The United Nations system in Somalia comprises 17 United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, as well as the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). All UN Agencies are members of the UNCT, and the IMF and World Bank are invited to join at the country level.

Under the leadership of the UN Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator, and guided by the head of UNPOS, who also serves as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the United Nations Country Team collectively covers a broad spectrum of humanitarian, recovery and development work in Somalia.

The UN Country Team is also guided by a common workplan that is designed to bring the UN agencies closer together on coordination and operational issues. The Resident Coordination system for Somalia is supported by the Office for the Resident Coordinator, (RCO), with several full time international and national staff based in Nairobi, Garowe and Hargeisa, and a small operating budget.

Currently, the UN Country Team is developing workplans for the implementation of its One UN Programme, the UN Transition Plan (UNTP) for Somalia, with key partners, including Somali authorities and NGOs. The UNTP is a common plan that sets out the strategy of the UN in Somalia, what it aims to achieve, and how it will do this during 2008 and 2009.

The UNTP builds on the UN's comparative advantages and complements the humanitarian activities identified through the Consolidated Appeals Process, and responds to the national priorities outlined in the Reconstruction and Development Programme.