Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence (MPA-AI), the European Union (EU), and The University of the West Indies (UWI), is establishing an Open-Source Programme Office (OSPO) for Trinidad and Tobago.  The OSPO is financed by the Open-Source Ecosystem Enabler (OSEE) global initiative, which is a programme of the European Union under the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, and operated in conjunction with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) with aims to enhance the capacity of local and regional public and private actors to adopt open-source to deliver digital government services. 

The OSPO will serve as the central hub for building a sustainable open-source ecosystem, enhancing public sector digital capacity, and deploying open-source solutions to improve government services, in direct support of the National Digital Strategy 2023-2026.

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.

In the same manner, one of the objectives of the project is to make full use of international best practices and particularly of the vast experience gathered in EU Member States in the areas covered by this cooperation. EU Member States such as Denmark, Estonia, France, the Netherlands and Finland, but also Luxembourg or Lithuania, are considered world leaders in the development, implementation and deployment of open-source solutions.  They have demonstrated how relatively small countries can position themselves as global powerhouses in this domain. The ambition of this project is to support Trinidad and Tobago in positioning itself as a regional leader in this area under the Global Gateway Investment Agenda.

The Open-Source Technical Analyst will be the primary technical professional within the OSPO, responsible for providing hands-on guidance, analysis, and support to government agencies on their open-source journey.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Technical Analyst will be responsible for the following key outputs:

  • Technical Guidance & Advisory Services:
    • Conduct technical assessments of Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) needs and existing infrastructure to recommend suitable open-source solutions.
    • Provide expert advice on open-source software selection, architecture, security best practices, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
    • Analyze and advise on open-source licenses  to ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks for the Government.
    • Serve as the OSPO's subject matter expert on software forge management (e.g., GitHub/GitLab), CI/CD pipelines, and open-source development workflows.
    • Ensure that all the aforementioned activities are carried out in adherence to international best practices, standards, and digital solutions, to maximise security, accessibility, sovereignty and efficiency.
  • Pilot Project Implementation & Support:
    • Provide direct, hands-on technical support for the identification, customization, and deployment of pilot projects, with a focus on deploying and adapting existing Digital Public Goods (DPGs).
    • Develop technical specifications and architecture diagrams for proposed open-source solutions.
    • Collaborate with MDA ICT staff and potential vendors to ensure successful technical implementation.
  • Research & Strategic Analysis:
    • Monitor the global landscape of open-source technologies, with a specific focus on mature and stable DPGs relevant to the public sector.
    • Conduct the initial "Open-Source AI Landscape Analysis" to identify practical, low-risk use cases for future consideration by the Project Board.
    • Evaluate new open-source technologies and tools for their potential applicability to Trinidad and Tobago's digital transformation goals.       
  • Ensure partnerships and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing with the EU, EU member states, and its public and private institutions.
    • Identify and promote different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, and information provision. 
    • Organize training for project personnel on ICT issues. 
    • Synthesize lessons learned and best practices directly linked to ICT. 
    • Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
    • Develop strategies to engage international stakeholders, particularly from smaller EU countries that represent international best practice and that align with the project's objectives, fostering partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange, private sector engagement, and business opportunities, leveraging of EU expertise and innovation to enhance project outcomes.

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 Technical Analyst (OSPO) will be supervised by the Digital 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 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition
Digital

Programming, Web and App

Development

Ability to build websites, platforms and apps that are

effective and intuitive to use.
Digital Digital product management

Ability to design and lead digital product development including testing, ongoing product iteration,

product strategy and delivery.
Digital

Cyber and Data Privacy Security

Risk Management

 Ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to potential Risks and issues that may results in Data breach that can cause potential identity theft and personal harm and can also negatively impact UNDP's reputation

Information Management &

Technology

 IT Security Management

Knowledge of Cyber Security technologies, processes,

techniques and tools. Apply practical innovations to solve cybersecurity problems.  Capability to keep UNDP systems and data safe.

Knowledge of ISO 27001 principles. CSSIP, CSIM, CISA or equivalent certification desirable.
Digital Digital ecosystems Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society

Information Management &

Technology

 Solutions Architecture
  • Ability to design and manage the Information system architecture supporting corporate business processes.
  • Design integration strategies and approaches to integrate of one or more applications or services to maintain a coherent and effective IT architecture.
  • Knowledge of ISO 20000 and IT operations. The Open Group TOGAF9 or Open CA, ITIL Master certification, or DevOps or  similar certification desirable.
Business Direction & 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.
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Computer Science, Software Development, Information Systems, ICT, Engineering, Project Management, or any related field, is required,
OR

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience in the aforementioned areas will be given due consideration in lieu of master's degree.

Experience:

Minimum of 2 years (with master's degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in ICT Project Management, Software Development, Systems Administration, or Technical Architecture for large organizations or government.

Required Skills:

  • Experience with multiple programming languages (coding experience).
  • Proven experience in IT systems administration, infrastructure design, and technical architecture for scalable solutions.
  • Knowledge and expertise in technology trends and digital solutions relevant to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Open-Source technology, and Artificial Intelligence.

Desired Skills:

  • At least 2 years’ experience in IT systems administration, infrastructure design, and/or technical architecture for scalable solutions.
  • Software development tools: At least 2 years or more proven experience using open-source software management tools (GitHub/GitLab, issue trackers, continuous delivery/integration, etc.). Must be specifically stated on CV.
  • At least 2 years’ cumulative hands-on experience across 2 proven examples of deploying, configuring, or managing open-source software solutions in a professional environment.
  • At least 2 or more years work experience with local or international public sector or government ICT projects, 
  • Experience working with National Governments or International Development Agencies in the Caribbean or Latin America.
  • Knowledge or Experience regarding the design, implementation, or management of open-source software (OSS) solutions of the European Union or its Member States. 
  • Experience in public sector procurement, compliance, and operational constraints.
  • Experience with open-source licenses including appropriate use cases, and major attributes of license categories.
  • Experience in developing technical documentation and/or delivering technical training.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required.

Professional Certificates:

  • Certification in Emerging Technologies such as open-source software is desired.
Important applicant information
All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.
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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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