Senior Specialist: Data Management & Analysis at South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

• SAQA seeks to appoint a Senior Specialist: Data Management & Analysis to implement the data strategy and business processes required to create, maintain, and enhance data.
• Reporting to the Senior Manager: Data Management & Analysis, this position will be responsible for the daily management of critical data assets, providing overall guidance and governance oversight for an allocated dataset, and actively managing the data.

Requirements are:
Minimum Qualifications

• An appropriate, recognised qualification at NQF Level 7 or equivalent.
• A relevant NQF level 8 qualification will be an advantage.

Minimum Experience

• Eight years of relevant work experience, including two years of working with large relational databases.
• Experience and exposure in the post-school education system will be an advantage.

Knowledge, skills and competencies

• Good knowledge of the legislative and regulatory environment governing the education sector.
• Advanced data and information management principles.
• Good understanding of data management practices and compliance standards.
• High-level data analysis and interpretation.
• Complex report preparation for executive and board-level audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL, R, Python, Power BI, Excel and similar tools.
• Project leadership and management of technical initiatives.
• Attention to detail and quality assurance.
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement at all levels.
• Training and capacity building for internal teams and external stakeholders.
• People Management: Coaching and mentoring of team members.

Key performance areas:

• Manage critical data assets, ensuring governance, accuracy and compliance with data standards.
• Provide oversight for datasets, ensuring high-quality data management.
• Develop, refine and enhance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to data management and analysis.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on data quality, validation and compliance-related issues.
• Lead, plan and ensure the successful completion of complex technical projects and initiatives.
• Prepare and present technical reports for SAQA’s governance structures, including executive and board-level committees.
• Conduct, oversee or guide high-level, data-driven research to generate insights and recommendations that inform SAQA’s operational strategy and decision-making.
• Represent SAQA in high-level forums, contributing to discussions on data management and analytics.
• Facilitate training for external data suppliers on the use of SAQA’s load specifications and data validation tools.
• Design and deliver training programs to strengthen SAQA staff proficiency in data literacy and analytical skills.
• Coach, mentor and train team members to build analytical capacity and expertise.

Deadline:13th November,2025