Data Analyst II (Data Analytics) (IBR) 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 Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative/technical field AND 5-7 years' experience in a similar or related data analytics, master data, data matching or entity-resolution environment,  of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level.

Alternative #

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 10 years related experience in a similar or data software development, data analytics or master data operations environment, of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Experience in Software Development/ Data Engineering / Business Data Intelligence.
• Strong coding ability in SQL and Python for data processing, automation, quality, matching logic and analysis.
• Ability to understand and work with C#/.NET components used in various data integration ecosystem and supporting services. Working knowledge with web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to interpret UI behaviour and troubleshoot data flow. Experience with REST API integrations, including debugging and validating API-driven data submissions. Practical experience working with large datasets, relational structures, and optimised data pipelines.
• Exposure to or understanding of fuzzy matching, phonetic algorithms, scoring logic and entity-resolution techniques. Experience with ETL/ELT processes involving multiple internal and external data sources.
• Ability to manage and analyse structured & semi-structured data (CSV, JSON, XML).
• Ability to identify anomalies, duplicates, linkages and inconsistencies across national datasets.
• Understanding of data governance and master data management principles across the information lifecycle.

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, 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, matching 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. (I)
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects in order to solve emerging problems.
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result 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