This study assesses the condition of Somalia’s civil service, the institutional framework that governs it, and the resulting impact on public service delivery. The ind¬ings indicate that, while a basic institutional architecture exists, its effectiveness is severely constrained by systemic weaknesses. Key challenges include institutional fragmentation, a critical skills deficit, and a civil service culture in which service delivery is not the core pri¬ority. Pervasive problems, such as discrimination in promotions, the absence of merit-based recruitment, and the lack of formal job descriptions and performance management for most staff) - undermine morale and weaken service quality. In practice, many civil service positions function as a social safety net rather than as performance-based roles aligned with national priorities. The study recommends an urgent, multi-pronged reform agenda focused on digital transformation, meritocracy, strategic capacity development, and a fundamental reorientation of the civil service toward citizen-centered service delivery.
