Deputy VP: Strategic Engagements

Your mission
About us
World Data Lab’s (WDL) mission is  to democratize data and make it accessible and actionable for everyone. Founded by global leading economists and technologists, WDL is an impact venture with its headquarters based in Vienna, Austria and subsidiary offices located in Nairobi, Kenya and Washington DC, USA. WDL is a leader in developing forward-looking insights and forecasts on consumer spending and demographic data.   WDL also develops data models that track United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in real-time. This includes tracking poverty, hunger, water scarcity, gender, youth employment, and internet access in close cooperation with leading global organizations and governments (Mastercard Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, German government, and many more). By combining new data sources with groundbreaking modeling methods, WDL assists the public, governments and other organizations in making data-driven decisions to solve the world's biggest challenges. 


WDL is embarking on an exciting new scale-up of its Africa operations and is seeking to recruit a talented, dynamic, and proactive individual to anchor its Africa Team and drive the expansion of its regional footprint. This role will be pivotal in strengthening WDL’s presence across the continent, enhancing  partnerships with governments, private sector organizations, and NGOs, and ensuring the effective delivery of data-driven insights to support impactful decision-making in Africa.The ideal candidate will bring a strong mix of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and local knowledge to support WDL’s mission of democratizing data. As WDL scales its operations, this individual will play a central role in guiding the team, fostering key relationships, and driving the implementation of WDL’s innovative data products and models across various African markets, empowering public and private sector leaders with the tools they need to address critical challenges and achieve sustainable development outcomes.


Your Contribution

Project Leadership and Delivery:

• Lead and oversee high-impact projects ensuring timely delivery and alignment with WDL’s standards.
• Manage project teams and resources effectively to deliver data models and products that address the region's most pressing issues, such as poverty, youth employment, water scarcity, and climate adaptation.

Market Expansion and Business Development:

• Drive WDL’s business development efforts in Africa, identifying and securing new opportunities for collaboration and funding to support WDL’s mission.
• Lead outreach efforts to expand WDL’s client base and support the commercial adoption of WDL’s data solutions by organizations seeking to make data-driven decisions.

Team Development and Leadership:

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a skilled Africa-based team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
• Ensure that the team is aligned with WDL’s mission and equipped to implement data-driven solutions that meet the needs of local and regional clients.
  

Partnership and Relationship Management:

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with governments, private sector organizations, NGOs, and development agencies to support WDL’s mission of democratizing data.
• Act as the primary liaison with key African stakeholders, ensuring WDL’s initiatives are aligned with regional priorities and foster long-term collaborations.

Data Product Localization and Innovation:

• Collaborate with the WDL product and research teams to adapt and localize data products and insights for the African context, ensuring that WDL’s tools are relevant and accessible for African users.
• Lead efforts to innovate and improve WDL’s data models and insights to address unique challenges in African markets.

Your profile
The ideal candidate for the Deputy Vice President of Strategic Engagements at WDL should have the following qualifications:

• Educational Background
  • A Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as Economics, Data Science, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Professional Experience
  • At least 10 years of relevant experience in roles involving strategic leadership, data-driven decision-making, or international development, preferably within Africa or with a strong focus on African markets.
  • Proven experience in working with diverse stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, private sector entities, and multilateral organizations.
  • Demonstrated success in managing multi-country projects, particularly in data analytics, economic research, or social impact projects.
• Technical and Analytical Skills
  • Strong understanding of data science, economic modeling, or analytics, with the ability to translate complex data insights into actionable strategies.
  • Experience with data-driven platforms and tools, and familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and metrics related to poverty, employment, water scarcity, climate resilience, or social equity.
  • Strong understanding of project management tools.
• Strategic and Operational Leadership:
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute growth strategies, with a track record of scaling operations or initiatives successfully in diverse markets.
  • Experience in managing and leading high-performing, cross-functional teams, with a talent for mentoring and fostering an inclusive, innovative culture.
• Business Development and Partnership-Building:
  • Strong skills in business development, including experience securing funding, cultivating client relationships, and creating impactful partnerships.
  • Proven ability to engage and collaborate with high-level stakeholders and clients, such as government officials, private sector executives, and NGO leaders.
• Regional Knowledge and Networks:
  • In-depth understanding of African markets, economic trends, and social issues, with a robust network of contacts across governments, international organizations, and the private sector in Africa.
  • Sensitivity to cultural and regional dynamics, with experience adapting projects to meet local needs and conditions.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences effectively.
  • Strong presentation skills and experience in representing an organization at high-level meetings, conferences, or public forums.
• Adaptability and Proactiveness:
  • A self-starter with a proactive approach, capable of handling multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
  • Flexibility to travel frequently across African countries to support WDL’s expansion and build relationships.
• Passion for Social Impact:
  • A strong commitment to WDL’s mission of democratizing data to address global challenges, with a clear understanding of how data can be used to support sustainable development and social impact in Africa.

Why us?

• Lead initiatives and work with a dynamic cross-functional team.
• The opportunity to have an impact in a fast-growing and well-established big data SaaS scale-up
• Gain unique insights into an NGO company, including interactions with large companies, international organizations, and governments.
• Flexible working hours and conditions with high acceptance of home office
• Be part of an international team of highly motivated and like-minded individuals, including global thought leaders.
• Great individual professional and educational development - including growth opportunities within the team.

Our mission: To make everyone count!

We offer a competitive base salary and overpayment based on previous experience.
We strongly believe that people are a critical piece of the equation and essential to achieving long-term success. Our passion-driven team works tirelessly towards making everyone count, together! Above all, we value integrity, honesty, and creative thinking to achieve our goals.
If you have any questions regarding the application process or the position, please feel free to reach out to our HR team. You can contact us at recruiting@worlddata.io, and we’ll be happy to assist you. Thank you for your interest in joining our team!