the work of the team;·      Manage the unit’s budget allocation.C. Programme Management·      Lead and support the coordination and implementation of Food Systems related projects and Nutrition related activities within the SUN & FSCU, ensuring effective planning, budgeting, delivery, and reporting.·      Supervise and mentor the staff and consultants, setting clear work plans and supporting professional development and performance.·      Lead the preparation of quarterly and annual reports, newsletters, and communication materials, highlighting progress, lessons learned, and priorities for further action.·      Lead the organisation of key coordination meetings and events led by the SUN & FSCU and the OVP.·      Maintain regular coordination and communication with MDAs, development partners, private sector, civil society, and academia to ensure effective collaboration and accountability.D. Monitoring, Evaluation, and LearningLead the facilitation of collection, analysis, and reporting of food systems and nutrition data through the NIMS and other national platforms.Lead the coordination of joint reviews and field monitoring visits with relevant MDAs and partners to assess quality, coordination effectiveness, and progress towards national targets.Synthesize lessons and good practices to inform evidence-based decision-making and strengthen national coordination systems on Nutrition and Food Systems.Promote a culture of learning, reflection, and adaptive management within the SUN & FSCU and across government and partner institutions.E. Resource Mobilisation and Donor EngagementIdentify and pursue funding opportunities that strengthen the unit’s mandateLead or contribute to the development of concept notes, project proposals, and budgets that reflect national priorities and align with donor requirements.Cultivate and maintain partnerships with bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, and private sector entities to advance multi-sectoral food systems coordination and transformation and Nutrition mainstreaming.Represent the SUN & FSCU in resource-mobilisation forums and donor coordination platforms to promote alignment, transparency, and sustained investment in national food systems and nutrition. 4. General ResponsibilitiesUphold the values and principles of the Government of Sierra Leone and the OVP, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and commitment to public service.Promote transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in all aspects of food systems coordination.Ensure that all activities reflect the Government’s commitment to gender equality, youth empowerment, and child protection.Maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive or proprietary information related to government and partner operations.Adhere to the policies, code of conduct, and operational standards of the OVP.Remain flexible and undertake other related duties as may be reasonably assigned, in line with the evolving priorities of the SUN & FSCU and the wider OVP.