Data Scientist

Are you passionate about using data, advanced analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve complex business challenges and unlock new opportunities? Do you have the expertise to transform data into actionable insights, intelligent models and innovative solutions that deliver measurable business impact?

Co-op Bank is seeking a talented Data Scientist to join its growing AI and data capabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of banking by applying data science, machine learning and AI to enhance customer experiences, strengthen risk management, improve operational efficiency and drive sustainable business growth.

Working within cross-functional teams, the successful candidate will apply advanced analytics, statistical modelling and AI techniques to solve priority business problems and improve decision-making. The role will involve developing, validating and deploying predictive and AI models across areas such as credit, fraud detection, collections, customer engagement and banking operations, while ensuring that solutions are responsible, reliable and deliver measurable value.

The Role

Specifically, the successful jobholder will be required to:

• Collaborate with business and product teams to identify priority business challenges, define analytical approaches and establish measurable outcomes.
• Analyse complex datasets to uncover trends, patterns and opportunities, translating findings into actionable insights and recommendations for business leaders and stakeholders.
• Develop, train, test and validate statistical, machine learning, generative AI and optimisation models using robust and reproducible methodologies.
• Establish model performance benchmarks, validation criteria and monitoring frameworks, ensuring fairness, explainability, appropriate human oversight and compliance with the Bank’s responsible AI and model risk requirements.
• Work with Data Engineers and Application Engineers to deploy models and AI solutions into production using approved MLOps/LLMOps practices.
• Design and conduct experiments, pilots and post-deployment evaluations to measure business impact and continuously improve model performance.
• Monitor model effectiveness and business outcomes, identify performance deterioration or data drift, and recommend model recalibration, retraining or retirement where necessary.
• Maintain comprehensive model documentation, code and validation evidence to support governance, audit and ongoing model management.
• Contribute reusable analytical assets and share knowledge to strengthen data science and AI capabilities across the Bank.

Skills, Competencies and Experience

The successful candidate will be required to have the following skills and competencies:

• A bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Operations Research or a related quantitative field.
• At least four (4) years of relevant experience in data science, advanced analytics, machine learning or applied AI.
• Demonstrated experience taking analytical or machine learning solutions from problem definition through validation to production deployment.
• Proficiency in Python or R and SQL, with strong knowledge of statistical modelling, machine learning, feature engineering and model evaluation.
• Experience in credit, fraud, collections, customer analytics, banking operations or a related business domain will be an added advantage.
• A relevant master’s degree or professional certification in data science, machine learning, cloud computing or AI will be an added advantage.

How to Apply

If you are curious, analytical and passionate about applying AI and data science to real-world business challenges, we invite you to apply and help us build the next generation of intelligent banking solutions.

Forward your application letter enclosing a detailed Curriculum Vitae to jobs@co-opbank.co.ke, indicating the job reference number DS/IID/2026, by 9 November 2026.