Regional Vacancy Announcement – Data Scientist
| Position | Data Scientist |
| Project | Smart Africa – Accelerating the Digital Transformation in Africa |
| Place of assignment | Kigali – Rwanda |
| Initial contract period | 01.04.2026 – 31.05.2028 (renewable upon review) |
| Salary band | 4 |
| Position number | 1 |
| Application deadline | 24.02.2026 |
A. About GIZ and the Project
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi and as well as selected regional activities and projects. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digital Transformation and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region.
At GIZ, we don’t just work in international cooperation, we strive to shape the future of sustainable development. In partnership with Smart Africa, we’ve launched an exciting new initiative: Accelerating the Digital Transformation in Africa.
Our Mission? To turn the vision of a Single Digital Market into a bold reality by unlocking regional economic integration, cross-border innovation, and digitally enabled growth across the continent.
Our Delivery? This pan-African project brings public and private stakeholders together to:
Advise and drive cross-border digital policy implementation in key Member States.
- Advise and drive cross-border digital policy implementation in key Member States.
- Strengthen systems and structures within Smart Africa for long-term impact.
- Build strategic partnerships and mobilise resources to scale digital initiatives across sectors.
- Formulate national and regional AI Policies and Trainings to be implemented in member states
- Develop and scale cross-border AI Uses Cases
Your Next Career Move? We’re assembling a dynamic, purpose-driven team and are looking for an exceptional Data Scientist to help bring our mission to life. This role is cross-functional, fast-paced, full of potential and ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of policy, strategy, and implementation. You’ll work across African markets, shape AI interventions, and help catalyse the next wave of socio-economic growth on the continent. If you’re passionate about AI, regional economic development, and system sustainability, this is your moment.
Your Role & Responsibilities?
The Data Scientist performs the following responsibilities and tasks:
B. Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and technical advisory support to Smart Africa and relevant stakeholders on AI governance and responsible AI implementation, translating policy priorities into actionable approaches.
- Support the implementation of AI-related initiatives and pilots, including feasibility assessments, implementation planning, and scalable design across Member States.
- Contribute to effective project management, including planning and budgeting, steering of contractors, communication, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
- Strengthen organisational development and implementation capacities, including practical processes, documentation standards, and coordination mechanisms for AI-related workstreams.
- Mobilise partnerships and resources by supporting structured public and private dialogue and by facilitating collaboration with GIZ programmes, European partners, and African stakeholders.
- Support Smart Africa in positioning Africa’s voice in global debates on digital transformation and AI through evidence-based inputs, stakeholder engagement and high-quality knowledge products.
- Support the Africa AI Council and its Thematic Working Groups by facilitating structured coordination and effective follow-up on agreed priorities and deliverables.
- Identify synergies with other GIZ projects and networks to leverage GIZ’s continent-wide structures and technical expertise in support of Smart Africa as a key partner
C. Tasks
- Provide technical and strategic advisory support on AI-related priorities within Smart Africa’s agenda, including the translation of strategic objectives into concrete activities, pilots, and implementation roadmaps.
- Steer and quality-assure the work of external service providers and contractors, including terms of reference, deliverable reviews, and implementation follow-up.
- Contribute to responsible AI practices across the project lifecycle, including risk identification and mitigation measures related to data protection, fairness, transparency, accountability, and sustainability.
- Support the design and implementation of cross-border services and other scalable digital initiatives, including documentation of requirements, stakeholder coordination, and lessons learned for scale-up.
- Organise and facilitate meetings, technical working sessions, and workshops with Smart Africa, Member State stakeholders, and partners, ensuring structured preparation, effective moderation, and clear follow-up.
- Prepare and review concept notes, briefings, reports and communication materials that document progress and support decision-making and outreach.
- Facilitate knowledge exchange between Smart Africa, relevant GIZ programmes, and regional or global networks, ensuring reuse of approaches and coherence across initiatives.
- Take on any additional project-related responsibilities as assigned by management.
D. Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience
1. Qualifications and professional experience
- Master’s degree in data science, computer science, engineering, information systems, public policy with a strong digital focus, or a related field.
- At least 3 years of professional experience in a similar role, with proven exposure to implementing AI or data-driven solutions and advising stakeholders in complex, multi actor settings.
- At least 3 years professional experience in AI policy research and application at public and/or private sector level.
- Demonstrated experience in managing contractors or technical vendors, including translating requirements into actionable deliverables and ensuring quality assurance.
- Sound understanding of responsible, ethical and inclusive AI practices, with the ability to apply these principles in practical implementation contexts.
- Proven experience in stakeholder management and facilitation, ideally involving public sector or regional institutions.
- Strong writing and communication skills
2. Additional Skills Required
- Strong ability to communicate complex technical concepts and the socio-economic implications of AI solutions to diverse (including non-technical) audiences.
- Carry outstanding work ethic and motivation to act reliable, dedicated, and disciplined without much guidance and supervision.
- High level of intercultural competence, diplomacy, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work independently, across diverse teams, and under tight deadlines in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment.
- Strong service-oriented thinker to provide professional and proactive advisory to GIZ and GIZ partner organisations.
- Brings intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Ability to implement multiple processes simultaneously
- Previous working experience with GIZ and/or the pan-African organisations is an asset
- Proactive, collaborative and able to work confidently in intercultural environments.
- Proficiency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French and/or African languages is an advantage.
GIZ will only assess applications which meet the following criteria:
- Cover Letter must clearly state your motivation for applying for the position and outline your competencies why you are the best suited candidate addressing qualifications, competencies and experiences asked for in this advert. Cover Letter must not exceed one (1) page and be submitted in PDF Format.
- CVs must include three professional references of previous employment including contact details and must not exceed four (4) pages to be submitted in PDF format.
E. How to apply
Interested candidates should submit their application (motivation letter, updated CV, certificates and references), via our electronic job portal by using the button “apply”; until 24 February 2026 at 4:00 PM. All attachments should be put together in one PDF file not larger than 2 MB.
GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued – regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age or sexual orientation. We support equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities.
This includes the provision of reasonable accommodation, if needed, in order to participate in the job application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please let us know, if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to consider, when considering your application.
Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview.
GIZ Office Rwanda
KN 41 St. / Nr.17, Kiyovu
P.O. Box 59, Kigali,
Rwanda
GIZ reserves all rights!
