Special Operations Group (UNSOG)

Established in 1989, the Special Operations Group1 (UNSOG) of the United Nations was an assignment designation for parties engaged by secondment or contract to conduct strategic services on behalf of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

With the establishment of the Department Of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in 1992, SOG was placed under the jurisdiction of the Stand-by Arrangements System (UNSAS) to form and coordinate Rapid Response Teams for pre-Deployment Assessment and Security.

As a result of the Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations (known as the Brahimi Report), SOGs functions expanded to bridge existing shortfalls in field security, specifically in strategic information services (gathering, analysis and distribution). Other duties included Operations Training, Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC), Rule of Law support, and Mission Oversight.

In 2007, as a result of further reform within the United Nations Secretariat, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) was established to bring together a coordinated approach under one entity, the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) extended its role, whilst the Rule of Law Unit was established, all of which formally assumed many of the functions performed on an interim basis by SOG.

In June 2008 the SOG structure was placed under direct Secretariat jurisidction, with its operational status down-graded to stand-by.