Junior Analyst

About the Position

The Junior Analyst role is positioned within Customs Product & Process, Governance and Support, which includes Prohibited and Restricted Goods (P&R) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) support functions. The role will support the design, governance, maintenance and continuous improvement of Customs products, processes, policies, procedures and operational guidance across the Customs value chain. The incumbent will assist with collecting, validating and analysing information; preparing reports and recommendations; supporting product and process reviews; monitoring implementation gaps; and contributing to work that strengthens voluntary compliance, trade facilitation, operational efficiency, stakeholder integration and Customs modernisation.

Job Purpose

To provide operational, analytical, policy and process support to Customs Product & Process in line with its mandate to design, maintain, improve and govern Customs products, processes, procedures and operational guidance across the Customs value chain. The role supports the Customs strategy by assisting with data quality management, research, trend and gap analysis, product and process reviews, implementation monitoring, reporting and stakeholder engagement. This includes support to the Prohibited and Restricted Goods (P&R) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) functions, and contributes to trade facilitation, voluntary compliance, risk-informed decision-making, legal and procedural consistency, operational efficiency and continuous improvement within Customs.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

National Diploma / Advanced Certificate (NQF 6) in Economics, Business Management, Law AND 2 - 3 years' experience in Customs, Research, or Tax Compliance, Excise, Policy, Governance, Data Analysis, Process Analysis, Product Support to a Similar regulatory environment of which 1 -2 years at a knowledge worker level.

Alternative #

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 5 years in Customs, Research, or Tax Compliance, Excise, Policy, Governance, Data Analysis, Process Analysis, Product Support to a Similar regulatory environment of which 1 -2 years at a knowledge worker level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• The incumbent must have a sound working understanding of the Customs environment and the Customs Product & Process mandate, including the design, maintenance, governance and continuous improvement of Customs products, processes, policies, standard operating procedures, guidelines and operational support material.


• The role requires the ability to collect, validate, interpret and analyse Customs-related information and data; identify trends, process gaps, implementation issues, risks and inconsistencies; support product and process reviews; contribute to research, policy and procedural analysis; prepare accurate reports, recommendations and briefing inputs; and assist with implementation monitoring and stakeholder support.


• The incumbent must also be able to support work relating to Prohibited and Restricted Goods (P&R), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), trade facilitation, voluntary compliance, operational efficiency and Customs modernisation, while correctly applying confidentiality, governance, legislative, policy and procedural requirements, including the responsible handling of Government Official Confidential information.


• Knowledge of  Customs, Tax, Law, Commerce, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Data Analytics, Research or a related field.


• Experience in Customs, research, or tax compliance. Experience in Customs, Excise, tax compliance, policy, governance, research, data analysis, process analysis, product support or similar regulatory environment.


• Familiarity with Customs and Excise processes, product and process governance, policy and procedural documents, stakeholder support, reporting and data quality management will be an advantage.


• Customs and Excise legislative, policy and procedural compliance.


• Customs product and process governance compliance.


• Information security, confidentiality and taxpayer/trader information protection.


• Risk identification, escalation and control awareness within the Customs environment.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Accumulate information and provide reports with recommendations applicable to area of specialisation.


• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.


• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.


• Effectively plan and schedule own activities to continuously improve quality and service delivery in area of specialisation.


• Execute process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.


• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process product and risk optimisation.


• Correctly apply policies, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.


• Use practical and applied knowledge and situational judgement to consider policy implications and to arrive at decisions / conclusions.


• Identify and resolve queries and problems timeously, apply discretion in line with process guidelines provided.


• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers, SARS role players and third parties to achieve predefined objectives.


• Collect and collate data, analyse information and provide reports and recommendations.


• Be observant and engage on possible violations of procedures and standards of conduct and escalate where necessary.

Governance

• Comply to set governance and compliance procedures and processes related to an area of specialisation and continuously identify and escalate risks.


• Ensure that completed work adheres to relevant policies, procedures, governance and legislative requirements and report on deviations & discrepancies.

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.


• Ensure own understanding and adherence to customer service delivery and provide specialist support to meet or exceed customer expectations.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability


• Analytical Thinking


• Attention to Detail


• Commitment to Continuous Learning


• Conceptual Ability


• Expertise in Context


• Fairness and Transparency


• Honesty and Integrity


• Organisational Awareness


• Respect


• Trust

Technical competencies

• Business Knowledge


• Data Analysis


• Data Collection and Analysis


• Data Management


• Efficiency improvement


• Functional Policies and Procedures


• Reporting

Compliance Competency

• Government Official Confidential

Employment Equity

The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and/or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.