Advocating for Open Source at UNICEF: Insights and Experience
Photo by Andrew Small on Unsplash
As I continue on this role, My focus has shifted on evangelising and advocating Open Source internally - to my colleagues in Office Of Innovation
For a little over 6 months, I have had the pleasure of serving as the Open Source Technical Advisor at UNICEF Office of Innovation. I work as a member of the Venture Fund team, providing technical assistance and mentorship to portfolio companies, assessing new investments, and executing the Open Source strategy.
Throughout my time in this role, I have gained invaluable insights and learning. I have had the opportunity to work with incredibly talented individuals and organizations, with each providing unique challenges and opportunities. As I reflect on the past six months, I want to share some of my thoughts on the pros, challenges, and overall experience.
Experience so far
My experience as the Open Source Technical Advisor has been overwhelmingly positive and insightful.
One of the biggest pros of this role is the opportunity to work with diverse teams and individuals. The Venture Fund portfolio companies span a range of sectors and geographies, which means I get to interact with people from all over the world with different backgrounds and skill sets. I am constantly broadening my own understanding of the open source landscape and its impact on global development.
A unique benefit of the role is the ability to see the direct impact of our investments. It is inspiring to see how the portfolio companies are leveraging open source technologies to drive social impact and achieve their missions. As an open source advocate, it is rewarding to see how the UNICEF Office of Innovation is contributing to the growth and success of the open source community. However, I believe that more resources need to be allocated to the Open Source strategy within UNICEF, especially in Open Source policies within UNICEF.
"We don't just wish to be tourists in the Open Source space."
- Bo Percival, UNICEF Office Of Innovation
Challenges:
As with any role, there have been challenges.
One of the main challenges has been balancing the technical needs of portfolio companies with the larger strategic goals of the organization. It is important to ensure that individual solutions align with our overall Open Source strategy, and this requires constant communication and collaboration with different teams.
Another challenge that I have faced is the Portfolio Companies' hesitation to open source their IP. This is understandable since they have invested time and resources into developing their proprietary technology, and there may be concerns about protecting their competitive advantage. However, we need to ensure that our portfolio companies understand the benefits of Open Source and how it can help them achieve their social impact goals. I try to engage with them, understand their concerns, and work with them to find a solution that balances their needs with our overall Open Source strategy. I have changed my monthly check-in call to be a more free-flow, open call to ensure that all questions and all fear, uncertainty and doubt is addressed.
I have constantly felt the need of more education and alignment around Open Source within the organization - which has become my goal for the rest of the year. I am working on a few surveys to setup a baseline understanding of Open Source within the org, and practicing Open Source to increase communication around the topic.
Lastly, I wouldn't call it a challenge, but a realization that I should put extra effort into keeping up with the rapidly evolving Open Source landscape. With new technologies and platforms emerging regularly, it is essential to stay up to date and assess their relevance to our portfolio companies. This requires a constant commitment to learning and exploration. Attending a few flagship events like FOSDEM, All things Open, Open Source Summit etc is one of the best ways to keep updated.
So..
My time at the UNICEF Office of Innovation has been a transformative experience. It has allowed me to deepen my knowledge of open source technologies and communities, and to contribute to the growth of a community that is focused on driving positive social impact. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such inspiring individuals and organizations, and look forward to continuing to serve in this role.
Public money, public Code
I have many things I wish to do, but after a few prioritization sessions, here is my
Wishlist for the year:
- Community space for our portfolio companies to increase visibility, and promote collaboration.
- Better metrics to enable companies make strategic decisions
- Internal evangelism and advocacy for open source within UNICEF - to understand and leverage the benefits of open source
Adopting Open Source is a multifaceted process that requires collaboration from various parties. To address the challenges of divergent objectives and insufficient knowledge, I must improve my communication and provide adequate assistance to our colleagues. It's crucial to engage with our portfolio companies and enlighten them about the advantages of Open Source. Additionally, to balance work and personal life, prioritization and transparent communication with the team are essential.
In conclusion, this has been overwhelming and tiring, but I'm grateful and privileged to work at UNICEF. With my work, I am excitd to help improve the lives of children and families around the world by leveraging the power of open source technology - and that is powerful!