Senior Data Scientist - US Department of State

Description

The Senior Data Scientist will support the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration’s Office of International Migration and Repatriation by providing advanced data science, analytics, modeling, forecasting, reporting, dashboarding, and data management support for the PRM Enterprise System.

PRiMES is a Department of State enterprise platform used to manage project funding, partner information, program data, financial plans, monitoring activities, reporting, and data visualizations. The Senior Data Scientist will help PRM and other Department users better understand humanitarian assistance data, partner performance, programmatic reporting, financial information, and global conditions affecting populations of concern.

This role will work with internal and external stakeholders to identify quantifiable policy and program questions, analyze complex datasets, develop predictive and statistical models, build dashboards and reports, and communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in data science, statistical modeling, machine learning, Python, R, SQL, business intelligence tools, and federal or mission-driven analytics environments.

Key Responsibilities

Data Science and Advanced Analytics

• Conduct in-depth data analyses to identify patterns, trends, relationships, anomalies, and insights within complex programmatic, financial, humanitarian, and operational datasets.
• Develop statistical models, predictive models, forecasting approaches, and advanced analytical techniques to support policy and program decision-making.
• Analyze large and complex datasets to help PRM and Department stakeholders better understand partner performance, program effectiveness, funding trends, humanitarian conditions, and operational needs.
• Translate broad mission questions into structured analytical approaches, measurable variables, and data-driven findings.
• Apply quantitative methods to support evidence-based decision-making across PRM and related Department users.

Dashboarding, Reporting and Data Visualization

• Develop, maintain, and enhance dashboards, visualizations, reports, and analytical products using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar business intelligence platforms.
• Standardize, manage, and visualize programmatic and financial reporting from partners in a centralized database and dashboard ecosystem.
• Support self-service humanitarian contextual dashboards that provide users with timely, unified, data-driven understanding of global situations affecting populations of concern.
• Create clear visualizations that allow users to evaluate partner performance, identify areas for improvement, and communicate programmatic success.
• Ensure charts, reports, dashboards, and data products are accurate, legible, well-formatted, and useful for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Support

• Work collaboratively with stakeholders inside and outside of PRM to identify key quantifiable questions and develop data-driven solutions.
• Engage with Government officials, policymakers, program staff, technical teams, and external partners to understand data needs and translate them into analytical products.
• Communicate findings, recommendations, risks, trends, and insights through dashboards, reports, briefings, presentations, and visual materials.
• Explain complex technical concepts in clear, accessible language for non-technical stakeholders.
• Support the Bureau’s mission to deliver humanitarian aid as efficiently and effectively as possible through improved analytics and decision support.

Data Management and Governance

• Develop and maintain data management systems, databases, data dictionaries, documentation, and analytical datasets.
• Support data quality, data security, privacy, accessibility, documentation, and governance best practices.
• Help standardize partner reporting, financial reporting, and programmatic reporting structures.
• Support data cleaning, transformation, validation, and integration activities across PRiMES and related data ecosystems.
• Ensure analytical products and datasets conform to work standards, quality expectations, and applicable Department requirements.

Machine Learning and Modeling

• Design and implement analytical models and machine learning techniques to support analysis of complex datasets.
• Build models that support trend analysis, predictive modeling, forecasting, prioritization, and operational insight.
• Evaluate model performance, document assumptions, and communicate limitations clearly.
• Identify opportunities to improve analytical methods, automate recurring analyses, and strengthen the Bureau’s use of data.
• Support priority analytics needs as they arise across PRM or the Department.

Collaboration and System Authorization Support

• Collaborate across organizations to build consensus around data requirements, analytical priorities, dashboard needs, and system functionality.
• Work with developers, business intelligence analysts, project managers, system owners, and Government stakeholders to align analytics products with PRiMES capabilities.
• Support required system authorizations, documentation, and stakeholder coordination activities.
• Participate in project meetings, status discussions, data reviews, requirements sessions, and solution planning activities.
• Maintain a customer-focused approach while delivering accurate, secure, and mission-aligned analytical products.

Requirements

• Secret clearance required.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of relevant work experience in data science, statistical modeling, machine learning, or advanced analytics.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Expertise with Python, R, and SQL.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement complex analytical models and techniques to analyze large, complex datasets.
• Experience with business intelligence tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar dashboarding/reporting platforms.
• Knowledge of data management best practices, including data quality, security, privacy, and governance.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Experience collaborating across organizations, building consensus, and obtaining required system authorizations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a suitable security clearance and Department of State badge.