Senior Research Associate - Data Management and Analytics

• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the project's data management strategy.
• Manage the organization, integration, and governance of datasets from diverse sources, including field trials, image repositories, partner institutions, and digital platforms.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of comprehensive data documentation, metadata standards, and data dictionaries to ensure long-term usability and reproducibility.
• Lead the design, development, and optimization of data processing pipelines for machine learning and analytical workflows.
• Manage data storage, transformation, and integration solutions, ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability.
• Guide efforts to convert data between different formats as needed.
• Process multi-modal datasets (images, speech/text, tabular field trial data) to the quality and format standards required for downstream AI/ML workflows.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis and statistical summaries to surface patterns, outliers, and insights informing model development and research reporting.
• Monitor quality review pipeline performance and maintain version controlled, documented data processing workflows to ensure reproducibility and research integrity
• Plan, Design and implement robust data quality control procedures.
• Manage data cleaning, validation, and verification tasks to ensure data accuracy and consistency.
• Identify and report data anomalies and inconsistencies.
• Advise the AI/ML team on data quality standards, known anomalies, and preprocessing requirements, ensuring that training datasets meet the quality thresholds needed for reliable model performance
• Provide technical guidance for the annotation and labelling of image and structured data for supervised machine learning tasks.
• Collaborate with domain experts and model developers to define labeling schemas, annotation workflows, and quality assurance protocols.
• Evaluate and recommend tools, platforms, and processes to improve annotation efficiency and accuracy at scale
• Advice and provide guidance to junior data staff and contributors involved in data collection, management, and processing activities.
• Develop training resources and lead capacity-building initiatives on data management best practices and tools for internal teams and external partners.
• Serve as a key liaison between data, research, and engineering teams to ensure coordinated and efficient data flows that support modelling, analytics, and decision-making.
• Represent the data function in strategic planning meetings, reporting processes, and donor communications.

Requirements

• Required qualifications and experience.
• • Master's degree in Agricultural Sciences, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• • 3+ years of experience in data management, data analysis, or a related field, demonstrating progressive responsibility in research support contexts.
• • Familiarity with data quality control and data processing techniques.
• • Experience with data annotation and labelling tools.
• • Demonstrated supervisory experience, including overseeing junior data staff, managing workflows, and mentoring team members in data management best practices
• • Proficiency with NOSQL and SQL databases for data querying, management, and integration.
• • Experience with cloud storage and computing platforms (e.g., AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage) and associated data management workflows.
• • Familiarity with ETL/ELT pipeline design and workflow orchestration tools.
• • Proficiency with data visualization tools to communicate data insights.
• • Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflows for managing data scripts and pipelines.
• • Familiarity with FAIR data principles, open data standards, and research data management planning.
• • Experience with agricultural and/or plant sciences.
• • Proficient programming skills in Python or other relevant languages.
• • Familiarity with crop phenotyping data, field trial design, or agricultural data collection workflows.
• • Experience with data annotation platforms (e.g., CVAT, LabelStudio, Roboflow) and quality assurance workflows for image and structured data.
• • Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn) for data preparation, feature engineering, and pipeline integration.
• • Proficiency in data manipulation and analysis.
• • Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Desirable Qualifications:
• ● Knowledge of speech, text and image processing and analysis techniques.
• ● Familiarity with metadata standards and best practices.
• ● Experience in LLM-based analytics workflows
• ● Experience working in an international agricultural research environment
• Benefits
• Terms of employment
• This is a nationally recruited position based in Arusha, Tanzania. The initial contract will be for one year, subject to a probation period of three months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.
• This position is graded at BG07 level, with a minimum basic salary of TZS 3,929,704 in a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance job classification policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance, retirement plan, staff training and development, paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
• The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
• Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
• Summary by Impactpool
• The Senior Research Associate - Data Management and Analytics will oversee data management and analytics operations for the NDIZI and Google.org projects. This role involves developing data strategies, ensuring data quality, and preparing datasets for AI model development to enhance global food security. The associate will also manage data processing pipelines, conduct exploratory data analysis, and provide guidance to junior staff. Collaboration with various teams and partners is essential to ensure efficient data flows and support research objectives.
• Candidate Requirements:
• Master's degree in Agricultural Sciences, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in data management or analysis
• Familiarity with data quality control and processing techniques
• Experience with data annotation and labelling tools
• Demonstrated supervisory experience
• Proficiency with NOSQL and SQL databases
• Experience with cloud storage platforms
• Familiarity with ETL/ELT pipeline design
• Proficiency with data visualization tools
• Experience with version control systems
• Familiarity with FAIR data principles
• Experience with agricultural or plant sciences
• Proficient programming skills in Python or relevant languages
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Fellowship
• Master the recruitment process of the impact sector!
• Become a fellow and gain access to Impactpool's premium material that will boost your career in the impact sector
• Explore fellowship
• SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
• UNIRMCT - United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
• Arusha
• BG07 level
• Apply