Lead Data Scientist

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 6 July 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome) WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability. ABOUT WFP The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok. WHY JOIN WFP? WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment. WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities. A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe. We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement). JOB TITLE: Lead Data Scientist TYPE OF CONTRACT: Regular CST Level II UNIT/DIVISION: Geospatial and Intelligence Unit (PRG-FG) / Programme Division (PRG) DUTY STATION (City, Country): Remote work from home station (Marche, Italy) DURATION: To 31-Dec-2026 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT: Earth Observation data is a fundamental component of the analytical activities of the Geospatial and Intelligence Unit (PRG-FG) of the Programme Division (PRG), as it provides a range of crucial information products for all of WFP’s areas of the disaster response cycle, in particular for the countries under corporate scale-up. The Geospatial and Intelligence Unit (PRG-FG) deals with a wide variety of Earth Observation data from low resolution, long record, high frequency variables (rainfall, vegetation indices, land surface temperature) to very high (sub-meter) resolution data, as well as high-frequency, field scale resolution multi-spectral and SAR data from Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 platforms. These data sets have diverse applications from monitoring of drought or extreme rainfall conditions to detection of changes in refugee/IDP camps and signs of conflict, as well as high granularity assessments of natural hazard impacts, mapping of cropland and crop types. An area of emerging interest is the application of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to develop synergistic approaches involving the usage of diverse types of Earth Observation data (medium resolution, high resolution Sentinels, Very High-Resolution commercial data) with a view to overcome technical challenges due to large data volumes, heavy storage requirements and complex processing. WFP is currently facing a situation where the increase in need for food assistance due to the impacts of conflict and climate change, significantly outstrips the resources available to address those needs. Improved geographic targeting and prioritization is therefore another area of increasing importance for which the organization is seeking to harness Earth Observation technologies in a more systematic manner, with the aim to develop scalable solutions for better precision in the selection of communities and households for WFP’s and partners’ assistance. Reporting to the Head of PRG-FG, WFP is seeking a consultant senior data scientist to design the Unit’s strategy on the application of machine learning for earth observation and manage the team’s data scientists. The consultant will identify strategic opportunities for research projects to develop data science methodologies for food security monitoring, targeting and prioritization using satellite/climate data, potentially in combination with other sources of data and information. The consultant will also play a key role in leading data innovation efforts producing data science tools for decision making. ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Review and develop the Unit’s work and strategy on machine learning, data science, and other relevant research and innovation areas. Identify and scope out strategic opportunities for research projects to develop data science methodologies for food security analysis using satellite/climate data, potentially in combination with other sources of data and information. Coordinate with other PRG-FG workstream leads (e.g. Climate Risk Applications; Natural Hazards and Impacts; Resilience and Livelihoods; Emergency Coordination) as needed to carry out transversal projects and tasks. Identify, scope out and contribute to the implementation of potential improvements to the Unit’s technical processes and pipeline architecture to streamline and productionize data science and engineering deployments. Supervise and mentor other Data Scientists in the Unit, review opportunities for PRG-FG analytical staff professional development and career growth. Lead the coordination of the broader data science and engineering community in the global Service to encourage standardization of methods and tools and coordination of research work. Design and oversee a strategy of technical engagement for the Unit’s machine learning for earth observation work. This includes maintaining ongoing engagements, for example with ESA, NASA, CERN, LIST, IBM, Microsoft, Google etc, identifying relevant fundraising opportunities, writing technical project proposals and grant applications for predictive analytics and other research and innovation projects. Write and/or supervise the writing of technical papers and reports to be submitted to peer-reviewed international journals, as the opportunity arises. Participate and/or facilitate the Unit’s participation in scientific and humanitarian conferences, workshops, and meetings to present the Unit’s data science work and to keep up to date on the latest advances in AI, data science and earth observation, and their applications to food security monitoring, targeting and prioritization. DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT: Overall supervision, direction and guidance provided to the data scientists in the Unit. Reports and/or documentation outlining: The pursuit of strategic opportunities for research projects to develop data science methodologies for food security monitoring using satellite/climate data, potentially in combination with other sources of data and information. Potential improvements to the Unit’s technical processes and pipeline architecture to streamline and productionize data science and engineering deployments. Opportunities for PRG-FG analytical staff professional development and career growth. Evidence of progress in the implementation of the top priority, high-impact research projects and/or deployment process restructuring. As the need arises, methods and code for machine learning for earth observation developed, scientific paper(s) submitted to peer-reviewed journals, project proposals and grant applications developed and submitted, presentations on the Unit’s data science work developed and delivered. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Education: Advanced university degree in mathematics, computer science, physics, or similar quantitative field. Experience: Minimum 8 years in data science related fields. Knowledge & Skills: Proficient knowledge in predictive modelling, machine learning and applied statistics and experience in leading research projects. Experience in writing scientific papers and project proposals. Python programming skills and experience with data science libraries (pandas, numpy, scikit-learn, etc.). Understanding of databases (SQL and/or noSQL) and developer tools (git, aws, docker, etc.). Experience with Remote Sensing and GIS skills (QGIS) is an asset. Experience working with the humanitarian sector or in a social science field is an asset. Language: Excellent spoken and written English. WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission. Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [email protected] NO FEE DISCLAIMER The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel. We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application. If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply. At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process. All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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