Senior Data Scientist

Job Description

About the Organization

Raising The Village exists because we believe that together we can find straightforward solutions to complex problems of inequality. Together, we can achieve what is impossible alone. Our story is borne as a result of two deep convictions: ultra poverty is the worst form of inequality in our world; we have the opportunity to end ultra poverty in our generation.

Since our inception, we have focused our work on partnering with last-mile, rural communities in Uganda to develop initiatives that pave the pathway out of ultra-poverty towards economic self-sufficiency. We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to make choices and have a real chance at life. Through our partnerships we resource, guide, train, and equip ultra-poor families to make empowering decisions, access new opportunities, and shape their future.

Our work and success is the result of cross cultural collaboration between our staff and village partners, the local and federal government of Uganda, and experts from around the globe all working together. Fuelled by the support of our donors, we cumulatively reached 1 million people living in ultra-poverty in 2024.

Job Summary

The Senior Data Scientist is both a strategic and hands-on role, focusing on advancing our data science roadmap, building smart and scalable products, and elevating the department’s machine learning maturity. The successful candidate will bring a blend of technical excellence, visionary thinking, and strong leadership to shape how Venn uses data to predict, inform, and deliver meaningful outcomes. The role requires a deep understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data science methodologies to provide actionable insights and improve overall efficiency.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic AI and ML Leadership

• Champion the organisation’s AI and ML strategy, aligning technical capabilities with organisational goals and impact metrics.
• Lead the development of flagship AI solutions such as climate risk engines, household vulnerability scoring, crop diagnostics, and more. 
• Foster a roadmap of experimentation and continuous learning, including internal pilots and partnerships with research and academic institutions.

Technical Oversight and Model Development

• Lead end-to-end development of robust machine learning models — from data discovery and feature engineering to deployment and monitoring. 
• Build models that go beyond outputs to predict outcomes, evaluate counterfactuals, and support early warning systems like risk assessments. 
• Ensure all models are explainable, ethical, and responsive to field realities in low-data environments.

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Supervise and mentor a cross-functional team of data scientists, ML engineers, and data engineers. 
• Cultivate a strong culture of collaboration, technical growth, and continuous innovation.
• Guide peer learning and internal capacity building across Venn and program teams. 

Product Integration and Scale

• Work with product managers, software engineers, and other teams to integrate AI/ML features into digital platforms used by field teams. 
• Support the development of real-time analytics tools and advisory systems that are accessible, reliable, and actionable at the last mile. 

Innovation, Partnership, & Influence

• Represent Venn’s AI capabilities internally and externally to build visibility and partnerships that enhance our innovation portfolio. 
• Stay ahead of emerging trends in AI, ML, and data science and translate relevant advances into RTV’s context.

Educational Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Economics, or a related field. 
• At least 4 years of experience in predictive analytics, AI, machine learning, or data science.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, or Julia.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn) and big data technologies. 
• Expertise in statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and algorithm development.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Matplotlib.
• Knowledge of cloud-based AI services (e.g., AWS, Google AI, Azure Machine Learning)
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills with a results-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to evolving priorities. 
• Experience in applied AI within social impact, healthcare, or rural development contexts is desirable.

Personal Qualities

• Highly motivated and proactive with a passion for data-driven innovation. 
• Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail. 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Enthusiastic about applying AI and predictive analytics for social good. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplace practices.