Data Quality Analyst

The Position: 

Global Fishing Watch (GFW) started its journey almost 10 years ago creating the first global dataset of fishing based on public vessel tracking data. Since then, we have not only created tools for users to make that dataset actionable through an online platform and APIs, but we have continued to expand our released data products. 

Our pipeline is a series of processes that ingests data sources (e.g. Automatic Identification System (AIS), satellite imagery, vessel registries, external partner data sources), compiles, cleans, aggregates the information, and then applies a variety of algorithms and machine learning models to classify vessel activity (e.g. fishing, port visits, transshipments), behavior and identity. The data pipeline outputs are productive BigQuery tables that fuel our public-facing products (APIs, Map, and Data Download Portal), our analytic reports, and research papers.  

We then make these datasets available through our multiple products: 

• Public open map platforms with advanced data navigation, visualization, and real-time report generation allow users with no GIS or big data experience to obtain the data they need,
• Application Programming Interface (API)we allow users to access our data through our APIs to download or connect to their platforms, 
• Bulk data downloads, 
• Scientific journal publications

From a team of 5 researchers and software engineers, we have expanded to an organization of ~100 people with dedicated teams, including Research, Engineering, and Product. For this reason, we are looking to expand our Data Team. Four years ago, the Data Team initially began to manage the growing need for cross-team coordination and communication on data product releases. The Data Team’s sole focus is to manage the quality, documentation, accessibility, and ethical review of data products from initial integration into public production. As we’ve grown, the quality assurance work under the Data Team has also continued to evolve. 

The Data Quality Analyst will play a key role in the Data Team by helping to ensure the highest quality of data generated and data delivery in all Global Fishing Watch products. This will be done in multiple ways:

• Conducting quality assurance checks and monitoring of evolving Big Data datasets, including AIS, VMS, SAR, VIIRS, and other types of vessel identification data from different sources,
• Making visible to the organization and public the level of QA we have in the different datasets and owning the roadmap for adding QA to existing and new data, 
• Spreading a QA culture in the different areas of Global Fishing Watch through aiding in cross-team QA coordination and communication throughout each data pipeline

We are looking for a person who has software development or data QA experience. The person will require well-developed analytical skills, the ability to conduct impact assessments, cross-discipline communication skills, creativity, understanding data changes within APIs of evolving Big Data datasets, and must not be afraid of big challenges.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities Include:

End-to-End Review

• Provide thorough reviews and assessments of methodology changes in data developed by the Research and Engineering teams at GFW, including different types of data such as AIS, VMS, SAR, VIIRS, etc. 
• Work collaboratively across teams and specifically with Engineering to develop automated and continual quality control checks on productive pipelines’ outputs to detect anomalies immediately and ensure that the data published in APIs is consistent with the pipeline outputs
• Understand and act as a knowledge source of GFW data sources and pipelines, from ingestion of data to published data products in APIs
• Manage JIRA task management of QA tasks
• Aid in transitioning public facing data pipelines from an early ‘prototype’ stage to ‘production’ by improving release processes, pipeline consistency and stability, as well as promoting quality assurance best practices across various teams

Communication

• Work with other team members, create, organize, and track metrics to communicate quality assurance improvements and changes both for internal and external audiences
• Highlight the improvements and progress in quality assurance at GFW internal and external audiences through the creation of public dashboards and performance metrics.
• Aid in standardizing metadata requirements and data documentation

Planning and Development of QA Policies and Culture

• Work closely with the other Data Team members to institutionalize Global Fishing Watch standard QA protocols across all projects and teams
• Along with the Data Team and Engineering Team continue to advance understanding and cohesive use of the data staging concepts and requirements of datasets to move from proof-of-concept to published
• Aid in the standardization and improvement of QA tools used for pipeline review, including review templates for change impact assessment, automated monitoring alerts, and anomaly detection 

Other

• Develop and maintain an informed awareness of relevant topics to continually innovate on the application of GFW products to aid in the the sustainability of our ocean.
• Assist other team members with any ongoing needs, such as review of user reported data errors, data communication with external partners, and answering questions regarding data and our methodologies from external partners and internal teams

