Company Description:

Founded in 1945, the National Social Security Office (ONSS) plays a vital role in social security in Belgium. In close collaboration with policymakers, employer organizations, and labor organizations, the ONSS provides a multitude of essential services, including the efficient collection of social contributions, the collection and control of salary and working time data, as well as supporting employers in their declarations. The ONSS is also responsible for financing the social security system and supports the regional target group policy through the management of contributions. The data collected is centralized in the Crossroads Bank for Social Security, providing a crucial basis for calculating social rights and serving as a statistical information source on the labor market. Dedicated to the protection of workers, the ONSS fights against fraud and abuse, strengthening social protection in Belgium.

Missions:

As Lead Specialist Analytics & AI, you will be a key player in defining and implementing the data, analytics, and AI strategy of the ONSS. You will be responsible for setting up innovative solutions to improve service quality and strengthen the detection of social fraud, leading a team of experts covering the areas of Data Engineering, Graph Engineering, Solution Architecture, Data Science, MLOps, Business Analysis, and Project Management. You will also need to advocate for your ideas and recommendations up to the C-level, influencing strategic decisions.

Main Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategic vision for Analytics & AI aligned with the objectives of the ONSS
• Oversee the design and implementation of data architectures
• Help the ONSS refine and execute its data strategy
• Oversee the design to production deployment of AI models
• Oversee advanced analytics solutions for fraud detection and process optimization
• Strengthen the maturity of the Analytics & AI domain within the ONSS
• Ensure data governance and regulatory compliance
• Integrate European rules and standards
• Identify and integrate emerging technologies
• Establish strategic relationships with other institutions (IPSS, FODs, public and private partners)
• Promote a data-driven culture and act as an educator to support change
• Present and defend your recommendations to top management and C-level
• Be the key point of contact for ONSS staff regarding AI

Required Skills

• Expert in Data Engineering, Data Science, and MLOps
• Experience with different types of databases (SQL, graphs, etc.)
• Mastery of various AI algorithms (supervised, unsupervised, NLP, deep learning)
• Track record of deploying large-scale AI models into production
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP)
• Proficiency in BI and advanced analytics tools
• Understanding of ONSS operations and social security mechanisms
• Knowledge of types of fraud in Belgium and detection methods
• Knowledge of European regulations (AI Act, GDPR, Data Governance Act)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in coordination and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to influence and convince at the executive level
• Soft skills: Communication, education, strategic vision, innovative mindset
• Languages: Trilingual required (French, Dutch, English)

Desired Profile

• Master’s degree in computer science, data science, or equivalent (PhD is a plus)
• Minimum 12 years of experience in data and AI, including at least 7 years in management
• Solid experience in complex and regulated environments