About the job

Context:

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.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Lead a whole of UN effort, including the Mission and Agencies, Funds and Programmes in support of the FGS led stabilisation interventions in previously recovered and newly recovered areas and provide strategic guidance and support FGS in planning for stabilisation in areas still to be recovered.

2. Lead coherent planning with SNA, ATMIS and all donors engaged on stabilisation while ensuring a strong nexus approach between humanitarian, development and security so that all areas recovered can be secured and stabilised.

3. Work closely with the Political Affairs and Mediation Group in UNSOM to ensure stabilisation efforts support wider political and elections goals – ensuring that (i) District Level elections support stabilisation and stabilisation supports development of accountable district levels structures; (ii) stabilisation DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration), and peace and reconciliation efforts are coordinated and mutually reinforcing.

4. Work closely with the SRSG and DSRSG (political) to draw on good functional and operational capacity to support peace building and reconciliation in newly recovered areas.

5. Ensure timely follow-up on decisions taken at the UN in Somalia Stabilization Coordination Forum and the UN/donor coordination forum on stabilization currently co-chaired by the UNSOM DSRSGs, include chairing meetings of the working-level Taskforce and overseeing its delivery.

6. Review the existing stabilization support structures and develop a concept note on how UN support to the Government could be strengthened to implement its National Stabilization Strategy and related plans.

7. Develop a persuasive proposal to mobilise resources (international and domestic) in support of the Government’s stabilization plans.

8. Supervise the development of visualization tools to support data driven decision-making on stabilization and related efforts, building on available information from UN, national and international partners resources. [This may include to provide products such as maps, dashboard on stabilization efforts ongoing and planned].

9. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master's degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration or related field from an accredited academic institution with fifteen years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible relevant work experience, some of which must be in a comparable fragile context, is required;

• Senior management experience of multi-cultural, professional teams in a comparable context is required;

• Experience liaising with senior government officials with regard to security, stabilization, and governance is required.

• Past experience in or an understanding of Somalia is desirable;

• Prior experience and in-depth understanding of stabilization/early recovery context, including technical expertise, such sequencing of interventions, political economy analysis of fragile areas, and civil-military cooperations required;

• Demonstrated experience and ability to engage with the host country and international political entities to develop and advance shared objectives in a fragile context is required;

• Experience in designing and/or managing stabilization programs in Somalia or a comparable context is desirable.

Skills

• A solid understanding of the UN system in Somalia or comparable context, including the relationship between the Agencies, Funds, and Programmes (AFPs) and a UN peace operation (Special Political Mission or Peacekeeping Operation) is desirable;

• In depth knowledge of the broad range of stabilization related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;

• Knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming; and, • • Knowledge of the UN Somalia’s security management system.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Arabic or Somali is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

How to Apply

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