Senior Data Scientist

The organization:

Development Gateway: An IREX Venture (DG) is an international non-profit organization with team members based in more than 10 countries worldwide. For over 20 years, DG has researched data ecosystems, built digital tools to support those data ecosystems, and advised on data strategy and digital transformation to strengthen decision-making, transparency, and service delivery. DG has expertise in deploying digital tools in agriculture, health, aid management, data & data strategy, extractives, information management systems, open contracting & procurement, and beyond. We support a variety of partners in over seventy countries around the globe to better collect, analyze, visualize, and use data by building digital tools, creating strong incentive structures and processes, and providing training and support.

Program Information:

DG, with support from the Gates Foundation, will lead an exciting data science-driven program to support 3-4 governments in West and East Africa in using data and modeling to inform country strategies and investment plans to strengthen soil health. Leveraging data from a variety of sources – international and local – we will engage Ministries of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Institutes, and the private sector to identify critical constraints to improved soil nutrition, crop production, and farmer income. Based on this analysis, we will support the identification of national soil health strategies, and targeted interventions to be carried forward by government and private sector, in line with the AU’s ten-year soil health roadmap process.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Data Scientist who will play a pivotal role in shaping data products that drive high-impact decisions in agriculture and soil health. As a Senior Data Scientist, you will design and implement innovative data pipelines, develop predictive models, and collaborate with a diverse, interdisciplinary team. You will also contribute to thought leadership by publishing research, writing blogs, and creating data visualizations that influence global stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and deploy advanced data products, pipelines, and models to generate insights on soil health and agricultural productivity.
• Build systems and processes to collect, analyze, and combine multiple data sources in novel ways.
• Customize crop and soil health models (e.g., WOFOST, QUEFTS) to local contexts, supporting governments in informed decision-making.
• Lead or contribute to workshops, webinars, and training sessions for stakeholders.
• Author research papers, blogs, and data visualizations to disseminate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • PhD or Master’s degree with at least 4 years of relevant professional experience, OR
  • Bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Agronomy, Soil Science, or related fields.
• Technical Skills:
  • Expertise in Python and R for data analysis, modeling, and visualization.
  • Proven experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud).
  • Strong command of data science methods, such as machine learning, natural language processing, web scraping, or big data platforms.
• Analytical Experience:
  • Ability to adapt and customize models to specific country requirements.
• Communication & Organizational Skills:
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
  • Strong writing skills, with experience producing reports, papers, or presentations for policy audiences.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a dynamic, global environment.

Nice to have qualifications:

• Knowledge of agricultural sustainability practices, soil science, or climate modeling.
• Hands-on experience working with agricultural data, including familiarity with models like WOFOST, QUEFTS, or other crop simulation tools.
• Experience working with government agencies or international organizations in Africa or other developing regions
• Familiarity with geospatial analysis tools (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS)

Position details:

Duration: This is a full-time consultancy position for 20 months, with an expected start date of November 25, 2024.

Location: Open to candidates worldwide, with a preference for applicants based in Africa or in DG hubs (Argentina, Kenya, Moldova, Senegal, Romania, or the United States). Candidates must be able to overlap at least four working hours with Washington, DC.

Compensation: Competitive hourly consulting rate of $50–$75, based on location and experience.

Contract Type: Consultancy. Candidates in the United States may be eligible for a full-time benefited staff position.

To apply, visit developmentgateway.org/careers/. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity and lived experience. We strongly encourage applications from people whose identities are underrepresented in the sectors where DG works. DG does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.