UNDP’s George Conway appointed UNSOM’s acting deputy head

UNDP head in Somalia George Conway has been appointed as deputy acting boss of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Conway, 49, replaces the immediate former UNSOM deputy Peter de Clercq of the Netherlands whose term ended this month.

UNSOM said a statement Conway takes up the new assignment with a wealth of experience having served in various capacities within the UN including ‘as Strategic Adviser in the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, Country Director for UNDP South Sudan and Deputy Head of Office, as well as Head of Programmes for UNDP Southern Sudan.’

Conway will also serve as United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

Conway holds two Master of Arts degrees, from Carleton University and the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg, all in Canada. He was born in 1970.

UN Secretary General António Guterres who announced Conway’s appointment Thursday is yet to appoint a substantive UNSOM head following the expulsion of former officer holder Nicholas Haysom by the federal government early January.