Wide Spread Corruption Reported about UNDP Somalia

Nairobi, July 3 (HOL) – Unconfirmed reports say  that Louise Cottar who has coordinated in the past the Somali Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) is being considered for the position of Trust Fund Manager for UNDP Office Somalia. This position was recently externally advertised on Hiiraan Online and according to reports many qualified Somalis applied for the position.

If this is true, it will be a big disappointment for many highly educated Somalis who are willing to participate in the reconstruction of  their homeland.

It has been an open secret for a long time among Somalis that the UN offices for Somalia often advertise positions when they already have made their choice.

Somalis and non-Somalis who follow UNDP hiring process argue that hiring for UNDP positions is based on connections where insiders help their friends and family members get the jobs. In a recent opinion article titled the “The Myth of the UNDP-Somali Job Offering” posted on Hiiraan Online, Mr. Abdulahi Hagi argued that the process of advertising UN position is a formality and is meant to satisfy UNDP rules that require competitive hiring process.

The Somalis in the diapora are closely watching UNDP actions and the examples they set since good governance is among UNDP’s top priorities.

Source: Hiiraan Online, July 3, 2006