How the Commission Is Organised
The National Independent Human Rights Commission of Somalia is structured into four core departments, each with clearly defined mandates, responsibilities, and professional standards.
This structure ensures:
- Institutional independence
- Clear separation of functions
- Operational efficiency
- Accountability and transparency
- Effective delivery of the constitutional mandate
All departments operate under the strategic oversight of the Commissioners and the executive management of the Executive Director.
OVERVIEW OF DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE
- Department of Administration, Human Resources, Finance & Procurement
- Department of Planning & Strategy
- Department of Human Rights (Core Technical Department)
- Department of Training, Outreach & Public Relations
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, HUMAN RESOURCES, FINANCE & PROCUREMENT
Institutional Integrity and Operational Backbone
This department provides the administrative, financial, and logistical foundation that enables the Commission to function independently, professionally, and transparently.
Core Mandate
To ensure the effective management of:
- Human resources
- Financial resources
- Administrative systems
- Procurement processes
- Institutional assets
Strong internal administration is essential to safeguarding the Commission’s independence, credibility, and sustainability.
Key Functional Areas
Human Resources Management
Responsible for:
- Merit-based recruitment and selection
- Staff contracts and personnel records
- Performance management systems
- Staff training and capacity development
- Gender and disability inclusion
- Staff welfare and discipline
Recruitment is conducted through open and competitive processes, ensuring professionalism and impartiality.
Finance & Budget Management
Responsible for:
- Preparation and execution of the Commission’s budget
- Financial reporting and accounting
- Payroll and staff benefits
- Compliance with national public finance laws
- Internal financial controls
The Commission manages its budget independently and is subject to national audit mechanisms to ensure accountability.
Administration & Logistics
Responsible for:
- Office management and logistics
- Asset and inventory management
- Records management
- ICT support and cybersecurity
- Transport and facilities
Procurement (Integrated Function)
Procurement is housed within this department to ensure financial integrity and value for money.
Responsible for:
- Annual procurement planning
- Open tendering processes
- Vendor registration and management
- Contract evaluation and award
- Publication of procurement information
All procurement is conducted in accordance with:
- National procurement laws
- Principles of transparency, fairness, and competition
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & STRATEGY
Direction, Coherence, and Institutional Foresight
The Department of Planning & Strategy ensures that the Commission’s work is coherent, strategic, evidence-based, and results-oriented.
This department does not investigate cases.
Its role is to plan, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the Commission’s work.
Core Mandate
To guide the Commission’s strategic direction and ensure that all departments work toward shared institutional goals.
Key Functions
Strategic Planning
- Development of the Commission’s Strategic Plan
- Annual Work Plans and operational planning
- Alignment with constitutional priorities
- Integration of human rights into national development frameworks
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
- Monitoring implementation of departmental activities
- Tracking performance indicators
- Evaluating impact of Commission interventions
- Institutional learning and improvement
Data, Statistics & Knowledge Management
- Consolidation of complaints and investigation data
- Human rights trend analysis
- Evidence generation for reports and policy advice
- Development of dashboards and indicators
Coordination & Reporting Support
- Coordination between departments
- Support to the Human Rights Department in planning thematic work
- Tracking implementation of recommendations issued by the Commission
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Core Technical and Substantive Department
This is the most comprehensive and central department of the Commission.
👉 All five Human Rights Themes feed directly into this department.
👉 It carries the substantive constitutional mandate of the Commission.
Core Mandate
To promote, protect, monitor, investigate, and report on human rights in Somalia, in accordance with the Constitution, Islamic principles, national law, and international standards.
Internal Structure of the Human Rights Department
Investigations & Complaints Unit
Responsible for:
- Receiving and registering complaints
- Assessing admissibility and jurisdiction
- Conducting investigations
- Undertaking detention monitoring
- Establishing Jury Panels where required
This unit operates on principles of:
- Independence
- Impartiality
- Confidentiality
- Victim-centred and trauma-informed approaches
Thematic Human Rights Units
(All Five Themes Are Embedded Here)
Civil & Political Rights Unit
Focus areas:
- Right to life and security
- Freedom from torture and abuse
- Arbitrary arrest and detention
- Fair trial and due process
- Freedom of expression and assembly
Economic, Social & Cultural Rights Unit
Focus areas:
- Education
- Health
- Water, housing, and sanitation
- Labour and social protection
- Cultural participation
Women, Children & Vulnerable Groups Unit
Focus areas:
- Women’s rights and gender-based violence
- Child protection
- Persons with disabilities
- IDPs and minorities
- Elderly and marginalised groups
Rule of Law, Justice & Accountability Unit
Focus areas:
- Access to justice
- Detention monitoring
- Accountability for violations
- Transitional justice
- Security sector oversight
Human Rights & Development Unit
Focus areas:
- Climate change and environmental rights
- Business and human rights
- Land and resource governance
- Development projects and service delivery
- SDGs and rights-based development
Legal Advisory & Policy Unit
Responsible for:
- Legal analysis of laws and policies
- Advisory opinions to Parliament and Government
- Drafting recommendations for legal reform
- Supporting investigations with legal expertise
Reporting & International Mechanisms Unit
Responsible for:
- Annual and thematic reports
- Submissions to Parliament
- Engagement with ACHPR and UN mechanisms
- Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
- GANHRI accreditation processes
Role of the Human Rights Department
This department:
- Drives the Commission’s credibility
- Produces evidence-based outputs
- Ensures compliance with international standards
- Serves as the intellectual and operational centre of the institution
DEPARTMENT OF TRAINING, OUTREACH & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Building a Culture of Human Rights
This department ensures that human rights are understood, communicated, and internalised by society and institutions.
Core Mandate
To promote awareness, education, and public engagement on human rights through structured outreach and professional communication.
Key Functional Areas
Human Rights Education & Training
- Training for police, military, judiciary, and civil servants
- Community-level awareness programs
- School and university engagement
- Capacity-building workshops
Public Outreach & Community Engagement
- Engagement with elders, women’s groups, youth, and IDPs
- Town-hall dialogues
- Outreach to rural and marginalised communities
Media & Public Relations
- Press releases and statements
- Media briefings
- Public messaging during crises
- Management of the Commission’s public image
Digital Communication & Multimedia
- Website content management
- Social media engagement
- Audio-visual awareness materials
- Campaigns and public service announcements
HOW DEPARTMENTS WORK TOGETHER
- Human Rights Department identifies issues and investigations
- Planning & Strategy Department ensures coherence and results
- Training, Outreach & PR Department translates findings into public education
- Admin, HR, Finance & Procurement ensures institutional stability
This integrated model reflects best practice among A-Status National Human Rights Institutions.
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