Details
Mission and objectives
Costa Rica, historically a human rights champion, has a favourable framework for the protection and integration of asylum-seekers and refugees. The country has ratified the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1978), the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees (1978), 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (1977); the 1961 Convention for the Reduction of Statelessness (1977); and it also developed national normative on refugees: Executive Decree No. 32.195-G in 2004. The determination of refugee status is carried out by the Costa Rican Government through the Migration Authority with assistance from UNHCR.
Recently, Costa Rica is facing challenges stemming from the significant increase in the number of asylum-seekers in the past 5 years, particularly from Venezuela and Nicaragua, and despite the Governments efforts, this recent influx has posed serious strains on the national systems of response including education, health, social protection, and legal assistance. This situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic when the Refugee Unit closed for nine months. The Refugee Unit´s capacity to receive and process cases was exceeded, causing significant delays on delivering asylum-seeker documentation and work permits which affected the access of people of concern to rights and services and ultimately increased their vulnerability.
Recently, Costa Rica is facing challenges stemming from the significant increase in the number of asylum-seekers in the past 5 years, particularly from Venezuela and Nicaragua, and despite the Governments efforts, this recent influx has posed serious strains on the national systems of response including education, health, social protection, and legal assistance. This situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic when the Refugee Unit closed for nine months. The Refugee Unit´s capacity to receive and process cases was exceeded, causing significant delays on delivering asylum-seeker documentation and work permits which affected the access of people of concern to rights and services and ultimately increased their vulnerability.
Context
Costa Rica has a long-standing tradition of providing protection and solutions to persons in need of international protection. In recent years, the country has experienced a significant increase in the number of asylum applications, which has placed pressure on national asylum procedures, institutional capacities and reception arrangements. Strengthening the asylum system is a priority for the Government of Costa Rica and a key area of engagement for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
UNHCR is supporting the Government of Costa Rica, in particular, the competent asylum authorities, to reinforce the fairness, efficiency and integrity of the asylum system. This support includes technical assistance on legal and policy frameworks, institutional and operational capacity-building, digitalization and case management, as well as improved coordination among relevant ministries and institutions at central and local levels.
The Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of a dedicated project aimed at strengthening the asylum system of Costa Rica in close partnership with the Government. The incumbent will work in direct and regular contact with government counterparts, including, but not limited to, the General Directorate for Migration and Foreigners and the relevant asylum units, as well as other ministries and institutions involved in refugee protection and migration management.
The purpose of this position is to ensure the effective planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UNHCR’s project to strengthen the asylum system in Costa Rica, in close collaboration with government counterparts and other partners. The Project Manager will serve as the primary focal point for project-related matters, ensuring that activities are implemented in line with agreed objectives, timelines, budgets and quality standards, and that they contribute to enhanced access to fair, efficient and protection-sensitive asylum procedures.
UNHCR is supporting the Government of Costa Rica, in particular, the competent asylum authorities, to reinforce the fairness, efficiency and integrity of the asylum system. This support includes technical assistance on legal and policy frameworks, institutional and operational capacity-building, digitalization and case management, as well as improved coordination among relevant ministries and institutions at central and local levels.
The Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of a dedicated project aimed at strengthening the asylum system of Costa Rica in close partnership with the Government. The incumbent will work in direct and regular contact with government counterparts, including, but not limited to, the General Directorate for Migration and Foreigners and the relevant asylum units, as well as other ministries and institutions involved in refugee protection and migration management.
The purpose of this position is to ensure the effective planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UNHCR’s project to strengthen the asylum system in Costa Rica, in close collaboration with government counterparts and other partners. The Project Manager will serve as the primary focal point for project-related matters, ensuring that activities are implemented in line with agreed objectives, timelines, budgets and quality standards, and that they contribute to enhanced access to fair, efficient and protection-sensitive asylum procedures.
Task description
1. Project Planning and Management
1.2 Lead the overall planning, organization and management of the asylum system strengthening project, ensuring alignment with UNHCR’s multi-year strategy, country operations plan and relevant government plans;
1.3 Develop and regularly update detailed project work plans, implementation schedules and resource plans, in consultation with government counterparts and UNHCR teams;
1.4 Oversee day-to-day project implementation, ensuring that activities are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and in accordance with UNHCR standards and donor requirements;
1.5 Manage project risks, issues and dependencies proactively; propose and implement mitigation measures and adjustments to work plans as needed;
1.6 Coordinate the preparation, revision and tracking of project budgets, in close collaboration with UNHCR Programme and Protection Units, ensuring sound financial management and compliance with UNHCR rules and regulations.
