Data Scientist

Overview
Data Scientist
role at
Australian Financial Complaints Authority
.
Fairness feels good. Make a real impact at AFCA, where fairness drives every decision. AFCA is a not-for-profit and progressive financial ombudsman championing positive change. We're looking for progressive thinkers who value accountability and resilience, with inclusive leadership that values every voice. AFCA offers flexible work options, thoughtful benefits and opportunities to deepen expertise in a diverse, caring culture that puts people first.
Job Description
The
Data Scientist
role will be pivotal in ensuring the continuity and growth of AFCA's AI services and in achieving and implementing its future AI and data roadmaps. You'll harness AFCA's modern data platform and Microsoft services to uncover patterns, trends, and relationships across structured and unstructured data. You'll build classification, prediction, and optimisation models that deliver tailored, actionable insights. Working with internal teams and external partners, you'll help deliver sustainable, innovative, and ethical AI solutions that support AFCA's strategic goals. We currently have two open positions: 1 x permanent and 1 x 12-month contract.
Responsibilities
Design, implement, and test analytical models using tools like Azure Databricks, Synapse Analytics, and AI Foundry
Lead experiments to compare analytical methods and refine performance
Deploy solutions within AFCA's change management framework and monitor performance over time
Participate in requirements workshops and contribute to solution design
Collaborate with report developers to communicate insights through reports and visualisations
Act as a bridge between business needs and technical delivery
Maintain analytics workloads and support continuity of data science services
Respond to alerts/outages and escalate as needed
Provide project support, including coordination with third-party providers
Maintain high-quality documentation (requirements, evaluations, code repositories)
Build prompt libraries and guardrails in Azure AI Foundry
Define success metrics (accuracy, bias, hallucination rate) and run A/B tests
Lead design and evaluation of LLM and RAG-based solutions, including fine-tuning models
Qualifications
A degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a Data related field
Proven experience in working with advanced analytics platforms, data science and/or data and AI projects
Strong knowledge and experience in data science technologies including Databricks, Python, SQL, ML, AI and/or generative AI concepts/tools
Experience in deploying LLM-based solutions using Azure OpenAI or similar tools
Knowledge of data analysis, deep learning, statistics, artificial intelligence, and relational and dimensional data models
Strong interpersonal skills including oral and written communication
Strong attention to detail, initiative and the ability to work unsupervised
The ability to adopt a flexible/innovative approach to problems and opportunities
Additional Information
BOSS Best Places to Work 2024 – recognised for culture, engagement and flexible working arrangements
Most Inclusive Workplace 2024 – Australian HR Institute (AHRI) Awards
Employer of Choice Public Sector and NFP – Australian HR Awards 2023
Silver AWEI Accreditation 2025 – recognised for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion
Accredited Family Friendly Workplace – supporting work-life balance and inclusivity
Hybrid working – flexible arrangements with state-of-the-art offices designed for collaboration and wellbeing
Inclusive leave options – flexible public holidays, 20 weeks paid parental leave, gender affirmation leave, women's health leave, and paid time off over Christmas
Financial benefits – not-for-profit salary packaging to boost take-home pay
Locations – a team of over 1,200 professionals based in modern Melbourne and Sydney CBD offices
To apply
If you're passionate about fairness and believe your skills align with this role, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every criterion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. If you require accessibility support during the recruitment process, please reach out to . AFCA is a 2025 Circle Back Initiative Employer—we are committed to responding to every applicant.
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