IDB3485 - Senior Data Scientist

Job Purpose

Undertake advanced statistical and data science work. This includes compiling, harmonizing, developing, and disseminating key statistical indicators and predictive models to support evidence-based research and inform management decisions. Provide high-quality, timely statistics and data-driven insights that are crucial for guiding IsDB's operational strategies and enhancing country-level dialogues. A core part of the role involves ensuring that the IsDB website is updated with the latest, high-quality data and analytical insights on the bank's interventions and its member countries.

Additionally, the role develops and maintain robust databases, integrating big data technologies and advanced data analytics methods. It also involves promoting new data techniques, including machine learning, both within IsDB and across member countries, and coordinating with regional and international statistical agencies on global statistical initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

Policy and Strategy Planning:

• Contribute to the Division’s annual work plans, programs and activities.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies, policies, procedures, and guidelines of the IsDB Institute.

• Contribute to the development and effective implementation of the relevant frameworks and tools for the Economic Work under the Economic Research and Statistics programs of the IsDB Institute.

• Contribute to the effective risk management and country, vulnerability, and debt sustainability assessments of IsDB member countries.

Statistical Analysis:

• Utilize advanced visualization tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Tableau, Power BI) to transform raw data into interactive dashboards and easy-to-understand graphical representations.

• Develop and improve the aggregation techniques and methods to meet international standards and best practices.

• Refine and optimize code to improve efficiency and ensure scalability.

• Application and deployment of AI and Machine Learning techniques in data management, analysis, and quality control.

• Proactively seek and identify new datasets that align with the IsDB Group's needs.

• Compile data from Member Countries and other relevant third-party databases and official sources to produce appropriate data sets, key indicators, and aggregates for use by different departments across the IsDBG. • Develop appropriate methods for obtaining and organizing relevant data, with special emphasis on the areas of macroeconomic analysis for sustainable development to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

• Validate and ensure the credibility of the data compiled from the various official sources to ensure its accuracy, consistency, and comparability.

• Maintain and monitor the databases to ensure their accuracy and functionality to minimize risks and interruptions in operations.

• Timely response to the increasing demand for new and additional data sets to ensure efficient and effective decision-making for the IsDBG.

• Provide institutional support through statistical capacity development especially for the less developed countries to ensure capacity building for those countries.

• Contribute to the preparation of the data for the Bank’s Annual Report, Occasional and Research Papers.

• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination:

• Guide and facilitate the knowledge transfer of the Division’s analyses and findings to other employees within the IsDB Group and externally to Regional Hubs to ensure awareness.

• Contribute to and coordinate the annual and periodic events conducted by the IsDB Institute, such as Seminars, Regional workshops, NGOs seminars and capacity-building workshops.

• Participate in the preparation of statistical outputs and the Division’s publications and releases.

• Develop, participate in, and contribute to relevant internal and external training, conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building in member countries in collaboration with other regional and international organizations.

• Report IsDB operational data on the relevant Global Datasets and Global Reports.

• Organization of statistical events and statistical capacity development initiatives, including the OIC-STATCOM, regional workshops, seminars, etc.

Reporting:

• Prepare periodic and thematic statistical reports and contribute to the preparation of relevant reports for the use and information of internal and external parties.

• Coordinate with other stakeholders to present the reports and publications related to performance of Division’s programs.

Leadership and Mentoring:

• Mentor data scientist, guiding them in complex data projects and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Innovation and Strategic Contributions:

• Lead and contribute to strategic projects that leverage innovative data science methods to drive decision-making and policy formulation.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, data science, programming, information management or related fields.

• Minimum 8 years of experience in advanced economic analysis focusing on economic and developmental issues, of which 3 years in an international development institution or national statistical office.

Skills & Necessary Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge in descriptive, inferential, and advanced statistical applications.

• Ability to interpret and present statistical information in a user-friendly manner.

• Data Collection and Management.

• Strong understanding of the national accounts, balance of payments and government fiscal accounts.

• Good macroeconomic understanding of the relationships between variables, both within and across accounting systems.

• Excellent knowledge of the principal sources and retrieval systems of economic and social development data.

• Proficient in appropriate statistical software packages such as SPSS, STATA, R, PYTHON, Power BI, Tableau, etc.

• Advanced skills in collecting data, synthesizing data and maintaining databases.

• Advanced analytical thinking.

• Drive for Result.

• Accurate and methodical.

• Ability to work under pressure.

• MS Office skills.

Languages

• English - Mandatory

• Arabic - Preferred

• French - Preferred