Specialist: Data Analytics

Job Title: Specialist: Data Analytics

Position Reports to: Senior Specialist: Compliance Risk

Division: Taxpayer Engagement Operations

Location: Durban or Pretoria

Advert Closing Date: 16 November 2026

About the Position

As a Specialist: Data Analytics at SARS, you will transform complex data into actionable insights that drive strategic decisions and operational excellence. This role offers the opportunity to work with advanced analytics tools such as Power BI, SQL, and Python/R, while collaborating across teams to design robust data frameworks, optimize processes, and enhance compliance. If you are passionate about turning data into value and want to make a meaningful impact on South Africa’s revenue system, join us and be part of a dynamic, innovative environment where your expertise truly matters.

Job Purpose

To analyse and provide expert advice with regards to data analytics in order to achieve business objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Computer Science, Statistics or Mathematics and 8 - 10 years' experience in a Data Analytics and Data Matching environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level.

Alternative #

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) and 15 years' experience in a Data Analytics and Data Matching 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:

o Basic Data Migration

o Basic Data Visualization

o Business Intelligence Methodologies

o 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

• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices.
• Conduct assessments and use information to advise, make recommendations and facilitate improvement.
• 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.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice areas and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation.
• 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, apply modification 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.
• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• Perform complex / advanced business analysis using various techniques, e.g. statistical analysis, explanatory and predictive modelling, data mining.
• Design, develop and test complex / advance data analytics solutions like Reports, Dashboards, Analysis, Extracts, Models, etc.
• Identify, analyse and interpret trends and patterns in complex / advance data sets, based on data findings.
• Ensure the availability of existing data analytics solutions (like reports, etc.) by maintaining them as well as improving them where shortcomings exist.
• Analyses data, creates summary reporting, and performs analysis to support the decision making of research, senior management, member companies and internal departments.
• Assist in the filtering and 'cleaning' of imported data by reviewing computer reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct code problems.
• Acquiring data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• Builds and manage/maintain database to house data collected from various sources.
• Conducts analysis, summarizes key findings and trends, and produces data sheets, graphics and presentations.
• Communicate the results of their analysis and findings by using basic complex / advance visualisation techniques with both internal and external customers.
• Gathers data from multiple sources and assimilates into meaningful inputs for databases.

Governance

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

Finance

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

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.

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 Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect
• Trust

Technical competencies

• Business Knowledge
• Data Analytics
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Data Governance
• Data Integrity
• Efficiency Improvement
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Knowledge Management
• Reporting
• Statistical and Mathematical Analysis
• System Thinking

Compliance Competency

• GOC 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.