BackgroundA priority of the international community is to improve capabilities of early warning systems that enable more timely and effective anticipatory action in advance of food security crises CISSM is conducting an applied research project that aims to advance statistical modeling of acute malnutrition and the use of resulting model based forecasts by stakeholders involved in humanitarian practice with a focus on Ethiopia Kenya Somalia and South Sudan This project is being undertaken in partnership with Action Against Hunger ACF an international NGO and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office GFFO The work builds on the Modeling Early Risk Indicators to Anticipate Malnutrition MERIAM project which was completed in 2021Job DescriptionCISSM seeks a Data Scientist to serve among the key personnel contributing to the implementation of the project In particular the position involves significant responsibilities for the identification acquisition compilation and processing of diverse sources of data designing and executing statistical modeling generating associated products including visualizations of results such as graphics maps and interactive tools and assisting with training and learning activities about utilizing predictive evidence in operational settingsThe Data Scientist will work closely with project teams at both the University of Maryland led by Dr David Backer and the University of Minnesota led by Dr Kathryn Grace as well as engaging regularly with project personnel at ACF Germany ACF US ACFs Horn of East Africa Regional Office HEARO and ACF country offices in the focus countries Project activities are expected to entail periodic domestic and international travelThe position will be located at the University of Maryland The formal appointment will be as either an Assistant Research Scholar Post Doctoral Associate or Faculty Assistant depending on the qualifications of the candidate who is hired