Data Scientist

Educate; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 580,832 - 774,443; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mission-driven environment

Competitive salary

Learning and growth opportunities

Job summary

Educate! is seeking a Data Scientist to lead the Data Science function and develop statistical models that enhance youth success across Africa. The successful candidate will engage directly with global directors, translating complex data insights into actionable strategies and products.

This position requires a Master’s degree in a relevant field, proficiency in R or Python, and a commitment to education reform in East Africa. The role fosters a collaborative environment focused on advancing the field of data science.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a social science field or degree in Data Science/Statistics.
• Proficiency in R or Python for data manipulation and statistical analysis.
• Strong command of SQL for querying complex databases.
• Experience with causal inference and econometrics.
• Capability of explaining advanced statistical concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Construct causal frameworks to map the social mechanisms driving youth success.
• Build and maintain sophisticated prediction models.
• Translate complex statistical findings into narratives for non-technical leaders.

Skills

R or Python proficiency for data manipulation

Strong command of SQL

Causal inference and econometrics knowledge

Ability to explain statistical concepts clearly

Passion for education reform

Education

Master’s degree in a social science field or Data Science

Tools

Python

SQL (BigQuery)

Git/GitHub

Job description

Educate! is the largest youth skills service provider in East Africa, seeking a Data Scientist to build and codify the Data Science function from the ground up. The role sits at the intersection of social science, theory, and advanced analytics, applying rigorous analysis to design products that transform the life trajectories of thousands of young people across Africa.

Position Overview

As the lead Data Scientist, you will engage with Global Directors across Product, Tech, and Evaluation to bridge complex model outputs and actionable policy. You will shape the organization’s Theory of Change by identifying the underlying mechanisms that drive livelihood gains and youth success, moving beyond simple correlations to solve causal puzzles.

What You’ll Do

Theory-Driven Causal Discovery

• Construct causal frameworks using behavioral science and economic theory to map the latent social mechanisms driving youth success.
• Engineer features guided by rigorous hypotheses to uncover the "why" behind program performance.
• Partner strategically with Product and Evaluation teams to identify high‑leverage use cases where data‑driven insights can pivot program design or delivery.

Advanced Analytics and Pragmatic Modeling

• Build and maintain sophisticated models—from rule‑based frameworks to advanced ML—to predict and drive key indicators such as student retention, livelihood gains, and pedagogy adoption.
• Analyze heterogeneity to examine how program impacts vary across different demographics and contexts.
• Prioritize impact over complexity by leading with a "Minimum Viable Model" mindset, ensuring technical solutions remain maintainable, scalable, and useful for field operations.

Strategic Translation & Insight "Last‑Mile"

• Translate complex statistical findings into compelling narratives and visuals that empower non‑technical leaders and government partners.
• Co‑create with Product and Evaluation teams to ensure model outputs evolve into A/B tests, product experiments, or model updates.
• Standardize decision‑support by establishing a unified framework for data storytelling, culminating in clear "Go/No‑Go" decisions for stakeholders.

Building the Data Science Function

• Design the end‑to‑end Data Science lifecycle at Educate! from intake and prioritization to validation and productionalization.
• Implement a "Lessons Learned" framework that codifies wins and "productive failures" to grow the team’s collective intelligence.
• Collaborate with Tech, Metrics, and RME leads to evolve the data stack and pipelines for increasingly sophisticated analysis.
• Lead the development of organizational data culture, tools, and processes that support continuous learning and evidence‑based decision‑making.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a social science field (Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Public Policy) with a strong quantitative focus, or a degree in Data Science/Statistics with significant social research experience.
• Proficiency in R or Python for data manipulation and statistical analysis.
• Strong command of SQL for querying complex databases.
• Experience with causal inference, longitudinal data analysis, and econometrics.
• Proven track record of designing surveys, handling messy real‑world data from emerging markets, and working with impact evaluation frameworks.
• Ability to explain advanced statistical concepts in clear, non‑technical language to diverse audiences.
• Deep passion for education reform, youth empowerment, and the development landscape in East Africa.
• Experience working in fast‑paced, mission‑driven environments is preferred.

Technical Stack (Preferred)

• Languages: Python (pandas, scikit‑learn, statsmodels) or R (tidyverse, ggplot2, lme4)
• SQL: BigQuery or other cloud SQL platforms
• Version Control: Git/GitHub
• Field Data Collection: ODK/SurveyCTO
• Unstructured/Semi‑structured Data: JSON, nested fields, open‑text integration
• Qualitative‑quantitative integration experience (thematic coding, basic NLP, LLM‑based feature extraction)
• Methods: RCTs, Propensity Score Matching, Difference‑in‑Differences, Random Forests, Clustering

Location

Position may be based in one of our East African offices, preferably Kenya or Uganda.

What We Offer

• Mission‑driven environment with a supportive and collaborative team.
• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Continuous learning and growth opportunities.