What is the Certified Data Science Specialist?

The Certified Data Science Specialist is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Information Technology.

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 12 Week and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@leadership.co.ke, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Data Science Specialist (CDSS) | Online Certification

Executive Summary

Certified Data Science Specialist

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Data Science Specialist (CDSS) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in information technology, software, data and digital systems.

This 12 Week programme is structured around ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CDSS holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Data Science Specialist

Acronym

CDSS

Who Should Enrol?

Deployment and Lifecycle — applied to your own work
What These Systems Can and Cannot Do — applied to your own work
Data Quality Behind a Model — applied to your own work
Causation, Bias and Testing — applied to your own work
Responsible and Lawful Use — applied to your own work
From Model to Decision — applied to your own work

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards senior engineering, architecture and IT leadership roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards

Operational Excellence

Apply world-class frameworks to improve performance and outcomes

Strategic Thinking

Develop the analytical and strategic skills demanded at the executive level

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to information technology

Global Employability

Qualify for information technology roles across technology firms, corporates, startups and public institutions worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Systems, Architecture and Infrastructure

✦Software Development and Application Delivery

✦Data, Analytics and Emerging Technologies

✦Networks, Cloud and Platform Engineering

✦IT Service Management and Governance

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

Click any module to explore the detailed curriculum topics included in this certification.

Foundations and Strategic Context of Certified Data Science Specialist

Certified Data Science Specialist: industry context, trends and professional standards
Computing fundamentals and IT concepts
The role of IT in business and value creation
IT operating models and organisation
Hardware, software and systems overview
The technology landscape and trends
IT professional roles and standards
Digital transformation and IT strategy
Ethics, responsibility and digital citizenship
IT service and product mindset
Career pathways and professional development

Deployment and Lifecycle

Requirements and the specification gap
Technical debt and system lifecycle
Cloud, infrastructure and the connectivity constraint
Automation and where it genuinely pays
Analytical techniques and bias
Databases and persistence
Data storytelling and communicating findings
CI/CD and release management
Financial reporting frameworks (IFRS/GAAP)
Interpreting financial statements
Reporting quality and governance
Management accounts and dashboards
DevOps culture and practices
Budget vs actual and variance
Automated testing strategies

What These Systems Can and Cannot Do

Artificial intelligence: capability, limits and responsible use
Correlation, causation and experiment design
Turning analysis into a decision
Managing resistance and upskilling
Cost and profitability analysis
Scaling technology and teams
Measuring digital transformation impact
Professional ethics in technology
Data ethics, privacy and protection
Forecasting and planning
Data visualisation for finance
Decision support and insight
Digital accessibility and inclusion
Governance, risk and compliance
Sustainability and green IT

Data Quality Behind a Model

Data quality and the fitness-for-purpose test
Systems integration and the single source of truth
Correlation, causation and experiment design
Communicating financial results
Process optimisation and RPA
System performance and tuning
Upgrades and roadmap management
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches
Compliance and audit in ERP
Data governance in enterprise systems
Attachment and developmental theory
Measuring ERP value
Professional roles, boundaries and settings
Ethical principles and codes of practice
Peer support and consultation

Causation, Bias and Testing

Correlation, causation and experiment design
Artificial intelligence: capability, limits and responsible use
Turning analysis into a decision
Sustaining ethical, effective practice
Ethical frameworks and codes of practice
Scalability, availability and performance
Duty of care and risk management
Digital transformation strategy
Agile and product operating models
Innovation and experimentation culture
Data-driven and platform business models
Regulatory awareness (GDPR and beyond)
IT KPIs, SLAs and scorecards
System performance and reliability metrics
Quality, defects and reliability

Responsible and Lawful Use

Artificial intelligence: capability, limits and responsible use
Data protection and privacy by design
Cybersecurity fundamentals and the human factor
Fit-gap analysis and selection
Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise
Legal responsibilities and professional bodies
Client feedback and satisfaction
Evidence-based improvement
Managing risk and difficult cases
Lessons learned and development
Training and change management
Driving effective, ethical outcomes
Project governance and risk
Vendor and partner management
Reporting and enterprise analytics

