Specialist: Data Analytics

Job Title: Specialist: Data Analytics

Position Reports to: Senior Specialist: Market Segment Research

Division: Taxpayer Engagement Operations

Location: Lehae La SARS, Brooklyn Bridge Pretoria

Advert Closing Date: 12 October 2025

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 transform raw data into actionable insights that support evidence-based decision-making. This involves managing data quality, conducting advanced analyses, identifying trends and risks, developing reports and visualisations, and providing expert analytical advice that helps the organisation improve performance, compliance, and strategic outcomes.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Data Science / Statistics / Mathematics / Computer Science / Economics with 8 - 10 years' experience in a data analytics or analysis environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level.

Alternative #

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 15 years of experience in a Data Analytics or Analysis environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Experience in Data Engineering / Business Data Intelligence / Data Science. Advanced (applied theory) 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.).
• Advanced (applied theory) knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analysing datasets (Excel, SPSS, SAS, R etc.).
• Advanced (applied theory) Data warehouse knowledge.
• Be advance in the application of:

• Basic Data Migration
• Basic Data Visualization
• Business Intelligence Methodologies
• Database Knowledge

• Advanced (applied theory) Programming Skills i.e. SQL, and/or Python, R, etc.
• Microsoft skills (Advance in) i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Constantly monitor the integrity and quality of data and processes to identify deficiencies and facilitate improvement.
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans.
• Develop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure tactical implementation.
• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes.
• Note potential problems and obstacles, accumulate supporting data and initiate actions to prevent or overcome predicted problems as may be identified.
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain.
• Plan for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives, best practice implementation solutions.
• Research and support workable recommendations/solutions that meet business needs through information analysis.
• Review the effectiveness of related approaches and methodologies by conducting research, and best practice benchmarking initiatives.
• Translate top-down policy in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake information gathering, research and analyse data within broad guidelines to produce accurate plans and / or recommendations for business issues

Governance

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

People

• 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 a practice that builds service delivery excellence and encourages 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
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to details
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Thinking
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty & Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect
• Trust

Technical Competencies

• Business Knowledge
• Data Analytics
• Data Integrity
• Data Governance
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Functional Policies & Procedures
• Information Management
• Knowledge Management
• Policy development
• Reporting
• Statistics & Mathematical Analysis
• System Thinking

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.