Marlon Bockarie-Konteh | Director, Policy Research, Planning and Knowledge Management
Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone

I am Marlon Samuel Bockarie-Konteh Esq.  I hold degrees in Law, Business, and Development Management from the premier University of Sierra Leone.  I am a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow 2021-2022, the most prestigious Fulbright Programme awarded by the Government of the United States of America.  My fellowship was on Economic Development: Banking and Finance. I have over twenty years of uninterrupted work experience in the private and public sectors.  I started my professional career at KPMG-Sierra Leone in 2003, where I was the Executive Administrative Officer directly reporting to the Managing Partner.  In 2004, I went on secondment to Pacific Architect Engineers (PAE) - a Lockheed Martin Company.  In 2009, I joined the Government Civil Service as a Programme Analyst in the Office of the President where I was supporting the delivery of national agendas.  The Agenda for Change (2007 – 2012), the Agenda for Prosperity (2012-2018), the Post Ebola Recovery Plan, as Private Sector Lead (2016 – 2018), and the Medium-term – National Development Plan 2018-2023.  The Agendas for Change, Prosperity, and the National Development Plan are Medium-term National Development Plans that customise Global Agendas of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In late 2016, I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as the Director of Policy Research, Planning, and Knowledge Management.  My responsibilities include but are not limited to delivering foreign policies that are research-driven.  I also supported the transition from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy and led the transformative agenda of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.  The shift from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy tends to ensure that Sierra Leone’s Diplomats not only support the country's political agenda but also its strives toward economic growth and development.  In 2018, I was recognised for conducting the first-ever Diplomatic Training for newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the Government of Sierra Leone. In late 2018, I moved to the Ministry of Youth Affairs as director of policy research, planning, and knowledge management.  At the Ministry of Youth, I have supported the development of the National Youth Policy 2020 – 2025, and the Youth Sector Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025.  I have also supported the delivery of youth interventions in agriculture, fisheries, sexual reproductive health, youth empowerment, and employability.  This responsibility largely intersects with the private sector and industries.