What we are looking for:
NRC is on the hunt for an innovative and impact-driven Data Scientist to join our groundbreaking CLEAR Project - an initiative thatโs reshaping how the humanitarian sector anticipates and responds to crises.
The CLEAR Project represents NRCโs bold vision for the future - using artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to revolutionize early warning systems and drive risk-informed, proactive humanitarian action worldwide. It brings data, technology, and purpose together to build smarter early warning systems and enable proactive, risk-informed humanitarian action across the globe.
In this role, you will harness the power of machine learning and advanced analytics to build predictive models that detect crisis patterns, forecast humanitarian needs, and enable faster, smarter, and more proactive responses. Youโll transform complex, multimodal data from diverse sources into actionable insights that empower crisis response teams to make life-saving decisions.
Working under the strategic guidance of our AI Lead, youโll collaborate with a global network of technical experts to design, train, and optimize models that meet real-world humanitarian challenges.
What you will do:
Analyse complex datasets from multiple sources to uncover trends and insights that inform humanitarian decision-making.
Develop predictive and machine learning models to forecast crises, humanitarian needs, and resource requirements.
Design and maintain automated data pipelines, analytical frameworks, and real-time dashboards for field and leadership use.
Collaborate with program teams, data engineers, and partners to translate operational challenges into analytical solutions and communicate findings accessibly.
Lead systematic mapping of datasets, establish academic collaborations, and contribute to CLEARโs data architecture and model monitoring systems.
Ensure ethical, interpretable, and bias-mitigated AI solutions aligned with NRCโs policies and standards.
Support the creation of early warning and impact-based forecasting systems, integrating climate, conflict, and economic indicators for proactive humanitarian action.
Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Technical Lead.
Please download theย detailed job descriptionย to learn more about the position.ย
What you will bring:
Advanced degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or related quantitative field with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in applied data science.
Advanced proficiency in Python for statistical analysis, machine learning, and data manipulation, with experience in key libraries including pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras.
Strong SQL skills for database management and complex query optimization.
Hands-on experience implementing supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms including regression models, classification techniques, clustering methods, and time series analysis.
Experience designing and implementing basic ETL pipelines for processing datasets from multiple sources. Skills in data cleaning, transformation, and quality assurance processes at scale.ย
Ability to create automated reporting systems and dashboards using tools like Tableau, PowerBI, or similar platforms.
Experience working with large, messy, real-world datasets.
Understanding of model deployment and MLOps practices.
Fundamental skills with version control software and collaborative development.
Fluency in written and spoken English. Other languages are an asset.
Experience with natural language processing techniques for analyzing reports, social media, or news data relevant to crisis monitoring.ย
Understanding of ensemble methods and basic explainable AI techniques for transparent decision-making.
General knowledge of remote sensing techniques for land cover classification, change detection, infrastructure monitoring, and population estimation (an asset).ย
Experience implementing and fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) (an asset).
Experience using GenAI for automated analysis of large volumes of documents, extracting key themes, sentiment analysis, and identifying emerging trends across multiple contexts and languages.ย
Experience with using AI tools for data augmentation and synthetic data generation for training purposes (an asset).
Experience with multimodal data fusion and few-shot learning techniques.
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What we offer:
Duty station: Oslo or NRC Representation Offices (London, Brussels, Berlin) or EOR Countries (France, Italy, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands) โ The candidate must have the legal right to live and work from any of these countries. NRC will not provide sponsorship for visa and work permit.ย
Contract: 2 years.ย ย
Travel: 10%.
Salary/benefits: Grade 9 on NRCโs Resident salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions.ย
NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.
Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC
Important information about the application process
For Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity MarketPlace.
When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
If you have any questions about this role, please emailย ho.recruitment@nrc.noย with the job title as the subject line.
Why NRC?
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.
Watch this short videoย to see NRC in action.
We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:
do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.ย Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.ย At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.ย Together, we save lives and rebuild futures. Safeguarding is central to NRCโs work. We expect all employees to:ย โข treat everyone with respect and dignityย โข contribute to building a safe environment for allย โข never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)ย โข always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH