Full Stack Data Scientist I/II

Job Description

FULLSTACK DATA SCIENTIST I/II

Location: Rabat, Morocco (preferred) or Dakar, Senegal (preferred); open to other IDinsight office locations (Nairobi, Kenya; New Delhi, India; Manila, Philippines; Lusaka, Zambia)

IDinsight is hiring full-time full-stack junior data scientists (1 to 4 years of relevant experience) to grow our machine learning, LLM, and broader data science capabilities. In this role, the data scientist will work with project teams and clients to use advanced analytics to drive social impact. You may build models that help locate out-of-school children, LLM-powered co-pilot for teachers or healthworkers, or agentic solutions to help citizens access benefits. We are a social-impact-oriented organization, so we can guarantee incredibly meaningful work tackling some of the world's most complex international development challenges.

Grow as a data scientist while doing meaningful work

We are a growing and entrepreneurial data science team trying to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges. Our work combines product development and consulting- we design and build contextually relevant tools as well as support partners in using them effectively on the ground.

This role offers end-to-end involvement: from problem scoping and tool design, to deployment, and providing hands-on support to our partners. You will get to work closely with our partners, as well as with a multidisciplinary team- including economists, social sector experts, and public health specialists- to create practical, impactful tools that solve some of the world's most urgent problems.

Learning is a key part of being a data scientist. 10% of your time would be dedicated to learning new skills and side projects of your choice. You'll have strong mentorship to guide your data science career, and you'll make interesting and valuable connections.

About the Role

We are seeking candidates with a strong background in Python and core data science skills, and a passion for building solutions to difficult social problems. Ideal candidates should possess the ability to work independently to solve complex challenges related to both human and technology and be able to quickly learn new tools, technologies, or programming languages as needed.

As a junior data scientist, the day-to-day work may include:

• Working with clients to understand their needs: Understanding their current processes and pain points and identifying which of these can be framed as a tractable data science problem.
• Designing, testing, and improving various algorithms: From OOTB sci-kit-learn algorithms to bespoke ones.
• Working with Large Language Models to build reliable and safe AI solutions
• Working on various parts of the solutions - frontend, backend, deployment, etc.
• Using satellite imagery and geospatial tools to identify suitable land parcels for solar parks
• Using solvers to optimize resource allocation for a health or education system.
• Synthesising, visualizing, and communicating results: Dashboards, plots, interactive viz, presentations and reports
• Write blog posts or present on lesson learned

Required Technical Qualifications

• Proficiency working in Python is required. Please do not apply if you are not proficient in standard data science packages in Python (numpy, pandas, scikit learn, etc.). The application will ask you specific questions about your Python abilities.
• Proficiency in understanding and coding standard supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms and components of the data science pipeline - data cleaning, feature selection, cross-validation, parameter tuning, etc.
• Experience building solutions using Large Language Model
• Sound foundations in statistics and probability.
• Working knowledge of SQL
• B.S./B.S.E. degree in Applied Math, Data Science, Computer Science, Physics, or a Similar Technical Field

Other required qualifications:

• Proven ability to work alone and with teams in a dynamic, multicultural environment.
• Passion for improving lives through evidence-informed policy.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English. Fluency in languages spoken in countries where IDinsight works is a plus.
• Strong values aligned with IDinsight's stated values.
• Ability and interest in sharing knowledge, mentoring others, presenting work and reviewing the work of others.
• Deeply passionate about global development and improving lives in disadvantaged populations.
• Open-minded self-starter who will thrive while tackling new, unusual and unpredictable challenges.

Preferred Qualifications

The most competitive applicants will also have experience in one or more of the following:

• Experience living and working in developing country settings.
• Experience working on optimization and unsupervised learning problems.
• Experience working with SQL, custom APIs and AWS products like RDS, EC2, and Lambda.
• Experience working with GIS software such as QGIS.
• Experience working with satellite imagery / remote sensing data.
• Professional proficiency in French (written and spoken) is a plus.

Locations

This position is preferably based in Rabat, Morocco or Dakar, Senegal. Candidates based in other IDinsight office locations (including Nairobi, Kenya; New Delhi, India; Manila, Philippines; Lusaka, Zambia) may also be considered for a strong match. Preference will be given to those with pre-existing work authorization in these countries; however, IDinsight will seek work permits where possible for exceptional candidates.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with relevant experience and background and is competitive within the social sector. Please note that, as a non-profit, we are unable to provide compensation similar to leading technology firms.

Start Dates

The start date of this position is flexible, although there is the potential to start almost immediately. We expect a minimum one-year commitment, with regular professional development conversations and potential for a long-term career at IDinsight.

How to apply

Please click the Apply for this job online button at the top right. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The application asks various questions for us to get to know you and requires a CV.

More information, including details on IDinsight's hiring process and frequently asked questions, can be found online at IDinsight Careers. Any queries should be directed to [Confidential Information]

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