IOM - UN Migration
Position Title: Strategic Stabilization Advisor
Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia
Classification: Professional Staff, Grade D1
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 24 December 2023
Organizational Context and Scope:
Under the overall supervision of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) in Somalia through the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General / Resident Coordinator / Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) and the direct administrative supervision of the IOM Somalia Chief of Mission , the Strategic Stabilization Advisor will be seconded to UN Somalia – SRSG and is responsible for leading the United Nations Somalia efforts on all aspects of stabilization including, mobilizing and coordinating support to the Federal Government of Somalia’s (FGS) stabilization needs.
Country Context
The Somali political and security landscape has undergone considerable development in recent years. Since mid-2022, the FGS has developed a new strategy to counter Al-Shabaab militarily, financially, and ideologically while preparing to take over security responsibilities from African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Successful offensives against Al-Shabaab by the Somali National Armed Forces (SNA), with the support of community forces, have resulted in the recovery of new territories and an improvement of the security context in Mogadishu. The FGS recognises that ATMIS and international partners’ support has contributed to gains made. Despite progress made, challenges remain. Al-Shabaab continues to undermine efforts to extend state authority and government functions in the country through the spread of violent extremism, complex, asymmetric attacks, assassination of government personnel and civilians and exerting diverse forms of coercion. There are also challenges in hold operations for liberated territories, which require a strong policing presence. Current police generation, capacity, and logistics are insufficient to meet these demands, particularly within Federal Member States (FMSs). Stabilisation efforts in liberated territories are crucial to prevent the resurgence of Al-Shabaab and fostering reconciliation and a lasting peace. In this regard, the government has developed a Stabilization Plan aligned with the draft National and Federal Stabilization Strategy. This plan underlines the critical role of early recovery investment and sufficient financing for stabilisation initiatives that support local holding forces to sustain security achievements and tangibly improve community needs.
Organizational Context and Response
United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2705 (2023) emphasizes the fundamental objective of the UNSOM (United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia) mission remains to maintain peace and stability in Somalia by supporting state-building and peace-building and through the advancement of Somalia’s national priorities. It encourages UNSOM to strengthen its capacity to support the FGS and FMSs in supporting extension of government authority and expanding its coordination role on stabilisation, bringing together donor support to assist authorities to delivery basic services and community reconciliation, including in areas newly, or recently recovered areas from Al-Shabaab and fragile areas. UNSCR 2705 further calls for accelerating implementation of the National Stabilisation Strategy and State-level Stabilisation Plans whilst supporting peacebuilding, local governance, rule of law.
In the last quarter of 2022, UNSOM initiated the establishment of a UN in Somalia Stabilization Coordination Forum at the strategic level and established a working-level taskforce. A stabilization coordination group with international partners was established in February 2023. UNSOM supports governmental coordination on implementing the National Stabilisastion Strategy and related stabilization plans. The UN Country Team partners and UNSOM deliver programmatic work in the areas of the rule of law, reconciliation and service provision, in addition to humanitarian interventions in the newly recovered areas.
The Strategic Stabilization Advisor is essential to bring a more strategic whole of UN approach in support of FGS and FMS stabilisation plans. Current dedicated resource lies in the Community Recovery and Extension of State Authority and Accountability (CRESTA/A) team located in the DSRSG/RC/HC office. The Strategic Stabilization Advisor will line manage the UNSOM CRESTA team, and will have a remit to bring together a whole of UN approach including programming in other relevant Agencies Funds and Programmes and draw on the UNSOM political good offices. The role will also lead on coordinating international partners support on stabilisation and respond to increased demands of future FGS/FMS military operations.
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