Functions 1. Strategic Planning and Internal Control Unit (Unidad de Planificación Estratégica y Control Interno) a- Advise the General Directorate in the formulation of policies, guidelines, and directives regarding institutional actions.
b- Advise, guide, and propose matters of planning and internal control to the General Directorate, in the development of SFE plans and policies, as well as in the implementation of the internal control system at all levels of the SFE.
c- Support and advise the different bodies of the SFE in the formulation, follow-up, and evaluation of Phytosanitary and Sanitary Plans, Programs, and Projects.
d- Integrate policies, plans, budgets, and regulations formulated by the different bodies of the SFE.
e- Generate strategic information for the formulation of public policies related to the actions of the SFE.
f- Establish a monitoring and evaluation system to comply with Law N° 7664 and the Institutional Strategic Plan.
g- Implement, follow up on, evaluate, and render reports on the Plans, Programs, Projects, and Policies defined by the General Directorate in national and regional bodies.
h- Establish coordination with different public institutions for the fulfillment of accountability processes and reports on the actions of the SFE.
i- Plan, design, and execute training in planning, budgeting, programming, follow-up, and evaluation.
j- Formulate and prepare the Annual Institutional Operational Plan, budget, and reports, in accordance with the guidelines of the CGR and the Ministry of Finance.
k- Organize, direct, and evaluate the Internal Control System of the SFE.
l- Advise the General Directorate and the Internal Control Commission on the implementation of internal control policies and procedures.
m- Serve as the Secretariat of the Internal Control Commission.
n- Formulate and submit for consideration by the Internal Control Commission the strategy, the Annual Work Plan, periodic reports, and training programs that allow the internal control system to be maintained aligned with compliance with current legal and technical norms.
o- Coordinate, process, and disseminate information related to risks and self-assessments of the internal control system at the SFE level.
p- Coordinate, process, and disseminate information regarding directives, orders, agreements, provisions, and recommendations issued within their scope of competence by bodies related to the oversight and control of public entities.
q- The other functions assigned by the Internal Control Commission and the Minister.
r- Any other action in the field of Planning and Internal Control assigned by the General Directorate.
2. Quality Management and Officialization Unit (Unidad de Gestión de la Calidad y Oficialización) a- Implement, maintain, and ensure the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System in the SFE, in accordance with national and international regulations.
b- Support the implementation and follow-up of internal control systems in the Directorate under a quality system.
c- Propose and follow up on the development of the personnel training plan in everything related to the Quality Management System.
d- Plan and execute internal audits in the SFE, as well as analyze, recommend, and follow up on the necessary adjustments to be made in the different bodies.
e- Review and record all original Quality Management documentation generated by the different bodies of the SFE and safeguard that which corresponds.
f- Plan, organize meetings, and activities aimed at the functioning of the quality management system jointly with the Directorate.
g- Develop and administer a service officialization system (outsourcing) in coordination with the technical and legal bodies of the SFE.
h- Establish a registration system for officialized functions, natural or legal persons, for information to external users.
i- Any other function assigned by the General Director.
3. Legal Advisory Unit (Unidad de Asesoría Jurídica) a- Advise the General Director and other bodies of the SFE on legal matters in the fulfillment of their functions.
b- Review and propose those legal instruments, such as regulations, decrees, agreements, among others, required by the SFE for the fulfillment of its objectives.
c- Advise on the preparation of legal complaints for infringements of phytosanitary and sanitary regulations.
d- Issue the legal opinions requested by the General Directorate of the SFE.
e- Address the legal actions processed in the different judicial and administrative bodies of the country in which the SFE is a party.
f- Train SFE officials on legislation related to institutional duties and its application.
g- Inform the General Directorate of the SFE about the updating of national regulations and international standards in matters of its responsibility.
h- Organize and keep updated a registry of laws, standards, opinions, agreements, and jurisprudential rulings related to the work of the SFE.
i- Develop, in coordination with the National Directorates, the guidelines and procedures for the different administrative acts related to the application of sanitary and phytosanitary regulations.
j- Implement, maintain, and ensure the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System in the Unit, in accordance with national and international regulations.
k- Collaborate in the implementation and follow-up of internal control systems in the Unit, under a quality system.
l- Any other function assigned by the General Director.
