Humanitarian Data Scientist, USAID Data Services

DevTech Systems, Inc. (DevTech) is an international consulting firm dedicated to development, with 39 years of experience providing advisory services and technical assistance to government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in more than 100 countries. DevTech core practice areas include: Monitoring Evaluation, Research and Learning; Data Solutions; Public Financial Management and Fiscal Sustainability; and Education, Gender, and Youth. 

At DevTech, we care deeply about doing work that leads to positive change in the world. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to an inclusive environment. We empower our employees to work autonomously and simultaneously give them the professional support that they need to learn and grow. 

DevTech is looking for a Humanitarian Data Scientist to work as an institutional contractor on its Analytics, Data, Visualization, and Information Services 2.0 (ADVISE 2.0) contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). ADVISE 2.0 staff comprise much of the USAID Data Services team, led by USAID’s Chief Data Officer (CDO) and situated in USAID’s Bureau for Management, Office of the Chief Information Officer (M/CIO).  

The Humanitarian Data Scientist will work with the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). This role will perform data scientist functions as an integral staff member in the humanitarian assistance data space. To succeed in this position, you need to be curious, creative and tech savvy. You need to stay up to date with data programming software and apps, have outstanding understanding of statistics and mathematics, and be proficient in writing algorithms. Top candidates will be persistent and have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. 

This position’s place of performance is Washington D.C. Remote work has been authorized for this position.     

About the Team  

USAID Data Services’ core values are:  

• We are passionate, ambitious and care deeply about our work and the USAID mission.  
• We are serious about meeting the needs of our customers.  
• We are funny. We have fun. And we are human.  
• We communicate and close feedback loops.  
• We are proactive. We do not wait for success to come find us.  
• We are a team who is committed to each other.  

In keeping with these core values, we respect and encourage an inclusive and diverse environment in which we see our differences as strengths. We are a team of motivated and responsible self-starters that enjoy working in a team-oriented environment. We are always looking for ways to grow, through feedback, learning, and collaboration.  

• Proactively address data analytics challenges in our organization, collect large volumes of data from varying sources, clean and interpret data, create solutions to overcome challenges and communicate with interested parties. 
• Observes current processes and proposes creative solutions to existing challenges. 

• Collect and interpret data. 
• Automate and integrate processes. 
• Research solutions to overcome data analytics challenges. 
• Develop complex mathematical models that integrate business rules and requirements. 
• Create machine learning models. 
• Communicate and meet with engineers, IT teams and other interested parties. 
• Share complex ideas verbally and visually in an understandable manner with non-technical stakeholders. 
• Provide technical advice to BHA and partners on data science, machine learning and AI by BHA partners. 

General 

• May be requested to be on-call or serve as needed on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary. 
• May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions. 
• As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided. 
• In compliance with USAID and contractor policies and procedures, consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind. 

• Actively participate in diversity and harassment training opportunities, brown bag sessions or focus group discussions, and workforce diversity initiatives/activities focused on helping to improve the organizational culture. 
• Demonstrate consistent accountability for adherence to and knowledge of laws, executive orders, and USAID’s policies which prohibit Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and non-EEO infringements as well as the Agency’s zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, including harassment, exploitation, and abuse of any kind. Understand reporting criteria and report up in a timely manner. 
• Ensure that conduct is not inappropriate or offensive to others by responsibly and intentionally creating a culture of civility and respect whereby both managers and employees are expected to behave professionally at all times. 
• Hold self and others accountable for adhering to a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any form, bullying or any other prohibited behaviors and report objectionable conduct. 
• Assists staff in understanding the value of differing perspectives, cultural norms, and gender in the work environment. 

• An MSc or PhD degree in Applied Mathematics or Statistics. 
• 14+ years industry experience. Education may substitute for years of experience. 
• Advanced coursework in machine learning and programming. 
• Experience using data visualization tools. 
• Experience with data querying languages, and statistical or mathematical software. 
• Proficient in writing algorithms and knowing when to apply them. 
• Excellent understanding of statistics, multi-variable calculus and linear algebra. 
• Experience with machine learning and AI 
• Experience applying advanced data science techniques to address humanitarian challenges. 
• Outstanding communication skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work well in a diverse team. 

The candidate must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for the required U.S. government security clearance for this project. 

NOTE: This job posting should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the exclusive standards of the position nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor. 
 
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (40 and older), physical and mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history) or characteristics, military status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship or alienage, or any other protected status as established by applicable federal, state, or local law.