The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides logistical support to the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Established by Security Council Resolution 2753 (2024), UNTMIS began its two-year mandate on 1 November 2024 and is scheduled to conclude on 31 October 2026. As the UN political mission prepares to complete its drawdown, UNSOS continues to facilitate an orderly closure, including staggered staff check-out, asset retrieval and disposal, records management and archiving, closure and handover of premises, reconciliation and closure of outstanding financial and administrative transactions.
At the centre of this effort is the “One Stop Shop Centre”, established by UNSOS Human Resources to make the UNTMIS checkout process smoother and streamlined. Bringing together the teams responsible for different administrative requirements in one location, the Centre enables departing personnel to obtain guidance, resolve queries and complete multiple clearance procedures without having to visit separate offices.
The Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of UNSOS, Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai, recently visited the Centre at the UN Compound in Mogadishu, accompanied by Ms. Cristina Gavazzo, Chief of Operations and Resources Management (ORM), and Human Resources colleagues. The visit highlighted the close collaboration across UNSOS sections, with the Centre forming part of the wider support provided to UNTMIS personnel as the mission moves towards the conclusion of its mandate.
“A transition of this scale is ultimately about people. The “One Stop Shop Centre” is a very practical example of how our teams can come together to make a difficult and complex process easier for colleagues. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to making this support available, and to UNTMIS personnel for their service to the United Nations in Somalia”,Ms. Sadozai emphasised.
The Centre brings together Accommodation, Field Technology Section (FTS), General Supply, Human Resources (HR), Medical Services, Performance Management, Property Management, Transport and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS). This coordinated approach allows staff to engage directly with the relevant service providers, clarify individual requirements and resolve outstanding matters more efficiently.
The people-centred approach has received positive feedback from UNTMIS personnel, who have welcomed the opportunity to raise questions directly with the relevant teams and receive practical guidance tailored to their circumstances.
“The most useful aspect has been the immediate coordination among service providers in one location. This has reduced delays and repeated follow-up while improving the consistency of guidance. Equally valuable has been the personal interaction, which has provided reassurance and reinforced a sense of belonging during a period of considerable change”. Mr. Mohamedfowsi Mohamed, UNTMIS Political Officer and national staff member, highlighted.
With many staff members completing their checkout at the same time, the Centre’s value extends beyond administrative efficiency. Mr. Noel Kutuwa, UNTMIS International Senior Women’s Protection Advisor, highlighted how its approach accommodated individual circumstances and helped ease the pressure on personnel during the transition.
“Setting up the “One Stop Shop Centre” proved extremely useful. This is because it reduced the level of stress for staff and enabled their issues to be addressed in one place. All Sections represented in the centre were extremely helpful. They suggested ways in which the checkout could be done including providing solutions which were tailored to individual needs. This flexibility was one of the most useful aspect”, Mr. Kutuwa explained.
The Centre has also helped personnel manage their responsibilities during the final weeks of the mission. Arrangements allowing UNTMIS colleagues to retain the use of organisational laptops and other equipment until 31 October, through coordinated handovers with UNSOS colleagues, have helped them complete outstanding assignments and facilitate knowledge transferwhile preparing for departure. “Together, these measures reflect the commitment of UNSOS leadership and colleagues to facilitating an orderly, efficient, and dignified transition”, Mr. Mohamed added.
Ms. Gavazzo also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the initiative:“From an ORM perspective, this is a collective effort to ensure that colleagues receive coordinated, responsive support throughout their departure. HR has played a central role in establishing and coordinating the Centre, with the participating sections working together to resolve issues promptly. For us, a successful transition means completing the necessary processes efficiently while recognising colleagues’ contributions and treating each person with care and dignity”.
The initiative also draws on lessons from previous UN mission closures, including MINUSMA’s drawdown in Mali, where an effective checkout process helped departing personnel navigate separation and clearance requirements. This experience reinforces the value of coordinated accessible administrative services during periods of significant organisational change.
As UNTMIS approaches the conclusion of its mandate, the “One Stop Shop Centre” demonstrates how coordinated, people-centred support can make a complex transition more manageable. By streamlining departure arrangements and facilitating knowledge transfer, UNSOS is helping ensure an orderly transition while recognising the contributions of personnel who have served the United Nations in Somalia.