From Model to Decision

Turning analysis into a decision
Artificial intelligence: capability, limits and responsible use
Delivering technology change that people adopt
Designing and facilitating groups
Performance tuning and optimisation
Continual improvement
Requirements engineering and user stories
Version control and collaborative development
Testing, QA and test automation
DevOps, CI/CD and release management
Agile, Scrum and Kanban delivery
Web and mobile application development
Software design patterns and quality
Maintenance, refactoring and technical debt
Data modelling and database design

Procurement and Supply

Finance, procurement and supply modules
Third-party and supply-chain risk
Procurement maturity assessment
Driving measurable procurement value
Capstone scoping: a real sourcing or supply challenge
Designing a sourcing or supply strategy
Supply market analysis and Porter’s forces
Logistics and distribution network design
Inventory management and optimisation
Logistics performance and cost control
Demand and supply planning (S&OP)
Continuous improvement and lean procurement
Procurement KPIs and savings measurement
Psychoeducation and workshops
Designing an intervention or programme

Workforce

Employee engagement models and drivers
The employee lifecycle and HR value chain
Strategic workforce planning and demand forecasting
Communicating risk to the workforce
Workforce and shift management in retail
Workforce management and scheduling
Workforce planning and scheduling
Employee experience and engagement
Customer and employee satisfaction
Recruitment marketing and candidate attraction
Employer branding and employee value proposition (EVP)
Customer (employee/manager) satisfaction
Applicant tracking systems and recruitment analytics
Digital HR and the employee experience platform
Data protection and employee privacy

Ethics and Standards

Ethics and responsible innovation
Digital ethics and algorithmic accountability
Ethical and responsible technology
Ethics in communications
Corporate social responsibility communications
Ethics and professional standards in finance
Responsibility accounting and cost centres
Responsible and sustainable governance
Embedding responsible business
Ethics, confidentiality and professional conduct in HR
Data ethics, privacy and responsible analytics
Marketing and sales ethics
Brand safety and responsible marketing
Sustainability and responsible marketing
Ethical, risk and feasibility considerations

International Context

Global sourcing and international trade
Transfer pricing and international tax
Cross-border data and transfers
Cross-cultural and global inclusion
Global and comparative HR contexts
International and cross-border tax
Professional case study and presentation
Key global frameworks: FAO, GlobalG.A.P., SDGs and national strategies
Grades, standards and export certification (GlobalG.A.P.)
Global sourcing and trade
The agricultural sector: systems, actors and global food value chains

Sustainability

Industrial utilities, energy and process safety interfaces
Energy efficiency and demand management
Mine water, tailings and environmental management
Integrated and sustainability reporting
The project environment and stakeholders
Sustainability and social impact in projects
Market analysis and environmental scanning
Evidence-based practice
Goal setting and contracting
Monitoring sustainability outcomes
Policy, institutions and the enabling environment for agriculture
Sustainability and responsible sourcing
Sustainable procurement principles and standards
Environmental, social and governance (ESG)
Sustainability reporting and disclosure

Learning and Knowledge

Deep learning and neural networks
Supervised and unsupervised learning
Training needs analysis and learning strategy
Instructional design and blended learning
Knowledge management and capability building
Learning technologies and the LMS
Monitoring, evaluation and learning for accountability
Lessons learned and knowledge management
Treatment planning and review
Complaint data and learning
Instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM)
The learning and development profession
Learning strategy and business alignment
Learning cultures and the learning organisation
Blended and hybrid learning design

Health and Safety Context

Telehealth and digital care delivery
Public health programmes: prevention and outreach
Managing complexity and comorbidity
Healthcare quality, safety and accreditation
Health financing: budgets, insurance and out-of-pocket realities
Working with organisations on wellbeing
Risk assessment and safety planning
Wellbeing and resilience coaching
Health, safety and compliance in delivery
Customer and brand health metrics
Brand health and measurement
Safety management systems overview (ISO 45001)
Safety culture and leadership
Safety communication and campaigns
Influencing and safety leadership

