Open Source Specialist (Home based)

Remote | New York City

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Remote | New York City
Grade: Mid level - IPSA-10, International Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Information Technology and Computer Science
Closing Date: 2024-12-07

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the development arm of the United Nations. Present in 170 countries with over 17,000 people, UNDP works on the world’s biggest problems: extreme poverty, climate change, good governance, renewable energy, crisis prevention, and women’s empowerment, among others.

UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025 highlights the organisation’s commitment to scale and accelerate progress towards green, inclusive transitions that empower every last person through greater opportunity and resilience. It also clearly defines the role of digitalisation as a critical enabler for development outcomes. As further explained in the UNDP Digital Strategy 2022-2025 (publication forthcoming), UNDP aims to consider the changing development context through digitalisation in all its interventions and to systematically harness the potential of digital technology for development.

The Chief Digital Office at UNDP is leading this effort with the goal of embedding digital technology in the development projects that we implement, supporting government partners to build inclusive digital ecosystems, and transforming the organization internally to enable these changes. This includes the use of open-source software, digital public goods (DPGs), and promoting a digital public infrastructure (DPI) approach in our development work to foster the use of reusable, standards-based and interoperable digital systems to accelerate our path towards achieving the SDGs by 2030. UNDP is also a co-leading member of the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA) and supports internal working groups in the UN system to inner source, work more openly and reuse.

UNDP is looking for an Open-Source Specialist to support the establishment of two Open-Source Programme Offices (OSPO), in a shared project with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), in two respective developing countries. The successful candidate would also lead a small project team to visit and support to five other countries and host institutions to assess the readiness for an OSPO. OSPOs are dedicated divisions within an organization that manages its open source initiatives. Its primary role is to govern and oversee open source contributions, consumption, and compliance. By serving as a bridge between open source communities and the organization, these entities aide organizations to benefit from open source while also giving back to the digital community.

Generously sponsored by the European Commission, over a period of three years, this transformative project will develop and staff two OSPOs to improve the capacity of government and a host institution to harness the benefits of open-source technology for delivering effective digital services. Additionally, for minimum 2 and up to 5 affiliate countries and host institutions, the successful candidate will travel for 1-2 weeks to train government officials in key concepts within open source and OSPOs as an organizational entity, assess the national readiness for an OSPO, as well as identify local champions for open source, and lead resource mobilization efforts for developing new OSPOs. The training and assessment in the 5 affiliate countries will be done with a consultant and/or other team member from the Chief Digital Office and is generously supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate, while primarily positioned within UNDP, will play a key role within this partnership framework, advising and supporting the two OSPOs. Working closely with both UNDP and ITU, the candidate will guide the establishment of open-source strategies, policies, and guidelines in close cooperation with the Programme Manager. Within and outside of the project, the candidate will also help play a key role in shaping UNDPs policy, positioning and advocacy efforts related to open source an OSPOs.

Oversee and guide the OSPOs in all open-source related activities and deliverables, offering technical, capacity building, and community management advice and support.
Enhance awareness of UNDPs policy and advocacy on open source and capacity building through OSPOs both internally and externally, particularly among the two host countries of the OSPO, in open-source communities, among UNDPs partners and other relevant fora.
Lead and support colleagues and consultants working in the two OSPO host counties, and five affiliate countries and potential host organisations.
Harness a list of consultants and implementors for UNDPs country offices to attain capacity in promoting and implementing open source and DPGs.
Work collaboratively with digital innovation and government digitization teams to align country digital plans with relevant open-source projects and DPGs.
Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing in the five affialted country offices.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The candidate will be part of the UNDP Chief Digital Office and report to the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Manager in the Chief Digital Office (UNDP), with joint project implementation relationship and oversight with the Programme Manager of the project (ITU). The role is remote/home based but requires flexibility to travel to at least two low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where the OSPO will be situated to ensure on-ground alignment and effective collaboration, as well as to some travel to the five affiliate countries and respective host institutions.

Expected duration: 6 Months

Home based

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Digital	Digital ecosystems	Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
HR- Learning and Development	Digital learning & development	Knowledge of digital learning methods and ability to design and develop digital learning programmes.
Digital	Digital public goods	Knowledge of how it works, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
Digital	Digital transformation design	Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organisations.
Business Development and Strategy	System Thinking	Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the syst
Information Management & Technology	Programming	Knowledge in programming concept, developing software program and management of application lifecycle. Knowledge of Oracle VCBS, Microsoft tools and equivalent an asset.
Information Management & Technology	IT Project Management	Capacity to manage ICT projects, using IT methodologies and approaches such as agile deployment and/or waterfall system development methods. PMP and PRINCE2 certification or equivalent desirable.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements	Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Public Administration, Technology Policy, Public Management or related fields, from a recognized institution is required. Or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in above fields in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience	Minimum of five (5) years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional experience in developer communities, innovation, technical project management or a related field with specific experience in open-source software projects.
Required skills	Experience working in open-source initiatives in the public and/or private sector. Demonstrated awareness of software engineering best practices, including agile frameworks, DevOps culture, understanding of design patterns and architectures.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Demonstrated knowledge of Open Source Management (OSM) to provide guidance on open-source strategy, policy, process and implementation planning, to ensure licensing compliance, foresight on security vulnerabilities, and help assess source code quality and good practices, scale-up and scheduling across projects and developments Demonstrated experience of strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in diverse teams and adapt to changing situations. Proven experience in effortlessly communicate technical concepts with clarity, ensuring all stakeholders, both technical and non-technical, comprehend the details and nuances. Experience working with governments and partners (NGOs, social enterprises, development organisations) in a developing country context. Exposure to collaborative environments or international organizations is a plus.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is advantageous.
Professional Certificates	N/A

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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