Sen. Specialist: Data Analytics

About the Position

In an ever-changing environment, we have built a responsive and agile organisation to give effect to our strategic intent of achieving voluntary compliance. We invite you to be part of the special team that contributes to the collection of revenue, protect the economy and people of South Africa. We believe that your skills, commitment, and dedication will add value and make a difference to the organisation and country.  Integrity is key to the organisation.

Job Purpose

To be responsible for importing, cleansing, transforming, validating, aggregating and analysing data from various sources with the purpose of making conclusions about industry trends and best practices. To develop implementation plans and give strategic advice on data analytics strategies to achieve business objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) in Analytics / Information Systems / Computer Science with 10 – 12 years' experience in Data / Computer Science / Financial of which  3 - 4 years  at a specialist level.

Alternative #

Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) with 12 - 15 years’ of experience in Data / Computer Science / Financial of which  3 - 4 years  at a specialist level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Experience in Data Engineering / Business Data Intelligence / Data Science. Expert (recognized authority) technical expertise regarding data processes, data cleaning, analysis, reporting, data models, and database design and testing.


• Knowledge of and experience with reporting packages (SQL or equivalent, etc.), databases (SQL etc.), programming (SQL, R, Python, etc.), Expert (recognized authority) knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analysing datasets (Excel, SPSS, SAS, R etc.), Expert (recognized authority) Data warehouse knowledge. 


• Be an expert in the application of: Basic Data Migration,  Basic Data Visualization, Business Intelligence Methodologies, Database Knowledge.  Expert (recognized authority) Programming Skills.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Constantly monitor the integrity and quality of data and processes to identify deficiencies and facilitate improvement.


• Note potential problems and obstacles, accumulate supporting data and initiate actions to prevent or overcome predicted problems as may be identified.


• Review the effectiveness of related approaches and methodologies by conducting research, and best practice benchmarking initiatives.


• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices.


• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans.


• Develop multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks, supporting tactical development and excellence.


• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.


• Influence and communicate across business areas impacted by practice area to minimise resistance and ensure on-boarding of new thinking.


• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes.


• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy development and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain.


• Plan for value-added, continuous multiple practice and system improvement optimisation to deliver on objectives and to enhance tactical excellence.


• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives, developing best practice solutions.


• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice areas and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation.


• Translate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.


• Conduct assessments and use information to advise, make recommendations and facilitate improvement.


• Builds and manage/maintain database to house data collected from various


• Analyses data, creates summary reporting, and performs analysis to support the decision making of research, senior management, member companies and internal departments.


• Gathers data from multiple sources and assimilates into meaningful inputs for databases.


• Manages market research projects from start to finish. Meet all timelines, budgets, and objectives.


• Conducts analysis, summarizes key findings and trends, and produces data sheets, graphics and presentations.


• Utilise basic complex / advance visualisation techniques to communicate the outcome of analysis and findings to both internal and external customers.


• Assist in the filtering and cleaning of imported data by reviewing computer reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct code problems.


• Research best practices and supports developing the solutions and recommendations for the current business operations.


• Identify, analyse and interpret trends and patterns in complex / advance data sets, based on data findings.


• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.


• Design, develop and test complex / advance data analytics solutions like Reports, Dashboards, Analysis, Extracts, Models, etc.


• Perform complex / advance business analysis using various techniques, e.g. statistical analysis, explanatory and predictive modelling, data mining.


• Research best practices; develops implementation plan of operational and cost improvement strategies; assists in seeking, evaluating and implementing new technology.


• Works with research analysts to plan, create and distribute surveys.

Governance

• Develop and /or align governance and compliance policies for own practice areas to identify and manage risk exposure liability.

People

• Provide specialist know-how, support, advice and leadership in area of expertise.


• Integrate new knowledge and transfer skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.


• Provide specialist know-how, support, advice and practice thought leadership in area of expertise.

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of specialisation.

Client

• Develop and ensure implementation of own practices to build delivery excellence, encouraging others to provide exceptional stakeholder service.


• Participate in the specialist practice community and contribute positively to organisation knowledge management.


• Provide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural Competencies

• Accountability


• Adaptability


• Analytical thinking


• Attention to details


• Commitment to Continuous Learning


• Conceptual ability


• Diversity awareness


• Expertise in Context


• Fairness and Transparency


• Honesty & Integrity


• Organisational Awareness


• Problem Solving and Analysis


• Respect


• Trust

Technical Competencies

• Business Knowledge


• Creative and Innovative Thinking


• Data Analysis


• Data Collection and Analysis


• Data Design and Management


• Efficiency improvement


• Functional Policies & Procedures


• Information Management


• Policy development


• Reporting


• Data visualisation


• Data Analytics and Computational Modelling


• Data Analytics through the use of statistical and computational techniques and tools.

Compliance Competency

• GOC Secret

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.