Technology Foundations

Digital transformation roadmaps
Innovation and technology investment
Team leadership in technology
Cloud and data security
Workplace and organisational contexts
Emerging-technology evaluation
Vendor selection and managing technology suppliers
Digital user experience and accessibility
Managing technology teams and technical work
Building digital capability in an organisation
LAN, WAN and network design
Software development lifecycle (SDLC)
Big data technologies and platforms
Network design, LAN/WAN and topologies
Cloud data platforms

Data and Evidence

Data warehousing and data lakes
ETL, data pipelines and engineering
Data analytics and visualisation
Data privacy and protection
ETL/ELT and data pipelines
Big data platforms (Spark, Hadoop)
Data architecture and integration
Statistics and exploratory data analysis
Evaluation metrics and monitoring
Dashboards and data storytelling
KPIs and metric design
Metrics, velocity and flow
Master data and configuration
Data and interoperability
Dashboards, reporting and the metric that misleads

Governance and Risk

Enterprise architecture governance
Risk, compliance and audit
Cyber risk management
Risk and regulatory considerations
Testing, quality assurance and defect economics
Quality assurance and code review
Risk management and security frameworks
Governance, compliance and standards (ISO 27001)
IT governance frameworks (COBIT)
Risk assessment methodology and matrices
Dynamic and site-specific risk assessment
Cybersecurity governance
Data breach and incident governance
Building trust through data governance
Committees: audit, risk, remuneration

Legal and Regulatory

Regulatory and privacy requirements
Smart contracts and dApps
Vendor, contract and asset management
Data protection and customer privacy
Regulatory reporting and audits
Regulatory liquidity ratios (LCR, NSFR)
Contract law and formation
Contract exit and renewal
Goal setting and action planning
Accounting concepts, principles and the regulatory landscape
Regulatory reporting and disclosure
Habit change and behaviour design
Subcontractor and supplier management
Regulation, ethics and misinformation in media and telecoms
Record-keeping and data protection

Delivery and Projects

Agile delivery and iterative development
Continuous improvement in delivery
IT project and portfolio management
Leading IT projects and change
Communications strategy and planning
Tender planning and documentation
Continuous improvement of delivery
Delivery and facilitation plan
Voice, communication and delivery
Continuous improvement of programmes
Project management principles and lifecycle
Negotiation strategy and planning
Transport modes, planning and optimisation
Demand planning and forecasting
Materials requirements planning (MRP)

Leadership and Decisions

Incident and problem management
Patching and change management
Cost, performance and capacity management
Turning insight into decisions
Innovation management and R&D
IT service management and ITIL
Incident, problem and change management
Configuration and asset management
IT financial management and value
Identity and access management
Vulnerability management
IT service management and support operations
IT operations and service management
Situational and adaptive leadership
Values, purpose and authentic leadership

Capability and Training

Setting professional goals and a personal development plan
Land-use planning, capability and degradation management
Facilitation, training and public presentation skills
Quality monitoring and coaching
Coaching and quality monitoring
Training and capability building
Coaching for performance
Development banking and project finance
Message development and testing
Supplier development and innovation
Training needs analysis
Delegating for development
Managing resistance and capability building
Category management and strategy development
Supplier development and improvement

Change and Adoption

User adoption and change
Change management and adoption
The finance function and digital transformation
Regulatory change management
Communication strategy in change programmes
Large-scale transformation and agile ways of working
Accountability and follow-through
Managing resistance and engagement
Measuring coaching outcomes
Variations, claims and delay: managing change on site
Change talk and readiness
Strengths, flow and engagement
Digital and market transformation
Behaviour change and adoption of innovations
Customer experience transformation

Operations and Service

Process modelling and mapping
APIs and service design
Service strategy, design and transition
Continual service improvement
Incident response process
ERP concepts and business processes
Natural language processing
Delivery, quality and stakeholder plan
Quality planning and assurance
Quality control and continuous improvement
Integrated risk and quality control
Cost, quality and cycle-time metrics
Time-to-hire, quality-of-hire and cost metrics
Data quality, integration and master data
Integration with quality and environment

Cost and Investment

Roadmapping and investment
Cost, performance and FinOps
Alternative investments
Ration formulation and least-cost feeding
Financial inclusion strategy
The role of finance in organisations and value creation
Feasibility, cost and quality analysis
Return on investment and impact
Financial, management and cost accounting distinguished
Financial statements and the accounting equation
Stakeholders and users of financial information
Continuous improvement of finance processes
Options appraisal and cost-benefit
Pay structures, benchmarking and market pricing
Cost of accidents and prevention value

