Data Scientist - Gender Data Lab

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. It consolidates the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to advocate for women's rights and gender equality, and works in various countries to support the implementation of policies and programs that promote gender equality. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring a respectful environment for all employees, regardless of their background.

Job Overview:
The scientist" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Data Scientist will play a crucial role in the establishment and operation of the Gender Data Lab, a platform designed to centralize, analyze, and disseminate gender-specific statistics using modern data science and artificial intelligence tools. This position involves working closely with the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) in Senegal, contributing to the technical implementation of the lab. The Data Scientist will be responsible for diagnosing the functional and technical aspects of the lab, defining priority use cases for artificial intelligence, and developing data preparation and transformation pipelines. The role requires collaboration with various experts to ensure the integration of AI functionalities into the platform, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and usability of gender data for public policy development and evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Scientist will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Participating in the functional and technical diagnosis of the Gender Data Lab and defining priority AI use cases.
• Designing data preparation, transformation, and exploitation pipelines for gender-specific statistical data.
• Developing models for automated analysis, synthesis, and interpretation of statistical data.
• Implementing AI components of the platform, including an intelligent user assistance chatbot.
• Structuring and maintaining the knowledge base used by the chatbot, including statistical concepts, definitions, and methodological documentation.
• Creating intelligent search mechanisms and response generation based on statistical data and official documentation.
• Designing analytical indicators, summary tables, and decision-support methods for platform users.
• Evaluating the performance of developed models and ensuring continuous improvement.
• Documenting models, datasets, processing methods, and validation procedures. 1
• Collaborating closely with web developers, database managers, and other experts to integrate AI functionalities into the platform. 1
• Participating in pilot phases, user capacity building, and project implementation reporting. 1
• Executing any other related tasks as requested by project coordination.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong foundation in data science and artificial intelligence, with proficiency in Python and major data science ecosystems such as Pandas, NumPy, and Scikit-learn. They should have advanced statistical analysis skills, predictive modeling, machine learning, and deep learning expertise. Familiarity with modern generative AI techniques, relational and NoSQL databases, advanced SQL, ETL/ELT pipelines, and REST/GraphQL APIs is essential. Experience with big data technologies and collaborative development environments is also required. Knowledge of responsible AI principles, data governance, privacy, and bias reduction is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to gender sensitivity and inclusivity in their work.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree (Bac+5) in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field is required. This educational background should provide a solid understanding of data analysis, statistical methods, and the application of AI techniques in real-world scenarios.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of two years of professional experience in data science or artificial intelligence projects. This experience should include participation in projects involving the development of data analysis models, machine learning, or AI solutions for statistical production. Experience in developing open-source solutions or publishing scientific work would be an advantage, showcasing the candidate's ability to contribute to the field of data science effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required, with a good command of technical English being desirable. This language proficiency is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the international context of UN Women and its projects.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is based in Dakar, Senegal, requiring full-time presence at the ANSD office to access necessary technical infrastructure and databases. Occasional travel within Senegal may be required for coordination, data collection, or capacity-building activities, subject to prior agreement with UN Women. The position emphasizes the importance of collaboration, integrity, and professionalism, aligning with UN Women's core values.