(Senior) Data Scientist

Freelancer, Full-time · Dakar, Remote

ABOUT THE TEAM

The World Data Lab Team is based in Nairobi, Kenya, where a passionate group of data enthusiasts leads our regional initiatives. We also have team members located in Kigali, Rwanda closely collaborating across the borders. Due to our expanding collaborations and efforts in Africa, company is currently expanding our team also in the West region.

The Africa Data Team focuses on addressing youth employment challenges in the continent. In collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, we created the Africa Youth Employment Clock (africayouthjobs.io), which provides an in-depth view of the labor market for young people. The tool tracks key metrics such as employment, unemployment, student status, and inactivity, along with forecasts and regional insights to highlight youth employment trends across the continent.
Additionally, our Africa data Team works closely with the global team on projects like consumer spending analysis and other important economic research. By using advanced data methodologies, we aim to improve decision-making and create meaningful impact across Africa and beyond.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a (Senior) Data Scientist in our team, you will be leading technical efforts to enhance data modelling and insights for the Mastercard Foundation partnership, helping stakeholders achieve youth employment goals. Drive the adoption of advanced methodologies to provide actionable, granular insights. You will oversee data-driven initiatives that support youth employment and labor market analytics in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. You will play a key role in designing advanced data models, mentoring junior team members, and delivering actionable insights for policymakers, private sector partners, and development organizations.

Due to our collaboration plans, this position has to be based in West Africa, with strong preference in Dakar, Senegal.

THE CHALLENGE

Data Modeling and Advanced Analytics:

Design, develop, and implement advanced statistical and machine learning models to forecast labor market trends and identify key employment opportunities.
Integrate diverse datasets, including demographic, economic, and labor market data, to produce granular insights at national and subnational levels.
Evaluate and refine existing forecasting methodologies to ensure accuracy, scalability, and relevance.

Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance:

Lead and guide the team in data preprocessing, validation, and analysis to ensure high-quality outputs.
Review and enhance code quality and analytical rigor, ensuring adherence to best practices in collaborative coding (e.g., GitHub).
Establish and maintain robust data pipelines and workflows.

Visualization and Reporting:

Create compelling data visualizations, dashboards, and presentations tailored to diverse audiences, including policymakers, private sector leaders, and NGOs.
Lead the production of blogs, reports, and other publications showcasing project findings and insights.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Capacity Building:

Engage with partners and stakeholders to align project deliverables with strategic goals and local needs.
Mentor junior data scientists, providing technical guidance and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
Represent WDL at high-profile conferences, webinars, and workshops, showcasing thought leadership in data science and labor market insights.

YOUR PROFILE

Required:

Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, or a related field.
4+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or a related field.
Fluency in French to support collaborations in West Africa is necessary
Fluent in English as company communication language
Proven track record of delivering complex data-driven projects and actionable insights.
Knowledge of African labor markets, policies, and socio-economic dynamics.
Proficiency in Python and/or R for advanced data modeling, analysis, and visualization.
Expertise in statistical and machine learning methodologies, including forecasting models, clustering, and regression analysis.
Experience with data visualization tools and advanced proficiency in MS Excel.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate complex data insights into actionable strategies for diverse stakeholders.
Strategic thinker with a proactive mindset and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Nice-to-have:

PhD. degree
Familiarity with geospatial data analysis and spatial modeling is a plus.
Experience working in a startup, high-growth, or international development environment.
Experience in a leadership role managing teams and projects.

OUR OFFER

An opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects addressing critical challenges in Africa, such as youth employment and economic development.
Work within a dynamic, mission-driven, and supportive team environment.
Competitive compensation and benefits package.
Professional development opportunities, including access to advanced tools, training, and global networking.
Flexible working hours and remote work options.

OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Initial Screening: A quick chat with our People & Culture Team to understand your background and expectations.
Technical Assessment (if applicable Case Study): Meet with the Technical team and Hiring Manager, get to know each other from a technical perspective and a short task to showcase your technical skills to the team.
Technical Interview: Meet some of our other colleagues to dive into your solution and your expertise, as also discuss a team fit.
Final Steps: Then you receive a feedback and if successful, an offer! Please note, depending on role complexity, final conversation with someone from leadership might be needed but you get all the insights from our People & Culture Team on time.

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About us

World Data Lab (WDL), founded in 2014 in Vienna, Austria by visionary economic thought leaders and technologists, is a forward-thinking data science SaaS company on a mission of "Making Everyone Count." We are dedicated to revolutionizing how the world understands and leverages data, ensuring that every individual, organization, and community has access to the insights they need to thrive. By using state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed methodologies and artificial intelligence, we deliver the most accurate models and forecasts on global spending power and demographic trends. Our proprietary data models enable businesses, organizations, and the general public to make informed decisions—whether optimizing labor market policies or identifying emerging high-growth markets.
With a focus on creating meaningful impact, WDL’s leading products—including population.io, worldpoverty.io, worldhunger.io, and World Data Pro—have already reached millions worldwide, democratizing access to critical data.

At World Data Lab, we are looking for talented, driven individuals who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments. If you're passionate about solving complex challenges and making a global impact, we want you on our team!

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We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for your interest in World Data Lab. Please fill out the following short form. Should you have difficulties with the upload of your data, please send an email to recruiting@worlddata.io.