DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS16 July 2025-23:59-GMT+02:00 Eastern European Standard Time (Cairo)
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 worldโs 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).
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP Technology Division (TEC, formerly known as IT) is the digital business engine of the World Food Programme, providing the business with multi-pronged and resilient technical capabilities able to respond with the agility required in humanitarian operations, be they manmade or in a natural disaster setting. TEC Division continues to increase its activities to meet the constantly growing demand from the organization and implement the initiatives related to digital transformation.
Recognizing the multi-faceted impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) activities on augmenting business processes, supporting improved insights for decision-making, and evidence generation across the organization, the role of Data Officer (AI/ML) aims to operationalize and achieve the goals of contributing to a more secure, governed, and ethical approach to the adoption of AI in WFP in alignment with the WFP Global AI Strategy.
JOB PURPOSE:The Data Officer (AI/ML) reports to the Head of Field Data Services. To leverage data science methodologies and machine learning techniques to enhance operational efficiency, optimize business processes, and drive data-driven decision-making within the organization, s/he will play a pivotal role in translating complex data into actionable insights, fostering innovation, and enabling strategic decision-making. This role involves extensive interaction with stakeholders across various departments to understand their needs, identify opportunities for data-driven improvements, and the technical delivery of impactful AI/ML solutions.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. Collect and clean data from primary or secondary sources to ensure the accuracy and reliability of databases and data systems in alignment with established guidelines, standards and processes.
2. Provide feedback to system sponsors for continuous improvements to data quality, system performance, and adherence to standards.
3. Identify, analyze, and interpret data using statistical methods and basic machine learning techniques to inform reliable data-driven models.
4. Contribute to the development and utilization of data quality monitoring tools to improve accuracy, consistency, and adherence to best practices in data management.
5. Monitor and evaluate data analytics performance to assess the effectiveness of tools, models, and processes, providing recommendations for improvement to ensure high-quality results.
6. Develop reports, dashboards or other data visualization tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to inform decision making.
7. Engage and collaborate with stakeholders to understand their data needs and requirements, ensuring that data analysis outputs align with operational goals and decision-making processes.
8. Ensure compliance with WFPโs data governance, privacy, and security policies, safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining ethical standards in data usage.
9. Contribute to the design and delivery of training and capacity development initiatives to strengthen effective data management practices, using dashboards, systems and tools.
10. Provide technical advice to managers and employees on data policies, processes, and systems to ensure they are correctly applied and optimally used across teams.
11. Engage in continuous learning to stay updated on industry trends, tools and best practices in data analysis contributing to the delivery of innovative solutions and fostering and applying a forward-thinking approach.
12. Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries.
13. Implement innovation solutions in accordance with WFP's policies, ensuring compliance with guidelines and procedures for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and other innovative data solutions.
OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS:
โข Designs and builds predictive data science products, such as visualizations, models or AI/ML algorithms for initial simulations or prototypes and subsequent ingestion into mainstream software applications.
โข Collaborates with technology stakeholders to access infrastructure, software and services needed to develop and deploy data science products.
โข Advocates for the use of AI/ML by showcasing the products to business stakeholders
โข Identify products, tools, and processes to validate the effectiveness of data science products and their expected and observed benefits. Assess impact using key performance indicators.
โข Coordinate with different functional teams to implement models and monitor outcomes.
โข Implement processes and tools to monitor model performance and data accuracyMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Advanced or First University degree in Computer Science, Data Management, Statistics, Information Management or other relevant discipline.
Experience:
At least 7 years of post-graduate relevant, hands-on, and progressively more responsible data science/analytics/implementation work with experience on 3+ relevant projects using agile development methodologies.
At least 3 years of supervisory experience leading data science/analytics/implementation projects.
Proven experience as a Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, or in a similar role.
Strong background in statistical analysis, data mining, and predictive modelling.
Desirable: 1+ year of Experience working with databases, Tableau, and Palantir Foundry, and knowledge of WFP business processes.
โDesirable: 1+ year experience fine-tuning AI/ML models, creating model cards, selecting AI models, and libraries
Language: Fluency (level C) in oral and written communication in both English and Arabic.
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: global.inclusion@wfp.org
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
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
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.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.