2. Government liaison and coordination
2.1 Facilitate coordination mechanisms between UNHCR and government counterparts for project planning, implementation, monitoring and review, including regular technical meetings and steering committees as required;
2.2 Support government counterparts in articulating priorities, defining project activities and identifying opportunities to reinforce institutional ownership and sustainability;
2.3 Promote coherent and complementary approaches between this project and other national efforts and international cooperation initiatives related to asylum;
2.4 Contribute to initiatives to strengthen case management systems, including digitalization, data management and information flows, in coordination with relevant government departments and technical experts.
3. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
3.1 Maintain a project results framework, including indicators, baselines and targets, in line with UNHCR results-based management standards and any donor requirements;
3.2 Compile, analyse and interpret data and qualitative information to track progress, identify challenges and propose corrective actions;
3.3 Prepare high-quality project reports (internal and external), including progress, annual, final and ad hoc reports, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and alignment with agreed formats;
3.4 Lead the joint preparation and quality assurance of all contractual reports to the donor regarding the project, including inception, interim, annual and final narrative reports;
3.5 Contribute to project evaluations, reviews and learning exercises, and document good practices and lessons learned to inform future programming;
3.6 Maintain regular communication and coordination with the donor, in close collaboration with UNHCR and IOM senior management, including through briefings, participation in coordination fora, and support to visibility and communication activities in line with the project communication strategy and EU visibility requirements;
4. Other responsibilities
4.1 Provide regular briefings to UNHCR senior management and government steering structures on project progress, challenges and opportunities;
4.2 Perform any other related duties as required by the supervisor in support of the project or the broader UNHCR operation.
1.2 Lead the overall planning, organization and management of the asylum system strengthening project, ensuring alignment with UNHCR’s multi-year strategy, country operations plan and relevant government plans;
1.3 Develop and regularly update detailed project work plans, implementation schedules and resource plans, in consultation with government counterparts and UNHCR teams;
1.4 Oversee day-to-day project implementation, ensuring that activities are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and in accordance with UNHCR standards and donor requirements;
1.5 Manage project risks, issues and dependencies proactively; propose and implement mitigation measures and adjustments to work plans as needed;
1.6 Coordinate the preparation, revision and tracking of project budgets, in close collaboration with UNHCR Programme and Protection Units, ensuring sound financial management and compliance with UNHCR rules and regulations.
2. Government liaison and coordination
2.1 Facilitate coordination mechanisms between UNHCR and government counterparts for project planning, implementation, monitoring and review, including regular technical meetings and steering committees as required;
2.2 Support government counterparts in articulating priorities, defining project activities and identifying opportunities to reinforce institutional ownership and sustainability;
2.3 Promote coherent and complementary approaches between this project and other national efforts and international cooperation initiatives related to asylum;
2.4 Contribute to initiatives to strengthen case management systems, including digitalization, data management and information flows, in coordination with relevant government departments and technical experts.
3. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
3.1 Maintain a project results framework, including indicators, baselines and targets, in line with UNHCR results-based management standards and any donor requirements;
3.2 Compile, analyse and interpret data and qualitative information to track progress, identify challenges and propose corrective actions;
3.3 Prepare high-quality project reports (internal and external), including progress, annual, final and ad hoc reports, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and alignment with agreed formats;
3.4 Lead the joint preparation and quality assurance of all contractual reports to the donor regarding the project, including inception, interim, annual and final narrative reports;
3.5 Contribute to project evaluations, reviews and learning exercises, and document good practices and lessons learned to inform future programming;
3.6 Maintain regular communication and coordination with the donor, in close collaboration with UNHCR and IOM senior management, including through briefings, participation in coordination fora, and support to visibility and communication activities in line with the project communication strategy and EU visibility requirements;
4. Other responsibilities
4.1 Provide regular briefings to UNHCR senior management and government steering structures on project progress, challenges and opportunities;
4.2 Perform any other related duties as required by the supervisor in support of the project or the broader UNHCR operation.
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