Opportunities: Senior Specialist, Data Analytics and Innovation

About Us

Senior Specialist, Data Analytics and Innovation

One (1) Vacancy

Permanent, Halifax, NS

Our goal is to build a diverse workforce that reflects the citizens we serve. The Office of the Auditor General has an Employment Equity Policy and welcomes applications from Aboriginal Peoples, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities, and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you belong to one of these groups, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter or resume.

Why Join Us?

At the Office of the Auditor General of Nova Scotia, we provide independent assurance to the House of Assembly on the government’s use of public funds and performance. With about 40 professionals, we’re small enough that you’ll quickly build meaningful relationships and have your voice heard, but large enough to give you exposure to complex, high-profile audits that make a real difference in areas like healthcare, education, social services, and public safety. For more information, please visit www.oag-ns.ca.

We offer:

• Career development – We are committed to your professional growth. We fund annual CPD requirements and support participation in professional networks and legislative audit committees. This is a senior, highly visible role where your contributions will directly shape how the Office approaches data analytics, IT audit, and AI. You will work across all audit teams, engage with leadership, and build capability at the organizational level.


• Comprehensive benefits – Competitive salary, extended health and dental benefits, life insurance, and a defined benefit pension plan. 


• Work-life balance – Flexible hours, hybrid work options, and Flex Fridays.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Deputy Auditor General, the Senior Specialist, Data Analytics and Innovation is the Office’s primary internal resource on data analytics, IT audit techniques, and artificial intelligence (AI). This is a hands-on senior role: the incumbent is equally accountable for directly executing analytics work on audit engagements and for providing strategic advice to audit teams and senior leadership. The position supports both the Financial Audit and Performance Audit teams and operates with a high degree of independence and professional judgment. Limited travel within Nova Scotia may be required.

The Senior Specialist also serves as the designated backup for the Computer Services Officer during periods of absence, providing continuity for urgent IT issues and essential systems functions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Performing data extraction, transformation, validation, and analysis to support audit objectives, applying tools such as SQL, Python, and audit analytics software


• Identifying risks, anomalies, trends, and control issues through analysis of large and complex data sets, and documenting procedures in accordance with audit standards


• Applying AI tools directly within audit procedures where appropriate, and assessing their outputs critically


• Advising audit teams on data acquisition, analytics approaches, and use of emerging tools including AI


• Assisting audit teams in developing and executing audit procedures for IT general controls, including large and complex systems


• Coaching and supporting audit staff in developing foundational analytics skills and developing practical guidance for consistent use across the Office


• Leading or supporting pilot initiatives and experimentation with new analytics, IT audit, and AI tools


• Providing recommendations to senior leadership on priorities, tools, investments, and capability development, including business cases where appropriate


• Maintaining awareness of leading practices in other legislative audit offices and professional communities

What We're Looking For

You are a senior analytics professional who thrives at the intersection of data, technology, and audit. You bring:

• Post-secondary degree in a relevant field such as Data Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related discipline


• A minimum of five years of progressive experience in data mining, data analytics, predictive analytics, and data programming


• Demonstrated experience with data analytics tools and programming languages such as Python, SQL, R, Power BI, Tableau, IDEA, or ACL


• Experience with relational and non-relational database environments (e.g., SQL, Oracle, DB2, MongoDB) and data warehouses


• Experience developing and documenting analytics procedures, guidance, or standards


• Experience in planning and executing audit procedures for IT general controls to support financial statement audits and performance audits


• Experience coaching, training, or mentoring others in data analytics concepts and tools


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to adapt methodologies to ambiguous or incomplete data


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex analytical findings clearly to diverse audiences


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and meet tight deadlines


• High degree of professionalism, ethical judgment, and confidentiality

Asset Qualifications:

• Experience performing data analytics in an auditing or accounting environment


• Familiarity with AI tools and their application in a professional or assurance context


• CPA designation or equivalent recognized by CPA Canada


• Knowledge of Canadian Standards on Assurance Engagements (CSAE)

Details

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer.

How To Apply

Closing date: June 26, 2026

Send your cover letter and resume in one PDF to [email protected].

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.