4. Cooperation, Trade Negotiations, and Protocol Unit (Unidad de Cooperación, Negociaciones Comerciales y Protocolo) a- Advise the General Directorate on matters of international trade projects, negotiations, and agreements in the field of competence of the SFE.
b- Participate in international trade negotiation processes when appropriate.
c- Identify different sources of financing and cooperation to assist in the process of continuous improvement of SFE services and infrastructure.
d- Prepare, manage, and follow up on projects submitted to different sources of cooperation and financing.
e- Plan events to build consensus between the public and private sectors on the country's position to be presented before international normative bodies (CIPF, Codex, among others).
f- Support and follow up on the implementation of Association Agreements, Free Trade Agreements, Treaties and Bilateral Meetings, Cooperation Agreements, and projects.
g- Identify and prepare, in coordination with SFE bodies, technical and financial cooperation projects in phytosanitary and sanitary matters.
h- Follow up on the SFE's commitments with other national or international entities or organizations with which agreements are developed to promote programs or projects in phytosanitary and sanitary matters.
i- Coordinate protocolary activities carried out within the scope of the SFE.
j- Prepare and coordinate the protocol for receiving national and international technical missions, auditors, and evaluators received by the SFE.
k- Implement, maintain, and ensure the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System in the Unit, in accordance with national and international regulations.
l- Collaborate in the implementation and follow-up of internal control systems in the Unit, under a quality system.
m- Any other function assigned by the General Director.
5. Information and Notification Center Unit (Unidad Centro de Información y Notificación) a- Address and respond to inquiries from countries or interested parties regarding sanitary and phytosanitary measures, as well as the OTC agreement, in their area of work.
b- Prepare notifications regarding Costa Rican sanitary and phytosanitary regulations that emanate from the technical areas of the SFE, in coordination with COMEX.
c- Receive notifications from OMC member countries, disseminate them, follow up, and, if necessary, communicate the country's position.
d- Implement an appropriate methodology for documentary consultation.
e- Serve as a liaison with the International Phytosanitary Portal for the exchange of official phytosanitary information under the provisions established in the new revised text of the CIPF, FAO, in relation to the principle of transparency.
f- Implement, maintain, and ensure the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System in the Unit, in accordance with national and international regulations.
g- Collaborate in the implementation and follow-up of internal control systems in the Unit, under a quality system.
h- Any other function assigned by the General Director.
6. Services Comptroller's Office (Contraloría de Servicios) a- Ensure that management indicators are established to identify different service trends in order to reduce complaints and grievances.
b- Develop procedures to address user complaints at the central and regional levels.
c- Issue recommendations to enhance the image regarding the provision of SFE services.
d- Promote the application of corrective actions by technical units in services that present difficulties.
e- Distinguish between different complaints to escalate to the General Directorate those that warrant its intervention.
f- Promote the establishment of accessible information mechanisms and procedures to file complaints and to monitor the resolutions and responses provided to the user.
g- Promote surveys that allow consulting, on a regular and systematic basis, the point of view of users regarding the services provided by the SFE.
h- Submit proposals to the General Director for the adoption of policies, standards, and procedures in pursuit of timely and effective service delivery.
i- Serve as a liaison and coordinate with other institutions, private entities, and Civil Society, regarding the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the services provided by the SFE.
j- Promote modernization processes and the implementation of innovative ideas in the provision of services.
k- Implement, maintain, and ensure the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System in the office, in accordance with national and international regulations.
l- Collaborate in the implementation and follow-up of internal control systems in the office, under a quality system.
m- Any other function assigned by the General Director.
7. Press Office (Prensa) a- Design and implement communication and image strategies for the development of the SFE with its respective operational plan.
b- Identify the information and communication needs of internal and external users of the SFE at the central and regional levels.
c- Prepare informational material for the written press, radio, television, or other computer-based media; as well as for the internal public of the SFE.
d- Produce audiovisual and printed material to disseminate health and phytosanitary topics aimed at diverse audiences.
e- Promote the image of the SFE before the administered public.
f- Implement, maintain, and ensure the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System, in accordance with national and international regulations.
g- Collaborate in the implementation and monitoring of internal control systems, under a quality system.
h- Any other function assigned by the Director General.
OPERATIONAL BODIES