Data Scientist

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 employees, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to upholding human dignity and advocating for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC's mission is to ensure that those affected by crises receive the help they need, and it strives to innovate and improve the effectiveness of humanitarian aid through various initiatives, including the CLEAR Project.

Job Overview:
The scientist" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Data Scientist position is a pivotal role within NRC's CLEAR Project, which aims to transform the humanitarian sector's approach to crisis anticipation and response through the use of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. The successful candidate will leverage machine learning and advanced analytics to develop predictive models that identify crisis patterns and forecast humanitarian needs. This role requires the ability to synthesize complex, multimodal data from various sources into actionable insights that will empower crisis response teams to make informed, life-saving decisions. The Data Scientist will work closely with the AI Lead and a global network of technical experts to design, train, and optimize models that address real-world humanitarian challenges, ensuring that the solutions developed are ethical, interpretable, and aligned with NRC's policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Scientist will be responsible for analyzing complex datasets from multiple sources to uncover trends and insights that inform humanitarian decision-making. Key duties include developing predictive and machine learning models to forecast crises and humanitarian needs, designing and maintaining automated data pipelines and analytical frameworks, and creating real-time dashboards for both field and leadership use. The role also involves collaborating with program teams, data engineers, and partners to translate operational challenges into analytical solutions, leading systematic mapping of datasets, establishing academic collaborations, and contributing to the data architecture and model monitoring systems of the CLEAR Project. Additionally, the Data Scientist will ensure that AI solutions are ethical and bias-mitigated, support the creation of early warning systems, and perform any other related duties as assigned by the Technical Lead.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or a related quantitative field, along with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in applied data science. Proficiency in Python for statistical analysis and machine learning is essential, with experience in key libraries such as pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras. Strong SQL skills for database management and complex query optimization are required, as well as hands-on experience with supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, including regression models, classification techniques, clustering methods, and time series analysis. Candidates should also have experience designing and implementing ETL pipelines, skills in data cleaning and quality assurance processes, and the ability to create automated reporting systems and dashboards using tools like Tableau or PowerBI.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or a related quantitative field is required for this position. This educational background should provide a solid foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data manipulation, which are critical for the role.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in applied data science. This experience should include working with large, messy datasets and implementing machine learning algorithms in real-world scenarios. Familiarity with model deployment and MLOps practices is also important, as is experience with natural language processing techniques and ensemble methods.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to work in diverse environments and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Oslo, with the possibility of working from NRC Representation Offices in London, Brussels, Berlin, or other European countries such as France, Italy, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands. Candidates must have the legal right to live and work in any of these countries, as NRC will not provide sponsorship for visas or work permits. The contract duration is 2 years, with an expected travel requirement of 10%. The salary will be based on NRC's Resident salary scale, and the organization is committed to diversity and equal opportunities in its hiring practices.