Location:

Washington DC, United States
Salary:

negotiable / YEAR
Job type:

CONTRACTOR
Posted:

2 weeks ago
Category:
Deadline:

17/12/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

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. Including through 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 Analyst who can support establishing two open-source programme office (OSPO), in a joint partnership with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), in two respective developing countries, and support technical work related to open source and DPGs.

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 servering 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.

Over a period of three years, this partnership is committed to establishing and shaping two OSPOs. Generously sponsored by the European Commission, 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 of group of 5 affiliate countries and host institutions, the candidate will support engagements to build the knowledge of government officials in key concept with open source, assess the national readiness for an OSPO, and identify local champions for open source. 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 supporting role to the OPSO project working closely with both UNDP and ITU, the candidate will provide technical support to the new staff working in the national OSPOs in close cooperation with the Programme Manager. In addition, the candidate will support on various technical support requests coming from UNDP country office.

Colloborate with the Programme Manager in overseeing and guiding the OSPOs in all open-source related activities and deliverables.
Ensure technical, capacity building, and community management advice and support related to open-source software and ecosystem development.
Work with CDOs communications and community team to enhance awareness of the partnership’s open-source strategy, including production and dissemination of blogs, white papers and other knowledge products.
Work with the Programme Manager to support country teams to build and scale open-source communities through external partnerships.
Guide and support digital innovation and government digitization teams to align country digital plans with relevant open-source projects and DPGs.
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 DPI Manager in the Chief Digital Office (UNDP), with joint project implementation relationship and oversight with Programme Manager. The role is remote but requires flexibility to travel to low and middle income countries (LMICs) where the OSPO will be situated to ensure on-ground alignment and effective collaboration, and potentially to other countries.

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction 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 system
Digital	Digital ecosystems	Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
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 organizations.
Digital	Innovation ecosystem curation	Ability to identify key players in an ecosystem, engage with them and mobilize them to build a community and over time a movement around a common mission that can bring about changes at the system level. Ability to give sense of purpose and build trust, develop programmes of activities and platforms to build and strengthen relationships.
Digital	E-governance	Knowledge of how it works, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society
Digital	Agile’ methodologies and practices	Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.

Minimum Qualifications

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 two additional years of qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree or equivalent.
Min. years of relevant work experience	Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 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 and knowledge in 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 Proven track record of strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in diverse teams and adapt to changing situations. Demonstrated experience in effortlessly communicate technical concepts with clarity, ensuring all stakeholders, both technical and non-technical, comprehend the details and nuances. Experience in 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	Experience working in open-source initiatives in the public or private sector. Exposure to collaborative environments or international organizations is an asset. Experience working with governments and partners (NGOs, social enterprises, development organizations) in a developing country contexts desired.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is desired.
Professional Certificates	N/A

Disclaimer

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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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements

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