Global Senior Data Processing Specialist

ICF is seeking an experienced Senior Data Processing Specialist to provide technical leadership for data processing digital data collection and data-related innovation under The DHS Program and other large-scale surveys in low- and middle-income countries.

The Senior Data Processing Specialist will lead the design testing deployment and support of complex computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) systems and associated data-processing activities across multiple country surveys. This is a senior hands-on role: the successful candidate will resolve complex technical and data-quality problems strengthen the skills of Data Processing Specialists consultants and country counterparts and promote consistent technical practices across the survey portfolio.

The Senior Data Processing Specialist will also help shape how AI and automation are used in DHS data processing contributing to a team that includes AI engineers and other specialists. This includes helping pilot evaluate and improve tools such as AI-assisted anomaly detection and identifying processing tasks that can be safely automated.

This position will require travel internationally approximately 20 to 30 percent of the time including trips that may extend for several weeks.

Key Responsibilities

CAPI and field systems

Lead the design programming testing deployment and maintenance of complex CAPI applications for population and facility surveys using CSPro and other appropriate technologies.

Translate questionnaires skip patterns validation rules sample-management requirements biomarker protocols and other survey specifications into reliable and user-friendly data-collection applications.

Lead technical readiness reviews and support pretests training survey launches and initial fieldwork.

Diagnose and resolve complex application device synchronization communications and data-quality problems.

Data processing and quality

Provide technical oversight for survey data processing including automated quality checks standardized tabulations dataset preparation metadata anonymization and disclosure protection.

Ensure consistency among questionnaires CAPI applications datasets tabulation specifications and final survey outputs.

Develop reusable code testing procedures documentation templates and technical guidance that improve quality and efficiency across surveys.

Technical leadership and capacity strengthening

Provide senior technical guidance and mentoring to Data Processing Specialists consultants and country counterparts and advise Survey Managers and Survey Portfolio Managers on technical issues.

Lead training and capacity strengthening for in-country data-processing staff IT personnel trainers supervisors and other technical counterparts including the appropriate use of new tools.

Collaborate with survey managers statisticians survey methodologists biomarker specialists GIS specialists analysts and other technical experts.

Innovation automation and AI

Work with AI engineers and other teammates to pilot evaluate and improve AI-assisted data processing tools such as anomaly detection for data quality before they are scaled.

Identify data processing tasks that could be safely automated and help develop reusable scripts or pipelines to automate them.

Contribute to standards for testing documentation expert review and confidentiality when automated and AI-assisted tools are used with survey data.

Capture lessons learned and help translate successful innovations into sustainable tools standards and operating procedures.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in computer science information systems mathematics statistics demography public health data science or a related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in survey data processing digital data collection software development data management or related technical work with substantial experience supporting large-scale population health facility or similarly complex surveys.

5 years of experience designing developing testing deploying and supporting CAPI applications including

advanced proficiency with CSPro.

5 years of experience programming and problem-solving experience using Python Java C# JavaScript or another general-purpose programming language.

1 year of experience with survey data validation quality assurance processing and preparation of analysis-ready datasets and with diagnosing and resolving complex software systems and data-quality problems.

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in a relevant technical statistical demographic or public health discipline.

Experience with the DHS Program or a comparable international survey program such as MICS LSMS PHIA or national census operations.

Expert-level CSPro programming and application development experience.

Experience with Survey Solutions ODK SurveyCTO KoboToolbox or another digital data collection platform.

Experience with Stata R SPSS SAS or another statistical and data-analysis package.

Experience with software development practices such as source control code review automated testing and AI-assisted development tools and with building reusable components or data-processing pipelines

Experience applying machine learning AI or statistical methods to data validation or anomaly detection.

Experience with statistical disclosure control or data privacy practices for microdata.

Experience working with national statistical offices ministries of health or other government implementing agencies in low- and middle-income countries.

Professional working proficiency in French Portuguese Spanish or another language relevant to the DHS Program country portfolio.

Core Competencies

Experience training mentoring or providing technical leadership to staff consultants or country counterparts.

Strong written and oral communication skills including the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Ability to manage competing priorities and support multiple surveys at different stages of implementation.

Advanced technical expertise problem solving and sound technical judgment

Strong commitment to data quality security and reproducibility

Technical leadership and mentoring

Cross-functional and cross-cultural collaboration

Adaptability in complex international environments

Responsible application of new technologies

Working at ICF

We can only solve the worlds toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity our employees are empowered to share theirexpertiseand collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information please read ourEEOpolicy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship

All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for new H-1B visa sponsorship by ICF. Candidates who currently hold valid work authorization may be considered for a change of employer petition subject to company policy and applicable immigration requirements.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable Accommodations are available including but not limited to for disabled veterans individuals with disabilities and individuals withsincerely heldreligious beliefs in all phases of the application and employment process. To requestan accommodationplease emailand we will be happy toassist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extentrequiredto provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrightsor our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) CoverageAct.

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration.Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration.Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contactfor assistance.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate orassistwith responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is notpermitted. This policy is in place tomaintainthe integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However we understand that some candidates may require accommodationthat involves the use of AI. Ifsuch anaccommodation is needed candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at. Weare dedicated to providingthe necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position including but not limited to relevant work experience skills certifications and competencies that align to the specified role geographic location education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: