About us
Background
As part of the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, the Secretary-General created a time-bound position of Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement.
The Office of the Special Adviser, established in June 2022, serves as the UN’s prime advocate on solutions and is tasked with helping drive a change in the approach to solutions within and outside the UN system.
Mr. Robert Piper
The Secretary-General appointed Mr. Robert Piper to serve as the Special Adviser in May 2022.
Mr. Piper took up the post the following month.
Focus and responsibilities
The Special Adviser works on behalf of the Secretary-General to catalyze stepped up action on solutions to internal displacement from across the UN system.
In line with the Action Agenda, the Office of the Special Adviser has a particular focus on strengthening the engagement of development, peace, and climate actors. The Special Adviser also proactively engages with States, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), the private sector, and civil society, and serves as a point of entry for other actors seeking to contribute to solutions.
Core
Responsibilities
- Galvanizing political will through high-level advocacy at global level and through field visits and advocacy support at country-level
- Strengthening linkages with development actors, including International Financial Institutions (IFIs), around solutions at the global level
- Incentivizing collaboration within the UN system to ensure that solutions are more effectively addressed within the UN’s existing processes and mechanisms
The Special Adviser works closely with the interagency Steering Group, as well as with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the Emergency Relief Coordinator, and the Principals of different UN Agencies and Entities.
The Special Adviser reports on progress to the UN Executive Committee every six months and will also provide regular updates to external stakeholders.
Four workstreams
The work of the Office of the Special Adviser will be configured around the following workstreams, with illustrative deliverables placed across a two-year time-horizon.
(1)
PREVENTION
Reduce tomorrow's displacement crises
- Promote awareness of inter-linkages (climate change/mobility/adaptation strategies and climate change/conflict/displacement) including through global and regional alliances
- Work with IFIs/UN climate actors to support countries at risk of climate displacement to access climate-adaptation financing
(2)
RESPONSE
Solution-friendly humanitarian response
- Work with specific UN teams in displacement affected countries to enable earlier pathways to solutions
- Contribute to the review of the humanitarian response in internal displacement contexts (IASC review)
(3)
SOLUTIONS
Resolve internal displacement situations
- Work in 10-16 countries where conditions are met to get 10 million people on a path to resolve their internal displacement, together with UNRCs/UNCTs, affected Governments, donors, IFIs, IDPs and civil society and the private sector to put in place solutions and financing strategies, and roll out enhanced data systems.
(4)
GOVERNANCE
Solve governance and coordination challenges on solutions
- Identify how IDP solutions can be better managed in multilateral forums.
- Investigate UN accountabilities when displacement goes from ‘acute’ to ‘chronic’ and propose related mechanisms
- Support the development and roll-out of UN agencies individual plans on solutions.