Data Scientist

Title: Data Scientist

Reporting Unit/Supervisor: Impact team

Location: Remote. Preferred in Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique,

Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Nigeria

Grade: 9

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Travel: Possible International up to 10%

TechnoServe Background:

Founded over 50 years ago, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private

sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty. A nonprofit organization operating in 29

countries, we work with enterprising men and women in the developing world to build

competitive farms, businesses and industries. By linking people to information, capital and

markets, we have helped millions to create lasting prosperity for their families and communities.

Team Overview:

The Global Impact team has the mandate to make TechnoServe an industry-leader of the

responsible use of data to manage effectively, generate insight, and drive innovation for fighting

poverty. Specifically, the team integrates with project teams to provide advanced direct technical

assistance. Having a global Impact team, external to project reporting lines, creates value for

TechnoServe and its donor by allowing all projects to have advanced technical skills embedded

in the team without hiring a full time team member, rapidly deploy best-in-class data platforms,

provide objective backstopping, and connecting the project to global learning initiatives.

Additionally, the Impact team runs TechnoServe’s global results reporting systems, leads

working groups, and runs other initiatives to ensure data and results across the organization are

valid.

The team has two components: A Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) leadership team,

and a MEL Technology team. The MEL Leadership team is composed of Senior MEL Managers

that each support a portfolio of 10-20 projects in the design and implementation of MEL

activities. The MEL Technology team is composed of Data Scientists who work hand-in-hand

with the Senior MEL Managers to develop and deploy data platforms and support the effective

use of data throughout the life of the project.

Position Description

The Data Scientist will support a collection of projects (mostly clustered within their region) by

customizing TechnoServes’ standard MEL technology approach to the requirements and

operational context of each project. This is an iterative process that requires strong

communication skills and taking a user-centered design approach. Once the system is

deployed, the Data Scientist will support effective management, reporting, and insight

generation through creating dashboards, analysis, and products that allow project teams to

engage their data. In addition to direct project support, the Data Scientist will help advance

global best practices and the standardization of MEL systems, investigate emerging

technologies, and participate in global working groups. While this is a technical role, success

hinges on integrating with projects, understanding their context and needs, successfully

collaborating, and ultimately delivering an excellent customer experience. Strong soft skills are

therefore critical.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Data Scientist will provide the following support to projects:

• Develop MEL tech for new projects. This requires working with the project team and Senior MEL Manager to identify the proper data structure, ICT tools, and use cases to respond to a project’s needs, then configuring the standard MEL Tech platform and integrating other technology as needed.
• Support effective adoption of MEL tech by providing onboarding and ongoing training to project teams. Modify the system as the project evolves and develop data utilization tools such as dashboards that respond to emerging needs.
• Provide strong backstopping support to project-level MEL staff in data management, data quality, and data privacy.
• Verify key performance results and institute data quality checks.
• Perform regular file archiving and manage Google Team Drive folders in collaboration with MEL Managers and Regional MEL Manager. The Data Scientist will collaborate on these global initiatives:
• Refine and roll out MEL tech standards and best practices in collaboration with the Global Impact Team and practice areas.
• Participation in the MEL tech community of practice in order to capacity and elevate emerging talent within the organization. Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree with a technical major, such as engineering or computer science, Information Technology and/or Software Engineering, plus a minimum of seven years of experience in systems administration, with particular emphasis on data management for business analytics, monitoring & evaluation, or other business needs that require close to real-time data use; or Master’s degree with five years relevant experience.
• Required technical skills (the tools used as part of TechnoServe’s standard approach are given in parentheses and preference will be given to candidates with specific experience in these): o Database development and administration (Google Big Query, SQL) o No code app building for CRM-style data tools (AppSheets) o Data visualization tools (e.g.Looker) o Experience using mobile data collection tools (CommCare) o Advanced proficiency in Google Suite and/or MS Office
• Strong soft skills including communication, teamwork, and active listening.

• Experience with MEL field work and/or the implementation of economic development projects similar to TechnoServe’s work.
• Strong attention to detail; specifically, with data quality/cleaning techniques
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once and work independently and remotely to prioritize requests from project teams.
• Ability to proactively identify and address complex problems in a way that responds to end user needs.
• Ability to explain complex technology to users of all ability levels in a way that is respectful and engaging.
• Strong cross-cultural skills; deep respect for and collaborative spirit working with people of all educational, socio-economic, demographic backgrounds, and lifestyles.
• Fluency in business English. Ability to speak French, Spanish, or Portuguese will be an advantage
• Willingness to travel regionally 10% of the time. Collaboration with staff based in other countries will require flexible work schedules.