Joseph Sahr Dawonde studied at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, where he earned a Certificate, National Diploma, and Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He then continued his education at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Joseph has worked in various roles, starting as a teacher at Boyo Memorial Secondary School in Bumbuna. He later served as an Electrical Technician at Bay Construction and Mining International and subsequently worked as a Construction Supervisor at Misheal Kay Construction Limited. Currently, he is employed at the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) at the Kenema Forestry and Tree Crops Research Centre (KFTCRC) as an Assistant Estate Officer.