Internal Audit Analytics Specialist at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

The core responsibilities of the Data Analytics Specialist are to:

•     Execute scoped work (as data scientist and/or data analyst)
•     Drive advancement and development in the analytics space through defined strategic initiatives
•     Act and deliver in accordance with Internal Audit plans, methodologies, policies and procedures
•     Able to adapt to change with an agile working environment

Job Description

Key Accountabilities 

Accountability:  Delivery

• Arrange access to data warehouses and regularly required data sources.
• Arranging the secure receipt of data files from business via multiple channels.
• Creation of a data dictionary including definitions and availability (where appropriate).
• Build and maintain common data sets regularly required by audit delivery teams.
• Assist with data cleaning and preparation for audit delivery teams.
• Build and maintain a library of re-usable automated auditing programmes and functional specifications.
• Develop sustainable and re-useable Data Analytics models, programs and dashboards to improve the efficiency of ABSA Group Internal Audit and to improve audit coverage.
• Development of data analytics models and programmes.
• Support audit delivery teams with the development of complex/insightful data analytics tests.
• Adhering to data transfer and security requirements.

Accountability:  Engagement and Strategy Management 

• Executing on delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Support audit delivery teams with the identification and delivery of analytics solutions.
• Provide training to audit staff on how to develop and execute basic analytics programs.

Accountability:  Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships with data warehouse stakeholders and data providers.
• Share knowledge with Internal Audit colleagues and peers in the business. Be open to learn from others through feedback given to you.
• Treat all colleagues fairly, regardless of background or circumstance.
• Be comfortable to challenge others; be prepared to be challenged.
• Update the Data Analytics Champions and Data Analytics Leads with progress of development.
• Build relationships with key clients including data warehouse stakeholders and business MI teams.
• Build strong relationships and mutual trust with all internal stakeholders (i.e. audit teams).
• Understand the needs of client/customer and make decisions using this knowledge.

Accountability:  Knowledge Management

• Own and drive personal learning to support achievement of career aspirations.
• Improve technical knowledge through self-learning or training including mandatory CPE requirements.
• Knowledge sharing with Internal Audit colleagues and peers in the business.
• Develop/implement data analytics driven business-monitoring programmes to support the Internal Audit teams.
• Research & Development of data analytics tools and trends to bolster the team's knowledge
• Where applicable, attend conferences and training to grow the awareness and knowledge base around Analytics and/or Internal Audit.

Accountability:  Decision-making and Problem Solving

• Develop analytics for all areas of the audit process (risk assessment, controls testing and outcomes testing), as well as using analytics as a tool to support processes and procedures throughout the process.
• Update the Data Analytics Director and audit team with progress and observations
• Proactively take on additional tasks as requested by Vice Presidents / Directors / Managing Directors.
• Suggest practical ways of improving audit work through the use of analytics.

Role / Person Specification

Education and Experience Required

• B Degree (Commercial, Informatics, Statistics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics)
• Higher Diploma/Certification in Data Analysis or Software Development
• Programming / software development experience
• Knowledge of data Visualisation/Dashboards tools
• (To name a few: Qlik, Tableau, PowerBI, R, Python)
• 5 years technical experience
• Relevant professional qualifications or certifications
• (To name a few: Statistics, Data Analysis, Data Mining, SAS Certification, DBMS, SQL, PERL, TERADATA, Data warehouse, R, Python, Machine Learning) (strongly preferred)
• Banking Experience
• Experience with advanced analytics
• (To name a few: applied machine learning, prescriptive analytics, using neural networks and decision trees, development and/or execution of software robots) (strongly preferred)
• Knowledge about new and emerging data analytics technologies (preferred)
• Practical financial services industry knowledge
• Experience in risk based auditing or risk/control activities (preferred)

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Extensive experience in data analytics (at least 5 years).
• Practical experience of development and execution of analytics programs to assess risk and related control environments as part of an internal or external audit role/function, or as part of a risk management function.
• Good database knowledge and understanding.
• Developing of Visualisation Dashboards.
• Programming / software development experience.
• Practical understanding of relevant regulatory environment.
• Proven track record of high performance in previous roles.
• Track record in influencing senior stakeholders.
• Leading teams responsible for delivering analytics/self-serve tools etc.
• Practical experience with - Data Analysis/Mining, SAS, R, Python, SQL, Server/Oracle/TERADATA/Other RDBMS.
• Strong practical knowledge of data mining, data analysis and visualization techniques.

Competencies:  

• Deciding and initiating action
• Learning and researching
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Relating and networking
• Adapting and responding to change
• Persuading and influencing
• Creating and innovating
• Time management and ability to deliver on deadlines
• Proactive and energetic
• Forward thinking

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)