Data Scientist Team Leader

What We Do
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Your role
Exponential developments in new technologies have significantly changed the external information environment in which the ICRC operates, engages, and communicates. This complex information environment requires a strong capacity to develop innovative data acquisition and data analytics approaches to measure its visibility and impact through public communication. The ICRC is also strengthening its capacity to detect, assess, and respond to the changing digital and harmful information landscape to mitigate the potential associated harm and risks.

The
Data Scientist Team Leader
leads a team of 2 analysts and ensures the timely delivery of impactful research and analytics services focused on the penetration of key messages from the ICRC public communication, the perception from external audiences, as well as reports on harmful information touching or targeting the organization. The person also adapts the skills and services of the team to meet emerging needs for institutional priorities such as addressing harmful information and challenges posed in fast-paced communication environments. The Data Scientist TL is also responsible for developing and implementing innovative data science services to acquire, process, and manage open-source data. The data analytics services contribute to providing sound and timely reporting on the external information environment to inform operational, communicational, and strategic decision-making. The role combines leadership in data analysis, modelling, automation, and team management to ensure services remain state-of-the-art for internal global clients. It entails extensive coordination and relationship management, collaborating with ICRC technical units, cybersecurity experts, and external providers. It contributes to institutional reporting, leads R&D on monitoring tools, and represents the métier in internal and external forums on communication analysis and measurement.

Accountabilities & Functional Responsibilities

• Leads the design, development, and implementation of advanced data science and analytical solutions to strengthen the International Committee of the Red Cross's (ICRC) capacity for data-driven communication and monitoring.
• Expands the data collection and monitoring capacity by incorporating new platforms—such as Telegram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Signal, and VKontakte, using ethical web scraping and stakeholder-tracking methodologies.
• Leads quarterly reporting on ICRC public communication and positioning by coordinating with external provider and adding and explaining insights and analytics, notably on sentiment, dynamics, actors, and drivers of harmful information campaigns.
• Enables and contributes to the production of tailored analytical reports and conducts social network analyses to map influencer and information networks.
• Collaborates across internal teams and external partners to leverage machine learning and AI for analyzing networks and emerging trends. Investigates bot activity, deepfakes, and other AI-generated or modified content linked to harmful information, utilizing advanced analytics and cross-functional expertise.
• Develops and deploys AI, machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP) models to automate the monitoring and recognition of harmful information, detect online patterns and sources, and identify bots and trolls.
• Leads the design and creation of sentiment analysis models to evaluate online discourse and develop dashboards to monitor the ICRC's share of voice, communication performance, and public positioning.
• Maintains and optimizes databases and BI dashboards, automating data preparation, transformation, and visualization. Improves keyword sets and context/topic identification queries, ensuring efficiency and consistency in data workflows.
• Coordinates and oversees the work of the two analysts to deliver high-quality analytical services. In crisis situations, provides analytical surge support and ensures continuity when colleagues are absent.
• As a people manager, leads the performance management, coaching, and professional development of two team members. Ensures effective coordination, workload balance, and operational continuity through regular meetings, feedback, and strategic planning.

Education / Professional Experience Required

• Master's degree in Tech and Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Communications, Political Science, or related field.
• 8+ years' experience in data science, data analytics & data visualization, preferably with a focus on open-source information, communications, media & social media.
• Proven experience in people management
• Strong interest in communications and humanitarian affairs, with an understanding of social and geopolitical factors that influence the information landscape.

Desired Profile And Skills
Technical skills:

• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Expertise in advanced open-source search techniques, tools, and software.
• Expertise in programming: Python, R, SQL; JavaScript or GIS tools (QGIS, ArcGIS).
• Strong working knowledge of social media monitoring and analytics tools and software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with the ability to translate complex findings into strategic insights for non-technical audiences
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity fundamentals & privacy and data protection regulations
• Strong understanding of legal and ethical guidelines in data collection, processing, and management
• Working Knowledge of French, Arabic, Spanish, or Russian is an asset

Soft Skills

• An innate desire to solve problems in an innovative way
• Proactive team leader who fosters effective collaboration
• Flexible, responsive, and capable of delivering under tight and sudden deadlines
• Ability to analyze and synthesize vast amounts of information and identify key insights.
• Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating complex tasks across multidisciplinary and global teams

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with other divisions and units (e.g. Protection, Resource Mobilization, Digital Communication) and delegations concerned by data management or participating in a common project.
• Externally, interacts with data scientists.

Additional Information

• Type of role: Data Scientist
• Working rate: 100%
• Location: BSSC (Tresnjinog cveta 1, Belgrade)
• Job level: C1
• Length of assignment: Open-ended
• Type of position: Resident (The vacancy is open only for persons with Serbian citizenship or a personal work permit in the Republic of Serbia)
• Application deadline:

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

If you are interested in this position, please send us your
CV / Motivation letter in English
.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Our values
At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

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