Data Analyst II (Data Analytics) (GIS & Geospatial Analytics) at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To ensure effective management of the information life cycle or value chain that includes the identification, analysis and development of information assets and the assessment of business information needs.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required 

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geoinformatics, Geomatics, Geography, Computer Science or a related field with strong geospatial component AND 5-7 years' experience in a GIS, geospatial analytics, or spatial data environment, of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level

Alternative #

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 10 years related GIS experience, including spatial analytics, mapping operations or spatial data management, of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Practical experience with GIS tools and platforms (e.g. Elasticearch, ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, PostGIS, GeoServer, etc)
• Ability to write and maintain Python scripts for spatial processing (e.g. Geoserver, GeoPandas, Shapely, ESRI stack, etc).
• Basic to intermediate experience with C#/.NET to understand and support custom GIS backend components.
• Familiarity with web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to support UI behaviour, map rendering and integrations.
• Hands-on experience with geocoding, coordinate systems, projections and spatial data transformations.
• Ability to work with large geospatial datasets, spatial ETL, indexing, optimisation and map layer generation.
• Experience publishing or consuming REST APIs used in the SmartGIS platform and related services.
• Ability to produce map visualisations, analytical layers and spatial dashboards for business use. Familiarity with web mapping frameworks (Leaflet, ESRI JS, Mapbox) is advantageous.
• Understanding of spatial data governance, data quality, metadata and geospatial standards.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Communicate the results of their analysis and findings by using medium-to-complete data visualisation techniques with both internal and external customers.
• Execute specialist input through investigation and opportunities within the product process including risk concern.
• Design, develop and test medium to complex data analytics solutions like Reports, Maps, Dashboards, Analysis, Extracts, Models, etc.
• Ensure the availability of existing data analytics solutions (like reports, etc.) by maintaining them as well as improving them where shortcomings exist.
• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintain databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• Assist in the filtering and cleaning of imported data by reviewing computer reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct code problems.
• Identify, analyze and interpret trends and patterns in medium to complex data sets, based on data findings
• Perform intermediate business analysis using various techniques, e.g. statistical analysis, explanatory and predictive modelling, data mining.
• Research best practices and supports developing the solutions and recommendations for the current business operations.
• Accumulate information to review work progress that provides input to reporting, decision making and the identification of improvement opportunities.
• 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.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects to solve emerging problems.
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements because of the change.
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process, product and risk optimisation.

Governance

• Ensure that completed work adhere to relevant policies, procedures, governance and legislative requirements and report on deviations and discrepancies.
• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity and ethics processes within area of specialisation.

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.
• Search for, integrate and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.

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

Behavioural Competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Building Sustainability 
• 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

• Information management 
• Computer Literacy 
• Functional Policies and Procedures 
• Statistical and Mathematical Analysis Proficiency
• Business Knowledge 
• Technical Expertise
• Database Design and Management
• Data Management
• Data Collection and Analysis  
• Data Analytics
• Reporting