Consultancy to Support UNICEF CO transition from MHIC to HIC, Costa Rica, 2 Months

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, opportunity 

How can you make a difference? 

The consultancy should focus, among other aspects, on the following:

• Analyze and describe the impact that the transition from UMIC to HIC will have on the country in general and in particular, on the social sector
• Analyze the implications of the transition for children in Costa Rica, including challenges and opportunities for the fulfilment of child rights in Costa Rica.
• Analyze the implications of the transition for UNICEF highlighting the areas that might be most impacted by the transition.
• Review the current CPD and CPMP and propose new strategies and approaches to programming that have the potential to achieve results at scale for children in a high-income Costa Rica, these could include but are not limited to strategies like, partnership and strategic alliances, advocacy, leveraging public finance for children.
• Propose the strategic shifts that UNICEF should undertake to remain a relevant, credible partner in a high-income country context in Costa Rica.
• Propose the office structure that UNICEF should adapt to remain relevant and viable in the HIC context of Costa Rica
• Propose strategies and opportunities that UNICEF might explore to ensure sustainability of its operations as well as to leverage public finance for children in the HIC context.
• Engage with other relevant UNCT agencies about this transition, as necessary.
• Assist in developing the economic arguments that appeal to decision makers when it comes to resource allocation priorities.

 

Work Assignment Overview	Deliverables/Outputs	Delivery deadline
The consultancy involves collaborating with key counterparts and UNICEF staff to develop an Analytical Assessment Report that explores the contextual conditions and critical emerging issues in the country programme context surrounding Costa Rica’s transition from an Upper-Middle-Income Country (UMIC) to a High-Income Country (HIC). The report will analyze the transition’s impact on the country, particularly on the social sector, and its implications for children, identifying key challenges and opportunities for the fulfillment of their rights. It will assess the impact of the transition on UNICEF Cosa Rica’s operations and programmes, identify key risks and opportunities, and analyze strategic scenarios aligned with UNICEF’s “Programme Guidance for High-Income Countries” within the context and ambition of the new Business Model Initiative.	Analytical Assessment Report	March 7, 2025
Informed by the Analytical Assessment Report, the consultancy involves collaborating with key counterparts and UNICEF staff to develop an Informed Strategy to guide UNICEF Costa Rica’s transition from an UMIC to a HIC. The assignment includes reviewing the current CPD and CPMP to propose innovative programming strategies, such as leveraging public finance, fostering partnerships, and advocating for child rights. The document will identify strategic business model shifts to ensure UNICEF remains a relevant and credible partner in a high-income context, propose an adaptable office structure, and recommend sustainability strategies for operations. Additionally, the consultancy will engage with UN agencies, IFIs and other key allies, to support the development of economic arguments for decision-makers, and propose strategies aligned with the Business Model Initiative (BMI) to address key contextual changes and trends, ultimately ensuring scalable and sustainable results for children in Costa Rica.	Informed Strategy to guide UNICEF Costa Rica’s transition from an UMIC to a HIC	April 15, 2025

* The consultant will need to travel to Costa Rica for missions. The consultant should include these costs in the financial proposal as a lump sum.

 

For more information about the consultancy, please refer to the Terms of Reference.

 

To qualify you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in in social sciences, international relations, public policy, international development, public relations, communication, or a related field.
• A minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience in international development.
• In-depth experience of the functioning of PFP/and UNICEF CO transitions from HMIC to HIC.
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in Strategy Development in the development sector.
• Robust understanding of UNICEF and/or UN system, and of current events as they relate to international development issues.
• Ability to work independently and to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong verbal communication skills, interpreting and condensing technical language or complicated issues for different audiences.
• Demonstrated strong presentation and writing skills are essential – a clear, concise, compelling writing style.

Evaluation Criteria

A) Technical Evaluation (70 points)

1 Overall Response (15) *

• Demonstrates understanding of, and is responsive to, the technical requirements and UNICEF’s situation, based on proposal – 10.
• Proposal is clear and well-written – 5

2 Approach (15) *

• Quality of proposed methodologies – 5 points
• Proposed approach will result in attainment of all requirements and objectives – 10

*Based on Applicant’s Financial proposal.

3 Consultant Credentials (40)

• Educational background and expertise – 5
• Ability to perform required tasks based evidenced in application – 20
• Range and depth of experience with similar assignment – 15

B) Financial Proposal (30 Points)

All applicants must submit a Financial Proposal to be considered

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.