Data Scientist (Predictive Analytics), P3 – Rome, Italy
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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
Are you an experienced Data Specialist interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?
If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications must be submitted by Sunday, 26 February 2023 (11:59 PM CET).
WHO WE ARE
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.
WHY JOIN US?
- WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
- WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment
- WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
- A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
- We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)
THE ROLE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Hunger Monitoring Unit (RAMAH) in WFP’s Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Division manages WFP’s global hunger monitoring systems, building upon the successes of the mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) initiative. This entails the establishment and oversight of WFP’s remote food security monitoring systems in dozens of countries, as well as developing and refining advanced analytical approaches – including predictive analytics capacities for nowcasting and forecasting food security indicators.
Data from these systems flows into the HungerMap LIVE (hungermap.wfp.org), WFP’s global hunger monitoring system. This information is also published through Global and Regional Insights and Key Trends reports and other related resources, enabling decision makers to monitor the situation effectively and adopt early mitigation actions.
RAMAH seeks a data scientist to lead the Unit’s work on predictive analytics and manage the data science team. The lead data scientist will collaborate extensively with internal and external partners and will be responsible for designing and coordinating research projects to develop predictive analytics methodologies for food security monitoring. The incumbent will also play a key role in identifying opportunities to achieve Zero Hunger and lead data innovation efforts producing predictive analytics tools for improving humanitarian and development programmes.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
- Oversee the Unit’s work and strategy on predictive analytics, data science, and other relevant research and innovation areas and manage/supervise a team of data scientists.
- Design, coordinate and manage research projects on predictive analytics for food security monitoring, including the development of Machine-learning models for estimating food security indicators and assessing the correlation between food insecurity and its drivers.
- Design and oversee a strategy of technical engagement for the Unit’s predictive analytics work: identify relevant fundraising and grant opportunities, relevant actors, and research groups the Unit should engage with, etc. This includes maintaining the ongoing research collaborations with universities, research institutes and other UN agencies.
- Write technical project proposals and grant applications for predictive analytics and other research and innovation projects.
- Coordinate with other workstream leads (e.g., software development, continuous monitoring), as well as other unit within RAMAH and WFP as needed to carry out transversal projects and tasks.
- Participate in scientific and humanitarian conferences, workshops and meetings to present the Unit’s predictive analytics work and to keep up do date on the latest advances in AI, data science and predictive modeling, and their applications in food security monitoring.
- Participate in working groups within WFP and with external partners on predictive analytics and AI for food security.
- Produce internal documentation and sensitization material on predictive analytics and its demystification.
- Travel to WFP country offices and regional bureaus to carry out sensitization and training activities on these topics.
Deliverables:
- Overall management of the predictive analytics workstream.
- Methods and code for predictive models for food security monitoring developed.
- Scientific paper(s) submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
- Project proposals and grant applications developed and submitted.
- Presentations and communicationadvocacy materials on the Unit’s predictive analytics work developed and delivered.
- Trainings and/or sensitization activities on predictive analytics and data science facilitated; field missions undertaken as needs arise.
QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS
Education:
You have:
- Advanced university degree in mathematics, computer science, data science, physics, or similar quantitative field.
Experience:
You have:
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in data science is required. Experience managing a team is required.
Language:
You have:
Fluency (level C) in the English language.
Desirable:
- Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).
MORE ABOUT YOU
- Proficient knowledge in predictive modelling, machine learning and applied statistics is required Experience in managing partnerships and research projects is required.
- Experience in developing predictive analytics methodologies is required.
- Python programming skills and experience with data science libraries (pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, etc.) is required.
- Understanding of databases (SQL and/or noSQL) and developer tools (git, aws, docker, etc.) is required.
- Experience with Remote Sensing data and GIS skills (QGIS) is preferred.
- Experience working with the humanitarian sector or in a social science field is preferred.
- Experience in communicating data science projects to non-technical audience would be an asset.
FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
| Leads by Example with Integrity | Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments | Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork | Applies Strategic Thinking | Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships |
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Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others |
Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change |
Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth |
Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things |
Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives |
Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
- Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
- Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
- Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
- Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
- Please contact us at wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
- Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A Limited Fixed-Term Appointment (LFT) position is a non-mobile staff appointment in the international professional category for a limited period of up to 2 years.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.
The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.
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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment
WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
