Software Developer & Civil Service Technology Lead

Marfilho
Fidel Álvares
Pereira

Head of Information System Development at Comissão da Função Pública, Timor-Leste. Building national HR systems that serve the country's civil service — from architecture to deployment. Also an open-source advocate, machine learning researcher, and ASEAN ACCSM focal point.

At a glance
Current role Head, IS Development
Organization CFP, Timor-Leste
Primary stack PHP · PostgreSQL
Degree B.Eng Informatics, UNTL
Research ML · Signal Processing
Region Dili, Timor-Leste

Background

About me

I am a software developer and technology lead at the Civil Service Commission (Comissão da Função Pública) of Timor-Leste, where I head the Information System Development Unit. My work sits at the intersection of software engineering and public administration — designing and building the systems that manage and track Timor-Leste's civil servants nationwide.

My technical foundation is PHP and PostgreSQL, though my interests span machine learning, mobile development, open-source advocacy, and networking. Before joining CFP, I volunteered as Head of the Programming Division at FDSL (Fundasaun Dezenvolvimento Software Livre), contributing to several community platforms and training hundreds of participants across Timor-Leste's 12 municipalities as an ICT facilitator.

In 2019–2020, I conducted short-term research at Gifu University in Japan, working in Professor Hidekazu Fukai's laboratory on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and speech signal processing — work that became the foundation of my thesis on speech classification using ML.

Outside of work, I blog at fi-tecli.info, create tech content on YouTube as FI-TecLi, and am an active member of the Timor-Leste open-source community.

Languages

Language Proficiency
FatalukuNative
TetunVery Good
IndonesianVery Good
EnglishGood
PortugueseGood

Career

Work experience

Feb 2022 — Present
CFP, Timor-Leste
Head of Information System Development Unit & PHP Developer

Leads the development unit responsible for building and maintaining national HR information systems for Timor-Leste's civil service. Manages a team of developers, coordinates with stakeholders across government ministries, and serves as ASEAN ACCSM Focal Point for civil service digital systems.

PHP PostgreSQL HRMIS SOAP / FreeBalance Team Lead
Jun 2020 — Nov 2021
Elovia Solutions Unip, Lda.
Freelance Web Developer

Developed and maintained websites and radio streaming platforms for clients including Lian Manu Koko Ataúro and Radio Comunidade Café Ermera. Also served as a technician for Lidun Software, one of Elovia's products.

Web Development Radio Streaming WordPress
Jan 2018 — Dec 2021
FDSL, Timor-Leste
Head of Programming Division (Volunteer)

Coordinated programmers to analyze and develop systems including the FDSL website and internal databases. Led the open-source community academy as a facilitator covering programming basics, networking, and graphic design for participants across the country.

Open Source Community Training System Development
Jul 2019 — Aug 2019
IPB Betano, Manufahi
IT Officer & Facilitator

Managed network infrastructure, MikroTik configuration, and hardware maintenance. Taught general ICT to 2nd and 4th semester students at the Polytechnic Institute of Betano.

Networking MikroTik ICT Training
2018 · 2019 · 2021
Secretary of State for Youth & Sports
ICT-Camp Facilitator

Facilitated technology training sessions (BlogSpot, WordPress, web design) for representatives from all 12 municipalities and RAEOA at national ICT-Camp events held in Viqueque, Manufahi, and Lautem.

Facilitation WordPress Web Design

Selected Work

Projects

CFP · Active
SIGAP — National HRMIS

Sistema Informasaun Gestasaun Agente Publiku (SIGAP) is Timor-Leste's national Human Resource Management Information System for the civil service. It covers the full employment lifecycle — recruitment, personnel records, transfers, and reporting — for public servants across all government ministries and agencies. Built on PHP and PostgreSQL, the system is the authoritative data source for the country's civil service workforce.

PHP PostgreSQL HRMIS National Scale
CFP · Active
SIGAPNet — GRP Integration Layer

SIGAPNet (also SIGAP-GRP) bridges SIGAP with the government's FreeBalance Government Resource Planning (GRP) system via SOAP-based web services. It enables synchronized data flows between HR and financial management — ensuring civil servant records, payroll references, and organizational structures remain consistent across both platforms without manual duplication.

