Project Officer (Open Source Programme Office)

Background

An important development challenge in Trinidad and Tobago is the need for a sustainable open source ecosystem to advance digital transformation in the public sector. Barriers to open source adoption include limited technical expertise, concerns over long-term costs, and a lack of structured support, which hinder government’s ability to leverage digital tools effectively and improve service delivery. These challenges prevent the public sector from fully utilizing open-source solutions to increase accessibility, transparency, and efficiency in government services.

This project aims to establish an Open Source Programme Office (OSPO) in Trinidad and Tobago to address these needs. The OSPO will build local capacity to deploy and support open-source technology, promote sustainable open source practices, and support pilot projects that demonstrate open-source applications in key sectors such as healthcare and education.

Expected results include:

1. Enhanced Capacity: Training for public sector employees and university students to build expertise in open source management and implementation.
2. Improved Access to Services: Pilot projects showcasing the benefits of Open Source in public services, making them more efficient and accessible.
3. Sustainable Ecosystem: Establishing the government OSPO as a lasting resource for open source collaboration, with partnerships and revenue models to support ongoing initiatives.

These outcomes align with the Trinidad and Tobago’s digital strategy, and they contribute to an inclusive, digitally empowered society by fostering a resilient open source ecosystem.

Over the course of the pilot, the Open Source Project Officer (OSPO Officer) will facilitate the government’s engagement with open source communities, while developing strategies to enhance the country’s presence and reputation in global open source spaces. The Officer will collaborate with national and international stakeholders, build key relationships, deliver training, and integrate open source approaches into national digital transformation efforts, with a goal to establish Trinidad and Tobago as an active contributor in the global Open Source ecosystem. 

In this phase of the project specifically, the OSPO Officer will primarily focus on consultations with key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and work plan, specifications of organizational structure, and drafting an initial sustainability plan for the OSPO in Trinidad and Tobago.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Open Source Project Officer (OSPO Officer) will be responsible for the overall implementation of all project activities. In the initial phase of the project, this role focuses on project inception activities; project planning and reporting; project implementation; initial identification, monitoring and management of risks; as well as establishing and managing stakeholder relationships. They will ensure the effective and efficient day-to-day management of the project as it establishes its long-term guidance through the to-be-created Project Board. Establishment of this Board will specify its specific scope, anticipated to include technical product development activities, project management support, as well as coordination and communication among diverse stakeholders. Responsibilities of the OSPO Officer in this phase include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Assumption of direct responsibility for establishing and managing the project through:
   1. Coordinating the alignment of the UNDP internal Project Document with strategic stakeholder priorities defined through consultations, which collectively define the key objectives, activities, metrics, budget, and governance structures of the OSPO;
   2. Development of a detailed project inception and implementation report, which shall outline the detailed work plan, annual budgets, procurement and recruitment plans, and programmatic activities of the OSPO;
   3. Development of technical scopes and Terms of Reference for procurement of goods and services for the project;
   4. Mobilisation of any necessary initial contractors and suppliers, and supervision of all related work in accordance with letters of agreement or contracts;
   5. Overseeing daily initial project implementation and identification and management of risks, taking corrective action where necessary with the approval of the Project Board and/or UNDP Country Office; and
   6. Management of key stakeholders throughout the first phase of the project implementation process.
2. Stakeholder Management achieved through:
   1. Consulting with stakeholders to collaboratively develop and refine relevant national open source strategies, polices, and programs;
   2. Consulting with initially-identified stakeholders in development of the OSPO's scope, mission, vision, and strategic activity plan for the pilot period;
   3. Establishing and developing initial relationships with key in-country Open Source ecosystem individuals or entities;
   4. Establishing and developing the OSPO’s initial relationships with key external partner organisations in the global Open Source ecosystem;
   5. Consulting on creation, resourcing, project management, and collaboration for government-maintained open source projects;
   6. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with project stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, government officials, and clients; and
   7. Managing stakeholder expectations and providing regular project updates, reports, and presentations as required during the first phase of the project.
3. Capacity Development and Partnership for the OSPO through:
   1. Developing, customizing, and supporting delivery of any necessary early-stage training content (in association with partners) to initial stakeholders in government, associated partner organisations, or public ecosystem partners; and
   2. Collaborating and sharing insights with counterpart country OSPO pilot teams and the global UNDP/ITU programme management team.
4. Support for advancement of key priorities of UNDP, ITU, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation for Open Source ecosystem development through: 
   1. Consulting with government leadership to understand needs related to integration of Open Source approaches and goals to support the country's digital transformation strategy. Overall, establish plans that will work to build Open Source mentality into the national government DNA;
   2. Building initial awareness of Trinidad and Tobago externally within the global Open Source community. Identify and promote opportunities in the project’s initial phase to increase the country's overall involvement in Open Source; and
   3. Identification of opportunities to establish Trinidad and Tobago as an actively contributing member of relevant Open Source initiatives. This work will involve identification of and collaboration with peer learning groups and organisations. 

The OSPO Officer will be supervised by the Digital Transformation Project Manager at the UNDP Trinidad and Tobago Multi-Country Office.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in either Computer Science, Software Development, Information Systems, ICT related field, project management, international development, public policy or related field; a first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree or equivalent) of relevant experience in IT project management, planning and implementation is required;

Required Skills:

• IT systems management: A minimum of 5years of experience implementing or managing software or information systems for large organizations or government.
• Partnership management: 3 years or more of stakeholder management and communications experience, managing or facilitating projects with senior government leaders, multilateral agencies, internal teams, or cross-functional stakeholders
• Software development tools: 2 years or more proven experience using open-source software management tools (GitHub/GitLab, issue trackers, continuous delivery/integration, etc).

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Sustained leadership contributions to at least one (1) major open source software project.
• Intermediate ("non-lawyer") understanding of open source licenses including appropriate use cases, and major attributes of license categories.
• Experience and familiarity with multiple programming languages (coding experience) is an asset.
• Experience working with National Governments or International Development Agencies in the Caribbean or Latin America.
• Demonstrate a technical understanding of technology trends and digital solutions relevant to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Open-Source technology, and Artificial Intelligence.
• Demonstrated experience in critical analysis and thinking, problem solving and strategic planning. 
• Exceptional communication, presentation and organizational skills.

Professional Certificates:

Certification in Emerging Technologies such as open-source software, artificial intelligence, or digital public infrastructure would be considered an asset.

Other Requirements:

• Trinidad and Tobago nationals and non-nationals residing in country and legally authorised to work may apply.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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