Data Scientist

Full-Time, Exempt

Scope of Work:

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Implementation Research 

• Design implementation research protocols and lead studies with HQ departments and country teams, from sampling and study design through data analysis and dissemination.  

• Ensure studies meet ethical review (IRB) and data protection requirements, including for data collected from children and other vulnerable groups.  

• Lead or support country teams in analyzing study and program data using advanced statistical methods (e.g., regression, mixed-effects and Bayesian models) and, where appropriate, machine learning and AI-assisted tools.  

• Lead the writing of reports, policy briefs, blogs, and peer-reviewed publications, and represent Pure Earth at scientific and technical conferences and meetings.  

Data Science Capacity and Learning 

• Build staff skills in data analysis and data use so that teams can analyze the program data they collect.  

• Design and facilitate learning mechanisms (e.g., workshops, learning events) that promote cross-team learning, reflection, and decision-making, and train teams to use them. 

• Document lessons learned and co-develop knowledge products that assess current data collection protocols and approaches, guide program strategy, communicate findings, and contribute to the sector-wide evidence base. 

• Make complex data and findings accessible to non-technical internal and external audiences. 

• Manage, analyze, and communicate both quantitative and qualitative data for program learning, strategy, fundraising, and communications. 

MEL Systems and Project Design  

• Advise on the continued development of Pure Earth’s MEL systems, processes, and tools so they capture progress, results, and lessons learned across major new projects. 

• Support the development of proposals, concept notes, and funder-compliant project MEL plans aligned with Pure Earth’s program logic. 

• Support efficient data collection for project and global indicators, including training staff on data collection tools and methods. 

• Coach and train remote and distributed teams.
  
  

Success in the First 6 Months:

• Has made substantive contributions to design of organizational Management Information Systems (MIS) for MEL data.

• Has supported coaching and training of in-country staff on implementation research and programmatic data analysis.

• Has led development of 1–3 implementation research protocols.

• Has supported development of learning agendas and evaluation priorities

Required Qualifications and Experiences:

Education

• Degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics, data science, or a related field, with one of the following: PhD and 6 years of relevant experience; master’s degree and 8 years; or bachelor’s degree and 10 years (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).  

Experience

• At least 5 years designing and running implementation research or evaluation studies. and analyzing real-world program data, preferably in the international nonprofit sector.  

• Advanced statistical skills, including sampling and study design, regression, and mixed-effects or Bayesian modeling. 

• Proficiency in R, Stata, and/or Python, including in reproducible workflows and data visualization. 

• Experience with research ethics, IRB submissions, and data protection.  

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines. 

• Able to meet teams where they are and recommend practical data science approaches that reflect realities of staff, partners, and other stakeholders. 

• Have designed lean, rigorous implementation research strategies as part of an organization’s MEL strategy, ideally at an international NGO. 

• You have built collaborative learning practices that turn knowledge from across departments into program improvements.  
  
  

Desired (nice to have) 

• Fluency in Spanish, Swahili, or another language used in countries where we work. 

• Experience with environmental health or lead exposure data (e.g., blood-lead level surveys). 

• Experience with geospatial analysis (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) or national health information systems (e.g., DHIS2).  

• A record of peer-reviewed publications.  
  
  

Work Environment:

• Hybrid employees work from the New York City office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and may work remotely on other weekdays. Remote employees must be based in the United States. 

• Occasional early mornings, late evenings, or weekends to work with colleagues across time zones. 

• International travel of approximately 10% to country offices and field sites. 
  
  

Salary:

Full-time, Exempt, Level L5. Salary band for L5 positions is $97,000 to $170,000.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit your application through Pure Earth’s online career portal. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Work Authorization 

Pure Earth will not sponsor work visas or other work authorization. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country where the role is based. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Pure Earth to provide equal opportunity for all qualified persons and not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender or gender identity, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

This job description may be revised and updated as required to meet organizational objectives.