PHP SOAP FreeBalance GRP System Integration PostgreSQL

Academic Work

Research

Dec 2019 — Mar 2020
Short-Term Research — Gifu University, Japan

Selected by UNTL to conduct a three-month research program in Professor Hidekazu Fukai's laboratory at the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Gifu University. Work focused on artificial intelligence, machine learning, signal processing, and speech classification — directly informing the thesis completed in 2020.

Mar 2020 — Oct 2020
Thesis: Speech "ON/OFF" Classification Using Machine Learning

Final project for the Bachelor of Informatics Engineering at UNTL. Developed a machine learning pipeline to classify speech signals as "ON" or "OFF" states, applying signal processing and ML techniques studied at Gifu University. Supervised by Frederico Soares Cabral, M.Eng. Graduated with a final classification of Muito Bom (IPC 3.24).

In the Field

Professional activity

October 2025 · Jakarta, Indonesia
Timor-Leste delegate at ACCSM/ASEAN Plus Three Meritocracy Workshop

Represented Timor-Leste's Civil Service Commission at the ASEAN Cooperation on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) and ASEAN Plus Three workshop on meritocratic principles and talent management in Jakarta. Provided commentary on data-driven HR decision-making and civil service digital transformation, highlighting the value of integrated talent management systems.

Source: BKN Indonesia (bkn.go.id)
2022 — Present · Regional
ASEAN ACCSM Focal Point for Timor-Leste

Serves as the ASEAN ACCSM Focal Point for the Civil Service Commission of Timor-Leste, coordinating regional cooperation on civil service matters and digital government initiatives as Timor-Leste deepens its ASEAN engagement.

Role · Comissão da Função Pública
2018 — 2021 · Nationwide
ICT-Camp Facilitator across 12 Municipalities

Over three editions of the national ICT-Camp program (Viqueque 2018, Manufahi 2019, Lautem 2021), delivered technology training to representatives from all 12 municipalities and RAEOA — covering web design, WordPress, blogging, and digital skills for civil society and youth.

Secretary of State for Youth & Sports · DNICT/SEJD
Dec 2019 — Mar 2020 · Gifu, Japan
Selected for research program at Gifu University

Chosen by UNTL to represent the university in a three-month short-term stay program at Gifu University's Faculty of Engineering in Japan, conducting research in AI, machine learning, and signal processing in the Hidekazu Fukai Laboratory.

Certified · Gifu University
April 2019 · Dili
Osaka Gas Foundation International Scholarship recipient

Awarded the OGFICE (Osaka Gas Foundation of International Cultural Exchange) scholarship for 2019 on the basis of achieving the highest GPA in the Department of Informatics Engineering at UNTL — one of the top academic recognition programs available to Timorese students.

Certified · OGFICE / UNTL
2018 — Present · Dili
Open-source advocate and tech blogger

Runs the FI-TecLi tech blog (fi-tecli.info) and YouTube channel, producing content on open source, programming, and technology in Tetun and Indonesian for the Timorese tech community. Active in ICT-TL, TOSC/FDSL, and related community networks.

fi-tecli.info · YouTube: FI-TecLi

Academic Background

Education

2016 — 2021
B.Eng. Informatics Engineering
National University of Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL)
Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology
Graduated Muito Bom · IPC 3.24 · Certified May 2021
2013 — 2015
Natural Sciences
Minor Seminary Our Lady of Fatima (SENOFA), Dili

Recognition

Awards & scholarships

2019
Osaka Gas Foundation International Cultural Exchange Scholarship
Awarded by OGFICE based on the highest GPA in the Informatics Engineering Department at UNTL.
2019–2020
Gifu University Short-Term Research Certificate
Certified completion of a three-month research stay in the Hidekazu Fukai Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering.
2021
ICT-Camp Facilitator Certificate — Lautem 2021
Recognized as facilitator for the national ICT-Camp program by the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports (DNICT/SEJD).

Let's connect

Get in touch

marfilhofap@gmail.com LinkedIn GitHub Blog · fi-tecli.info