Job Requirements 

Required Experience and Competencies 

• Master's degree in a relevant area or equivalent professional experience (such as Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience in quality assurance, software engineering, data analytics, and/or fisheries science)
• Demonstrated track record of attention to detail, for example catching issues while reviewing pull requests or conducting root cause analysis of issues
• Demonstrated skills in QA/QC processes, specifically the ability to develop and carry out testing methodology to quantify change, inaccuracies, and inconsistencies in the data
• Trained in presenting QA findings and metrics in a digestible format to various audiences with the corresponding level of detail.
• Fluency with SQL and another coding language, such as Python or R 
• Proficiency in data visualization either through BI tools such as Power BI or Looker, or through packages such as ggplot2, Shiny, matplotlib, or plotly
• Experience with QA of public facing data products
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in evolving data and data quality
• Knowledge of agile methodologies to work on sprints and participate in planning meetings

Preferred

• Skilled data communicator and educator, trained in data ethics and accessibility standards
• Knowledge of big data pipelines and APIs
• Experience in fisheries compliance and/or monitoring, control and surveillance, especially regarding fisheries supply chain
• Fluency in Google BigQuery 
• Knowledge of AIS, Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), VMS and other satellite data
• Experience with metadata documentation and maintenance for Big Data
• Strong analytical skills, specifically understanding how to detect and replicate data errors and inconsistencies, how to detect changes in time series and evolving datasets, and how to develop reports to effectively communicate changes to team members. Specifically, this involves experience in Anomaly Detection, analysing differences in datasets across environments or versions, data unit test development, change impact analysis, and other change detection and data monitoring methodologies 
• Fluency in Spanish

Required Skills

• Fluent English speaker
• Good judgment and the ability to make and justify recommendations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English to effectively collaborate with designers, developers, product managers, and other relevant staff members or clients, and communicate complex technical and scientific information to non-technical audiences
• Team player, willing to work with, teach and learn from the GFW team
• Comfortable working in a small but fast-growing organization, with changing instructions and requirements
• Intellectually curious, forward-thinking, willing to suggest/try new technologies and creative approaches to problems
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work remotely and asynchronously

The successful candidate will meet most, but not necessarily all, of the criteria above. If you don’t think you check all the boxes, but believe you have unique skills that make you a great fit for the role, we want to hear from you!

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Additional Information

Note: The application period for this role closes on May 13, 2025

Reporting to: Senior Data Manager, Data Team

Manages: NA

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not supported at this time.

Location: This is a remote role, but candidates must be legally authorized and based in the following countries to be considered: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Fiji, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Senegal, UK, USA

Permanent/Fixed Term/Contractor: Fixed-term (2 years)

Full Time hours: Yes 

Recruiting process: Recruiting Process: A cover letter along with a CV will be requested to see how your experience and interest connect to the position. We expect the cover letter to allow applicants an opportunity to explain details on how their skill set aligns with the role and provide a better understanding of their suitability for the position. If selected for consideration, the hiring process for this position will include an initial call with our Talent Acquisition team, followed by a formal 45 minute interview with 1-3 team members. Candidates advancing beyond this round will be asked to take a technical assessment and/or submit a representative code sample. Lastly, a final interview with 2-4 teams members to review your assessment and assess functional skills.

Compensation: A compensation range for this position is US$ 80-90K per year for US-based employees, GBP 50-60k for UK based employees, USD  20-25/h for Brazil based employees, USD 20-30/h for Argentina based employees  - For applicants located outside of these locations, the pay range will be adjusted to the country of hire. Compensation is commensurate with experience and will vary depending on the hired candidate’s country of residence, in accordance with local laws and regulations. GFW offers pension/retirement, health and other benefits commensurate with similar level GFW employees in the country of employment. The position may be a GFW employee or consultant, depending on the country of residence  

Equal opportunities: Global Fishing Watch is an equal opportunities employer. Global Fishing Watch is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization and in the greater ocean management and conservation community. We believe that diverse backgrounds, skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger organization. Bringing together professionals who possess broad experiences and a spectrum of perspectives will enable us to reach our goal of improved ocean governance faster. We hire and promote qualified professionals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organizational goals match the urgent challenges facing our global ocean, and our mission is designed to help secure a healthy ocean for all. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of humanity’s diversity, by providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees of Global Fishing Watch and for our partners, vendors, suppliers and contractors.

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