About the Position

Dexis is seeking Data Scientists for a future requirement to perform data analysis, visualization, and database management to support a bureau at Department of State (DoS) handling global security assistance programs, military operations, and defense strategy and plans programming.  The Data Scientist will primarily support quantitative data collection, analysis, visualization, and deliverable production for the team’s evaluation activities. The Data Scientist may contribute to qualitative data collection and analysis as well.

This position is contingent upon award and work may be split between the client’s offices in Washington, DC and Dexis’ offices in Arlington, VA.  The Data Scientist may be telework-eligible pending approval from the client.  This is a full-time position.  

Responsibilities

• Support desk review of relevant evaluation documentation and materials, U.S. policies, Country-specific policies, and any relevant open-source data that contextualizes or triangulates datasets.
• Lead, guide, and assist in data collection tasks, including in-person or virtual key informant interviews, surveys, and focus groups.
• Lead the development of digital/virtual data collection tools and instruments, ensuring integration into appropriate databases and knowledge management requirements.
• Design, implement, and manage a data storage system that allows for efficient organization, retrieval, and updating of collected data, in collaboration with the client.
• Lead and manage data entry into database.
• Develop a user-friendly interface or platform that enables stakeholders to easily access and engage with the data. Ensure data is available in a format suitable for analysis, such as structured datasets, visualizations, and/or reports.
• Monitor data for accuracy, completeness, and redundancies. 
• Lead data quality including by conducting data quality checks. 
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand their specific requirements and provide support in effectively utilizing the data. Address their queries, provide training if necessary, and ensure ongoing communication and collaboration.
• Develop sophisticated visualizations for inclusion in evaluation deliverables using statistical software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Support visualization efforts for high level briefs and summaries of larger analytical products.
• Identify and maintain open source data sources on security assistance and security cooperation. Responsibilities include researching and assessing databases, repositories, government sources, academic publications, and other relevant data platforms for use.
• Develop a criterion to evaluate usefulness, relevance, and quality of data collected.
• Seek feedback from stakeholders and identify areas for improvement, including, but not limited to enhancing data quality, streamlining access, and/or expanding data coverage.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance or higher.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and eight (8) years of relevant experience.
• At least five (5) years of experience analyzing and/ or visualizing data for Department of State foreign assistance projects, at least two (2) years on topics related to security assistance and/or security cooperations.
• Experience applying quantitative methods to clean, manipulate, and analyze time-series and cross-national datasets, including normalizing, aggregating, and weighting data; conducting regression analyses; constructing indices; and analyzing survey responses
• Skilled in research design and quantitative/ qualitative methods. 
• Ability to provide strong analysis and critical thinking to complex matters of security assistance/ security cooperation, military operations, and international security.
• Experience conducting evaluations via direct or remote data collection activities including in developing data collection plans and analysis.
• Experience and skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis and the preparation of evaluation reports, as well as providing high-level oral briefs for senior-level USG officials.
• Experience developing code books a nd other tools to document data collection and analyses
• Experience with Tableau, NVivo, and/ or other statistical and data visualization software.
• Self-motivated and dynamic team player with a good sense of humor.
• Have a current passport and able to travel nationally/ internationally to participate in conferences, oversight visits, and occasional exercises.
• Ability to write/read/speak another language other than English is a plus.