Location: FCT-Abuja, Nigeria

Duration: 12 Months

Reports to: Programs Manager

About ACE Group 

ACE Group is a mission-driven consulting and non-profit organization committed to eliminating health and social inequities across Africa. We combine systems thinking, research implementation, and impact measurement to design contextually relevant solutions that scale and endure. Our core capabilities include strategy and systems design, program implementation, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL), digital innovation, and knowledge translation. Through these capabilities, ACE Group partners with organizations, donors, governments, and communities to strengthen systems, drive innovation, and advance equitable outcomes across the continent.

Background

Family Health remains central to Nigeria’s healthcare system, addressing maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, and reproductive health. Although progress has been made, significant gaps persist in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), requiring more coordinated and targeted interventions. While various efforts have contributed to improvements in maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH), family planning (FP), and nutrition outcomes, fragmented implementation has limited collective impact and missed opportunities for integrated, end-to-end service delivery across the continuum of care.

To support this strategy, ACE Group will coordinate and strengthen partner data management processes, including data validation, cleaning, harmonization, in-depth analysis, and the development of interactive dashboards. This will ensure clear visibility of programme performance, highlight gaps and opportunities, and support timely, evidence-based decision-making.

Scope of Work / Responsibilities

The Data Scientist will:

• Work closely with the Program Associate and relevant technical teams to understand data needs and reporting requirements
• Design and implement data collection, cleaning, transformation, and management processes
• Extract, manipulate, and analyze structured and unstructured datasets using SQL, Python, and R
• Conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify trends, patterns, correlations, and anomalies
• Develop automated and interactive dashboards using Excel and Power BI
• Produce high-quality data visualizations and analytical reports to support programme decision-making
• Develop and maintain data models to improve forecasting, performance tracking, and strategic planning
• Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and quality assurance through validation checks
• Document methodologies, code scripts, and dashboard user guides
• Support monitoring and evaluation activities through statistical analysis and performance tracking
• Provide technical guidance to team members on data interpretation and dashboard use

3. Deliverables

The Data Scientist will be responsible for delivering the following clearly defined outputs:

1. Data Management & Preparation
2. Cleaned and structured datasets with documented data dictionaries
3. SQL queries for data extraction and transformation
4. Automated data pipelines (where applicable) using Python or R
5. Data validation and quality assurance reports

• Data Analysis
• Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) report highlighting key trends, patterns, and insights
• Statistical analysis outputs (e.g., regression, forecasting, trend analysis as required)
• Performance indicator analysis aligned with programme KPIs
• Insight briefs with clear interpretation and actionable recommendations

• Dashboards & Visualization
• Dynamic Excel dashboard with interactive charts, pivot tables, slicers, and automated updates
• Interactive Power BI dashboard with drill-down features, filters, and performance tracking metrics
• Visualization templates (charts, graphs, heat maps, trend lines) for recurring reporting needs
• Automated reporting templates for monthly/quarterly reporting

• Documentation & Sustainability
• Fully documented R and Python scripts used for analysis
• SQL query documentation and database structure summary
• Dashboard user guide/manual
• Final technical report summarizing methods, analysis, findings, and recommendations
• Knowledge transfer session for relevant team members

4. Requirements:

The Data Scientist should possess the following qualifications and competencies:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in data science, analytics, machine learning, or a related role, with demonstrated experience in data exploration, supervised learning, clustering, and applied analytics
• Strong proficiency in Python (Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib/Seaborn, Scikit-learn), R (tidyverse, ggplot2, statistical modelling), and SQL (data extraction, joins, aggregations, and query optimization)
• Advanced experience in data visualization and business intelligence tools, including Power BI (DAX, data modelling, interactive dashboards) and Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, Power Query, Power Pivot, and automated dashboards)
• Proven experience in data cleaning, transformation, automation, and working with large, complex datasets
• Strong analytical, statistical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
• Experience working with database infrastructures and an understanding of how data architecture supports modelling and analytics
• Excellent data visualization, storytelling, documentation, and reporting skills
• Knowledge of natural language processing (NLP) and natural language understanding (NLU) techniques is an added advantage
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and communicate insights to non-technical stakeholders
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage timelines, deliverables, and research processes

5. Desirable:

• Experience supporting monitoring and evaluation (M&E) or programme data
• Experience in public health, development, finance, or related sectors
• Knowledge of data governance, data protection, and ethical data management standards

6. Reporting & Supervision

• The Data Scientist will report directly to the Program Associate (or designated supervisor)
• The role will work closely with the Senior Programs Analyst and other technical teams
• Deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the supervisor
• Regular progress meetings (weekly or bi-weekly) will be conducted to review milestones and outputs