National Economist (Open to internal and external applicants)

Somalia is emerging from one of the world’s most complex and protracted conflicts, social and political instability that caused tremendous loss of human and physical capital. Somalia is at a critical juncture as the country progresses towards sustainable transformation, determined to break away from prolonged crises and fragility. Somalia wants to transform fast, make up for decades of stagnation and catch up with the rest of the world. 

In the past two years, Somalia has made considerable progress and has undergone significant political, security and socioeconomic improvements, including (i) significant debt relief package with graduation from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), (ii) joining to the East Africa Community, (iii) the lifting of the UN arms embargo, (iv) increase of the domestic revenue and (v) membership in the UN Security Council. Similarly, after three decades, Somalia was included in the Human Development Report (2023-2024) and for the first time in the global Human Development Index.

The UNDP Somalia has several projects and programmes which work through a joint approach with the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and the UN Country Team to strengthen collaboration, focus and coherence in the implementation of the Somalia national priorities. Given the ongoing UNTMIS drawdown, as mandated by UN SCR 2753 (2024), and the recognition that stems from UNDP’s extensive joint programs which underscore UNDP’s critical contribution to ensuring a smooth and effective transition, it is envisaged that a number of UNTMIS led functions will be handed over to UNDP. In preparation for the envisaged handover, UNDP is positioning its presence in relevant programmatic areas, and scaling up its...Show full description ▼