Senior Data Scientist

Job Description

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1.

The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa.
Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2025.

Vodacom is a Leading African Mobile communication company providing wider range of communication services including mobile voice, messaging, data and converged services to over 200 million customers. From our roots in South Africa, we have grown our mobile network business to include operations in Tanzania, DRC, Mozambique, Kenya, Lesotho, Egypt and now Ethiopia. The mobile networks cover a total population of approximately 250 million people. Through Vodacom Business Africa (VBA) we also offer business managed services to enterprises in over 40 countries across the continent.

We employ individuals who are as passionate about customers as we are. We are truly Customer Obsessed, which means that we are passionate about exceeding customer expectations; work relentlessly to really understand the customer; look at decisions through the customer’s eyes and take personal accountability for the customer experience. We are looking for people with a passion for Artificial Intelligence and Big Data.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Create AI products that provide actionable business insight to Vodacom and its stakeholder
• Developing predictive models with large and varied datasets, working with a community of colleagues across Advanced Analytics, technology, and data and customer functions
• Contributing to the wider community to enable AI capability across Vodafone globally.
• Development of machine learning models for various areas of the business on the Big Data Platforms
• Machine Learning model performance tracking and reporting. e.g. Use data visualizations to engage audience in a compelling way, enabling effective storytelling
• Work with lead and principal data scientists to deliver key strategic initiatives to meet the needs of business customers
• Works in partnership with Big Data Engineering team to automate, integrate & productionize AI workloads.
• Work in partnership business decision support team to provide Big Data insights
• Mentorship to data scientists in the team
• Present results to technical and non- technical audiences

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in quantitative fields like Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Computer Science Engineering, Artificial Intelligence or related fields (essential)

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

• A minimum of 4-6 years relevant experience in Big Data & Data Science.
• Experiencing working with and mentoring/coaching data scientists in training
• Experience in data manipulation: use of structured data tools (e.g., SQL), and unstructured data platforms (e.g. PySpark, NoSQL)
• Proficiency in at least one relevant programming language: Python, R, Java
• Experience across major machine learning model frameworks (e.g. H2O, scikit-learn, PyTorch, Tensorflow) and techniques (e.g. random forest, gradient boosting, k-means segmentation, multiple regression, factor analysis, time-series forecasting)
• Exposure to cloud native deployment of models and working with containerized technologies such as Docker and Kurbernetees.
• Knowledge of MLOps and LLMOps concepts and deployment of models through batch and real-time architectures.
• Professional and/or academic experience in Big Data analytics & deployment of models and algorithms to solve real-world problems (with deep statistical and machine learning modelling expertise)
• Familiarity with visualization tools (e.g. Tableau, Qlik, D3, Apache Superset, Plotly, PowerBI, Opensearch, Grafana)
• Good interpersonal communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Analytical and expansive thinking with a strong desire to deliver and develop.
• Experience working with teams and coaching data scientists
• Design & Systems Thinking in relation to AI and Machine Learning Eco Systems.
• Real-time Decisioning & Intelligence use case deployment and evaluation experience.

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 15 August 2025

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom Campus

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.