Head of Resident Coordinator's Office in Sierra Leone

Meet Ashok Sayenju, the Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Sierra Leone.  As a seasoned development coordination expert, he helps bring the UN country team together to create better results than the sum of all pieces.

For instance, he coordinated with the UN country team members to create a first-ever UN Youth Advisory Group in the country. This platform allows Sierra Leonean youth, with various backgrounds and from different locations, to interact with and incorporate their perspective and advice on the work of the UN in the country.  Since its establishment in May 2023, the Advisory Group has brought new perspectives to the programs, initiatives, and projects of the UN, laying the foundation for increased engagement.

Ashok also supported the UN Resident Coordinator in establishing an UN-wide thematic working group on Preventing Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment with a concrete work plan and activities now in place.  Having been a strong advocate of the topic, he shared various country examples and modalities for the UN country team to produce the best format for the Sierra Leone context.