Senior Consultant, Geospatial Data Science in Oxford

Overview

The Research and Evidence Practice at Oxford Policy Management is currently seeking a Senior Consultant, Geospatial Data Science on a full-time, permanent basis. The position can be located in any of the following offices on a hybrid basis: Abuja, Addis Ababa, Nairobi; or remotely in the UK.

We are an international development consultancy working to improve lives through sustainable policy change in low- and middle-income countries. Our vision is for fair public policy that benefits both people and the planet. Through our global network of offices, we work in partnership with national stakeholders and decision makers to research, design, implement and evaluate impactful public policy.

Position Summary

Our Data Science team applies modern methods and innovative technology to some of the most pressing challenges in international development. Working across the data and policy cycles, we combine sector expertise, creative technology and a deep understanding of behaviour change and organisational reform to turn complex data into practical insights.

As a Senior Consultant in Geospatial Data Science, you will help shape and deliver OPM’s approach in applying data science—particularly geospatial analysis—to research and policy evaluation. You will develop tools that enable policymakers to understand not only what is happening, but where, so they can design better-targeted solutions.

With a robust understanding of geospatial mapping and analyses (including Small Area Estimation techniques), the Senior Consultant will hold primary responsibility for developing this area of our work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver high-quality technical work using modern geospatial data science methods.
• Help build and strengthen OPM’s analytical pipelines, developing standard operating procedures for cloud-based analysis and creating accessible online tools such as interactive dashboards and visualisations.
• Support survey and data-collection teams across our international offices to apply state-of-the-art data-collection techniques.
• Apply a strong understanding of the policy challenges facing our clients and partners, together with expertise in data science tools—particularly geospatial engineering—to develop innovative service offerings.
• Contribute to winning new work by shaping compelling, technical proposals and establishing and nurturing relationships with key external organisations, associates and consultants.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of high-quality projects that meet and exceed our clients' expectations.
• Coach colleagues around the world through practical, on-the-job learning, and deliver internal seminars that strengthen broader technical capability in data science.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to explore and expand the application of data science tools in projects related to a broad range of thematic areas including health, governance, poverty and social protection, and climate.
• Expand the team’s intellectual reputation in data sciences and geospatial analyses by developing journal articles, participating in conferences and engaging actively with the global social data science and international development community.

Key Qualifications / Experience / Skills / Behaviours:

• An advanced degree in a numerate discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 7 years' experience of working on social research and/or policy analysis within LMIC settings.
• High level understanding of the data landscape in LMICs, including traditional and non-traditional data.
• Exceptional skills in R. Strong knowledge of Stata, QGIS, Python is a plus.
• Advanced understanding of analytical pipelines, especially using R (and/or Python) and related spatial packages.
• Substantive experience in the application of innovative data science techniques, particularly geospatial modelling.
• Experience in developing and delivering Small Area Estimation projects.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms and big data processing tools for geospatial analysis.
• Excellent attention to detail and analytical rigour.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; collaborative and constructive approach to working with others.
• Experience in translating complex spatial analyses into clear visualisations for technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable Qualifications/Experience/Skills/Behaviours:

• Experience in remote sensing and earth observation.
• Experience with big data handling and parallel computing.
• Further skills in other quantitative methodologies of interest to the team.
• Fluency in languages additional to English.

Our Offer

We enable colleagues’ capacity to grow professionally through enhanced learning resources, opportunities to work cross functionally, and space to engage with a range of internal and external industry events. Our non-hierarchical culture values support, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and a rich diversity of perspectives.

Application

If you share our vision for fair public policy that benefits both people and planet, we would love to hear from you. We review and interview applicants on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply by way of CV via our careers site at the earliest.