Snr Specialist: Lead Data Scientist (Ai)

**Core Description**:
Responsible to execute the strategic roadmap and create value through delivery of internal and external artificial intelligence solutions and products. Oversight of a portfolio of data science projects, providing strategic and technical guidance on solving a variety of use cases across the Telkom Group and for its customers. Develop machine learning and deep learning competencies and manage and develop a 'full-stack' team of data science specialists. The role's focus will be on NLP, both text and speech, but projects can span Computer Vision and other domains.
**Competencies**:
**
FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE**
Statistical and mathematical foundations;
Data science and analytics frameworks (NLP and Computer Vision);
Programming (Python, R,Git,
Linux);
Cloud computing (GCP preferable);
Big Data (Cloudera, Hadoop, Spark)
**FUNCTIONAL SKILLS**
Strategic thinking;
Innovative thinking;
Communication (written and verbal);
Stakeholder management;
Planning &
organizing (Miro, Confluence &
Jira);
Research &
development
**ATTITUDES/ LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES**
Business Leadership;
Market Leadership;
Personal Leadership;
Problem solver;
Takes initiative;
Hard working;
Can do attitude;
Innovative
Thinker;
Works well in teams;
Works well under pressure;
Relishes dynamic/ changing environment;
Time management
**Responsibilities**:
- Define and implement the AI strategy and product roadmap in relation to the TKG strategy, and provide input into the broader strategic direction of Telkom Strategic Insights
- Cultivate and manage working relationships with a variety of stakeholders to support the design and delivery of data science projects and solutions
- Develop business cases for new solutions or products, and establish the value for existing projects
- Determine the most appropriate data science tools/ approaches for specific projects
- Execute end to end data science projects and product development processes
- Engage with our data engineering team to ensure any AI products or solutions are managed
- Identify and manage resource requirements including people and systems
- Lead and develop a team of data scientists and provide hands on guidance
- Establish, document and champion data science best practices in the team
- Help Strategic Insights become thought leaders in the areas of data science and artificial intelligence
- Stay abreast of new developments and solutions in the market to ensure we don't fall behind
- Contribute to our agile way of work and our innovation culture
- Consistent documentation of all implemented systems and processes
**Required Certification**:
Data science and cloud certifications will be advantageous (GCP, Azure, AWS).
**Qualifications**:
Post graduate degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field (NQF level 7);
OR a qualified Actuary with data science experience. A Master's degree (NQF level 9) will be an advantage
**Experience**:
7 years of work experience in the field of data science with at least 2 years having been on management/ specialist level. Experience in ICT/
Telecommunications will be an advantage.
**Special Requirements**:
Experience in Natural Language Processing. Strong statistical &
mathematical foundations. Experience with Google Cloud Platform. Expected to stay abreast of new data science developments and to put them into practice.
**Comments**:
The Company adopted a hybrid operating model whereby employees will have two registered workplace locations. This job is identified to be performed from home therefor the home-base office location is the primary workplace and the official office-based location is the secondary workplace.