Stakeholders and Vendors

Stakeholder and gap analysis
Stakeholder mapping and business partnering
Presenting and influencing
Negotiation with vendors
ERP platforms and vendors
Influencing and persuasion
Categories of spend and stakeholders
Supplier and category performance
Strategic customer relationships
Vendor, venue and supplier contracting for events
Managing boundaries and dual relationships
Trends: ESG, transparency and stakeholder capitalism
Shareholder and stakeholder rights
Stakeholder mapping and influencing
Employment relationship and the psychological contract

Communication and Documentation

Professional and technical documentation
Cryptography and secure communications
Business intelligence and reporting
Influencing and presenting insights
Professional and persuasive communication
Transaction monitoring and suspicious reporting
Process and control documentation
Control monitoring and reporting
Crisis communications
Stakeholder communications
Internal communications
Risk registers and reporting
Tax provisioning and reporting
Vehicle documentation, compliance and consumer protection
The media and telecommunications landscape

Users and Customers

Scaling innovation to production
Managing user and customer expectations
Team leadership in customer service
Customer onboarding and lifecycle
Banking products, services and delivery channels
Customer and community engagement
Treating customers fairly and market conduct
Data ethics and customer privacy
Market and interest-rate risk
Know Your Customer and enhanced due diligence
Data, analytics and customer insight
Voice of the customer to the business
Working with product and operations
Customer segmentation and needs analysis
Customer journey and experience design

Strategic Context

IT strategy and business alignment
Business models for new tech
Emerging threats and defensive strategy
Digital marketing strategy
Key account management strategy
Building strategic customer relationships
Competitive and market intelligence
Translating insight into strategy
Organic, inorganic and biological fertiliser strategies
Meaning, purpose and values
Scaling technologies and business models
Sourcing strategies and portfolio (Kraljic)
Manufacturing strategies: make-to-stock, make-to-order and batch versus flow
Content strategy across platforms
Emerging tools and innovation

Security

Security by design
Awareness and security culture
Risk, security and feasibility analysis
Fraud risk and controls
Incident reporting and record-keeping
Security governance and management systems
Ethics and professional conduct in security
Claims investigation and fraud indicators
Outcome and process measures
Cybersecurity and fraud technology
Requirements and analysis

Performance Measurement

Performance and optimisation
Concurrency and performance
Performance and load testing
Measuring IT value and performance
Evidence-based practice and research literacy
Policy, planning and objectives
Strategy execution and the balanced scorecard
High-performance team rituals and cadence
Contract performance and exit
Operations performance and throughput
Risk treatment and countermeasures
Dashboards and performance reporting
Capacity and performance management
Setting objectives, indicators and targets
Linking CX to business performance

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Deployment and Lifecycle — applied to your own work
What These Systems Can and Cannot Do — applied to your own work
Data Quality Behind a Model — applied to your own work
Causation, Bias and Testing — applied to your own work
Responsible and Lawful Use — applied to your own work
From Model to Decision — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

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Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CDSS certification?

The Certified Data Science Specialist (CDSS) is a Advanced-level professional certification awarded by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI). It is designed to equip professionals in information technology, software, data and digital systems with practical skills, internationally recognised frameworks, and the credentials needed to advance their careers.

Who should enrol in the CDSS?

This certification is ideal for IT and Systems Professionals, Software Developers and Engineers, Data and Analytics Specialists and IT Managers and Solution Architects, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in information technology, software, data and digital systems with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CDSS certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 12 Week and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CDSS internationally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

What is the cost of the CDSS certification?

The Certified Data Science Specialist is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CDSS certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CDSS?

The Certified Data Science Specialist is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CDSS?

The Certified Data Science Specialist carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CDSS while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CDSS?

Graduates progress towards senior engineering, architecture and IT leadership roles. The CDSS strengthens your expertise in information technology, software, data and digital systems and positions you for advancement across technology firms, corporates, startups and public institutions.

Certified Data Science Specialist

Certified Data Science Specialist

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

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