Quick Overview
The National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre in Sierra Leone is looking for a Director to lead the development of the country's cybersecurity workforce and ecosystem. This is a high-level position based in Freetown, where the Director will be responsible for creating policies, building partnerships with stakeholders, and working with international organizations to improve Sierra Leone's cyber resilience.
As a Grade Level 11 position, it's a senior role in the civil service, requiring strong leadership skills rather than just technical expertise in cybersecurity. The Director will play a key role in shaping the country's cybersecurity strategy and ensuring its safety in the digital world. This is a full-time, pensionable position, offering a unique opportunity to make a real difference in Sierra Leone's cybersecurity landscape.
Key Details
The deadline to apply is July 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM GMT. This role will be based in Freetown, at the NCCC offices located at 13 Regent Road, Hill Station. It's a full-time job with a pension, and the salary is competitive - they haven't given a specific amount.
Eligibility Requirements
This is a genuinely senior role, and the qualifications reflect that. Candidates need a Master's degree or higher in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Law with a Cybersecurity Specialisation, Business Administration in Information Systems Management, or another closely related field.
On top of that academic requirement, NCCC is looking for professional certifications, specifically CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), GSE (GIAC Security Expert), and PMP (Project Management Professional), all in good standing, or at minimum, proof that these will be obtained within the next three months.
To be considered for this role, you need a lot of experience - we're talking at least 10 years of working in areas like cybersecurity, IT, or business administration. And it's not just about having a job in one of these fields, you need to have been really hands-on in cybersecurity or business administration for at least 7 of those years, with a focus on building and growing ecosystems.
On top of that, you should have 5 or more years of experience supervising teams or managing projects, including developing and putting policies and strategies into action. This experience should have been gained in environments that are complex and fast-paced, where you had to think on your feet and make things happen. Managing projects and teams in these kinds of situations is crucial, and you need to be able to show that you have real expertise in this area.
To fill this role, you need to know about international standards for keeping computers and networks safe. You should also be familiar with the laws in Sierra Leone, especially the Cybersecurity and Crime Act of 2021. The National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, or NCCC for short, wants someone who has worked with important government officials and business leaders before.
This job involves talking about national cybersecurity plans with these high-level people, so you need to have experience doing that kind of thing. It's a big responsibility, representing the country's cybersecurity goals to senior officials and executives, and you should be comfortable working in those circles.
What the Role Covers
This role is all about creating a plan to protect Sierra Leone's online world and the people who work in it. To do this, the person in this position will need to work with lots of different groups, including government agencies, private companies, universities, and community organizations.
They'll need to get everyone on the same page when it comes to keeping the country's online systems safe. This isn't just about writing policies, but about getting everyone to agree on what needs to be done to keep Sierra Leone's cyber ecosystem secure. It's a big job, but someone's got to do it. The goal is to make sure the country has strong online defenses and that everyone is working together to keep the internet a safe place.
A big part of this job is about building skills and knowledge in a very real way. This means finding out what training is needed in different areas, deciding what's most important, and creating programs to make both government and private companies better at dealing with cyber threats. It also involves working closely with schools and universities to develop or update courses on cybersecurity, so the next generation is prepared to handle these issues.
The Director also provides expert advice to senior leadership on emerging cyber threats and trends, facilitates how cybersecurity policies get communicated to the general public through various media channels, and engages directly with policymakers to shape relevant regulations.
The role involves working with other countries to fight against cyber threats and crimes. This includes helping Sierra Leone agree to international rules and agreements about cyber issues, and making deals with other countries to work together. The Director also does administrative and technical tasks to support the overall work of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre. By working together with other countries, we can better protect ourselves against cyber threats and make the internet a safer place. The Director's work is important because it helps to keep our country and its people safe from cybercrime.
Required Documents
When you're applying, make sure to include a cover letter that's addressed to the National Cybersecurity Coordinator. You'll also need to send in your CV and any certificates or documents that back up your application. This will help you show that you're a strong candidate for the job.
Application Process
Prepare a cover letter addressed to the National Cybersecurity Coordinator
Please make sure to include your resume and any relevant certificates or documents that support your application.
To apply, please submit your complete application to recruit@nccc.gov.sl and be sure to copy hr@nccc.gov.sl on the email.
Submit before 27th July 2026, 23:59 GMT
Major Considerations
To be honest, this job is not for someone just starting out or in the middle of their career. You need to be realistic about your qualifications before you apply. We are looking for someone with a lot of experience and education - a Master's degree, four professional certifications (or be close to getting them), 10 years of experience in general, and 7 years specifically working on building ecosystems.
This is a tough standard to meet, and it's really designed for someone who is already a leader in the cybersecurity field, not someone who is just trying to get started. If you're early in your career and looking to break in, this might not be the best fit for you.
The National Council notes that women who are qualified for the job are strongly encouraged to apply, so if you fit the bill, it's definitely worth mentioning. If you're chosen for the position, you'll need to go through a security clearance check before you can start, which is pretty standard for a role that's closely tied to the country's infrastructure and government. Just keep in mind that this can add some extra time to the hiring process, so be patient - security clearances can take a while to process, even after you've nailed the initial interview.
Final Verdict: Should You Apply?
This role is perfect for seasoned cybersecurity or IT experts who have a Master's degree and the right certifications - or can get them within three months. You should also have about ten years of experience, with a focus on strategic work and building capacity, and it's a plus if you've worked with the government or high-level stakeholders before. If you're just starting out or in the middle of your cybersecurity career, this might not be the best fit, as the requirements for experience and certifications are quite high.
 2026: Full Guide, Eligibility & How to Apply){kind=link}
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