Technical assistance for the analysis of political and socioeconomic trends and social conflict dynamics in Costa Rica

Result of Service This consultancy aims to advise the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team on the interpretation of the different political and social dynamics in the country and their possible influence on the activities of the Agencies, Funds and Programs, as well as to advise on the programmatic response to be proposed by the UN in the development of the UNSDCF.

Work Location Costa Rica

Expected duration From May 1st to November 30th 2022 (7 months)

Duties and Responsibilities Costa Rica is an upper-middle income country. Its political and economic stability has resulted in steady growth over the past 25 years. However, the country is not exempt of problems, including the delicate fiscal situation, high levels of unemployment and persistent inequality.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic slowdown have only exacerbated these problems, harming traditional sources of income such as trade, tourism and foreign direct investment, negatively impacting growth and fiscal accounts. There are also impacts on coexistence (especially for children and women), social cohesion, education and culture, and many other aspects of development.

In addition, serious cases of public corruption have recently come to light, which are affecting the fragile credibility in the institutions and the democratic system. A recent study by the National University, conducted in the electoral context, reveals that 86% of those surveyed are inclined towards authoritarian leadership. This is particularly true among the younger age groups, which will increasingly dominate the Costa Rican vote.

On the other hand, the room for dialogue in the country has also been affected in recent years, damaging the ability to reach national agreements. The Government managed to move forward in 2021 with the creation of an Economic and Social Consultative Council (Consejo Consultivo Económico y Social, CCES). This is a consultation group made up of representatives of various sectors of society (productive, labor and social) in which the agreements adopted will serve as a guide for the Executive Branch's decision making. However, its sustainability is not assured with the new government of the Republic that will arrive in May, in spite of the country's imperative to put in place the mechanisms that will allow to reach the necessary consensus in the Legislative Assembly and in other spaces for dialogue.

Thus, the country is facing a multidimensional crisis that threatens the sustainable development agenda and the achievement of the SDGs in the country. Adding to the complexity of the current situation is the electoral contest to be held on February 6. At only few days before the elections in Costa Rica, the only certainty is that no presidential candidate would achieve the 40% needed to win in the first round. The apathy and lack of identification of the voters with the political options would be one of the causes of these low percentages, even though there are 25 candidates (only 3 women) registered for the Presidency 2022-2026.

Therefore, the RC and the UNCT needs a correct interpretation of the growing political and development challenges in the country, particularly related to the elections and the constitutional process of change of government, the weakened capacity for national dialogue, exclusion and growing inequality in a context of increasing challenges related to the environment, climate change and natural resource management.

This consultancy, developed in partnership with DPPA, should provide an adequate understanding of the national context for the preparation of the next Cooperation Framework to take place during 2022. The consultancy should pay special attention in the analyses to the situation of the most marginalized communities, such as the Afro-descendant population, indigenous populations, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, with special emphasis on women and youth who suffer discrimination and exclusion.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Resident Coordinator, who also approves the work plan and its deliverables, and will be responsible for the following tasks and deliverables:

1. Maintain regular contact with political and social forces in the country to inform the preparation of briefing notes for internal use of the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT, particularly on political and socio-economic analysis, juncture and trends, conflict prevention, human rights, social cohesion, the nexus between humanitarian aid, development and peace, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). 2. Identify opportunities and provide risk-informed analysis on political and socioeconomic developments and social conflict dynamics in the electoral period, political transition, and change of government. 3. Monitor parliamentary developments and analyze the implications these may have for the UN, its mandates and activities and provide recomendatios and action points proposals. 4. Provide analysis and suggested “entry points” for dialogue with political party candidates on key sustainable development issues, e.g. on the human rights agenda, climate action and nature-based solutions, gender equality and women's empowerment, social protection and human development, financing for development, infrastructure, etc. 5. Support the design and implementation of strategies to identify “entry points” for mainstreaming of conflict prevention and conflict sensitivity in the work of the UNCT, particularly in the Common Country Analysis (CCA) updates and the preparation of the 2023 - 2027 Cooperation Framework. 6. Support the RC and UNCT in the development of proposals to address the challenges identified. 7. Participate in weekly meetings with the RC and in meetings of the UNCT to present analysis, proposals and recommendations on the topics of the consultancy.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: - Experience in national and community level conflict prevention and peacebuilding initiatives and programming; with experience in gendered dimensions of peacebuilding being an asset; (desirable) - Experience working within a UN Agency/Fund/Programme or Department is an advantage; (desirable) - Proven experience in working on Costa Rica and/or the LAC region would be an asset. (desirable) Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in political science, sociology, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or other related social sciences. Experience: - Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in political and socio economic analysis, strategy development, gender mainstreaming and/or women empowerment, risk informed/conflict sensitive development and/or conflict prevention and sustaining peace in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization; - Proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior officials, such as in the United Nations, government, political parties and other partners; - Experience in programming and project management, such as programme design and results monitoring, in areas related to conflict prevention, peacebuilding and/or development; Language: - Fluent written and spoken Spanish is required. - Intermediate to advance knowledge of English is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.