Reporting to the Sr. Dir Research and Learning, the Data Scientist will lead HFHI’s effort to address critical gaps in global housing data by launching and maintaining the annual Global Housing Index, which aims to raise awareness on key adequate housing issues and inform improved policy and program solutions. The Director will oversee the data science and quantitative research aspects necessary to ensure the Index is methodologically sound and credible. A key function is collaborating closely with internal teams, and external partners to incorporate diverse guidance and ensure the Index’s relevance and legitimacy. Ideally, the position will partner with learning and communications staff to translate complex index and quantitative research findings into accessible insights that empower Habitat teams, civil society, and policymakers to advocate for and implement evidence-based housing solutions.

This position is for a term of 2 years and can be based remotely within a country where Habitat has an entity and the employee can already legally work and requires up to 10% travel.

Application deadline date: July 4, 2025

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Develop and Manage Global Data Pipelines (15%): Identify, acquire, integrate, and maintain diverse quantitative datasets (e.g., property transactions, economic indicators, demographics) from numerous international sources, ensuring data flow and accessibility.
Implement Rigorous Data Standardization and Quality Assurance (15%): Design and execute processes to clean, transform, and harmonize heterogeneous global data, addressing inconsistencies in definitions, currencies, units, and quality across geographies.
Construct and Refine Housing Index Models (15%): Apply advanced statistical and econometric methods to build, test, and iteratively improve the housing index.
Validate Index Performance and Derive Insights (15%): Conduct thorough validation, back-testing, and sensitivity analysis of the index; interpret results to identify trends and cross-country comparisons.
Communicate Methodology and Findings (15%): Clearly document all data sources, processing steps, and modeling methodologies; create compelling visualizations and reports to effectively communicate complex findings and index behavior to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Support presentations to key internal and external stakeholders (e.g. senior management, sectoral advisors). Engage with business process owners to understand their data needs. And partner with program and resource development teams in designing programs and providing inputs for developing funding proposals.
Quantitative Research Technical Advising (10%): Provide technical advice on quantitative research project designs, implementation and reports contributing to the Housing Index and priority organizational research (e.g. Home Equals campaign research). Provide input to Integrated Program teams on topics related to quantitative research – including feasibility of embarking on priority data or research topics, data or research partnerships to consider, risks associated with research projects, etc.
Coordination and cross-collaboration (15%): Participate in the Housing Index Internal Working Group to incorporate index feedback and provide updates. Coordinate with select relevant AO and NO staff as well as partner organizations contributing data to the Housing Index. Participate in strategic initiatives as requested and in Research and Learning, and Integrated Programs team meetings and activities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Undergraduate degree related to applied data science (e.g. economics, public policy, computer science, statistics).
Master’s degree in related field preferred.
5 years of related experience in data science, ideally in an applied setting, and with data sources originating inside and outside of the US.
Active support of HFHI Values:
Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves.
Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission.
Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Advanced Data Wrangling & Preprocessing: Demonstrated mastery in cleaning, transforming, and integrating complex, messy, multi-source datasets using tools like Python or R.
Programming Proficiency: High proficiency in statistical programming languages, primarily Python or R, including relevant libraries for data analysis, modeling, and visualization.
Database Management: Experience querying and managing data across different database systems (e.g., SQL).
Data Visualization & Communication: Ability to translate complex quantitative information into clear visualizations and effectively communicate methodologies and results both verbally and in writing.
Quantitative Research Methodologies: Proficiency in quantitative research processes – from end to end. Familiarity with qualitative research processes.
Understanding of international development and related global issues.
High degree of self-reliance and resourcefulness to lead and engage in processes that may not be clearly defined and might evolve constantly, with an action-oriented mindset; ability to influence without formal authority; creative problem-solver.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS (in addition to minimum):

Real Estate & Economic Domain Knowledge: Understanding of housing market fundamentals, macroeconomic indicators, and the factors influencing real estate price dynamics globally.
Global South Data Experience: Familiarity with data sourced from the Global South and related challenges (e.g. meta data in different languages, inherent data biases to consider)
Geospatial Data Analysis Proficiency: Proficiency in GIS programs – such as ESRI or QGIS – and related data analysis.

The actual salary offered for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including location, internal equity and the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience. HFHI offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that varies by country and typically includes vacation leave, sick leave, personal days, health insurance options, retirement plan contributions and life insurance.

For work locations in the US, the hiring range for this position is $72,250 to $85,000.