Data Scientist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries and employs thousands of individuals who are committed to its mission. WFP's core values include Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, and it strives to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. WFP is also a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, which underscores its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts globally. The organization invests in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, providing opportunities for career advancement across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The scientist" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Data Scientist position at WFP is a critical role within the Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) division, specifically in the Individual Fundraising Team. The primary function of this role is to leverage advanced analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and predictive modeling to enhance fundraising performance and long-term donor engagement. The Data Scientist will transform large and complex datasets into actionable insights and predictive models that will inform strategic decision-making and optimize fundraising efforts. This position requires collaboration with various teams, including fundraising, digital, technology, business intelligence, and data engineering, to ensure that data-driven recommendations are effectively implemented. The role is designed for someone who is passionate about using data science to drive impactful humanitarian outcomes and improve the effectiveness of fundraising initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Scientist will report to the Head of Insights and Strategic Enablement and will be responsible for a range of tasks including: providing data science, machine learning, and AI services to support global data and analytics priorities; deriving insights from large-scale datasets; collaborating with stakeholders to translate business needs into analytical solutions; designing, building, training, evaluating, and deploying machine learning models; applying advanced AI techniques such as natural language processing and retrieval-augmented generation; performing exploratory data analysis and model optimization; implementing data science models in collaboration with tech and product teams; reviewing model performance and maintaining a repository of solutions; and contributing to the wider community of data scientists within WFP. The Data Scientist will also be expected to develop a data science pipeline for Individual Fundraising and continually enhance data science infrastructure and capabilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of six years of relevant experience along with a university degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field. Demonstrated experience in working with large-scale datasets and building machine learning or AI solutions is essential. Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern data science tools is considered advantageous. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R is crucial, along with a solid understanding of statistical concepts and traditional machine learning techniques. Candidates should also have strong experience in sentiment analysis, natural language processing, and AI workflows, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively in a multicultural team.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complex data science methodologies and statistical techniques that will be applied in the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six years of relevant experience in data science, machine learning, or a related field. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with large datasets and developing AI solutions that drive business outcomes. Experience in the humanitarian sector or with non-profit organizations is a plus, as it provides context for the application of data science in addressing global challenges.

Languages:
Proficiency in English (reading, writing, and speaking) is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a Regular Consultant (CST) role with a duration of 11 months. The duty station is primarily remote, although the administrative base is in Rome, Italy. WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization emphasizes an inclusive work environment and does not charge any fees in connection with the application process. Candidates are encouraged to apply through the online recruiting system, ensuring that their profiles are complete and accurate.