Specialist: Data Analytics at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To analyse and provide expert advice on the revenue analysis function in order to achieve business objectives.

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Data Science or Statistics with 8 - 10 years’ experience in a data analysis environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level.

Alternative #

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 15 years' experience in Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Data Science or Statistics environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Intermediate (practical application) Data warehouse knowledge.
• Intermediate (practical application) Programming Skills – i.e. SQL, and/or Python, R, etc.
• Be proficient in the application of:
• Basic Data Migration such as SSIS
• Basic Data Visualization in Microsoft Power BI & Microsoft Fabric       
• Business Intelligence Methodologies
• Database Knowledge
• Microsoft skills (Proficient in)– i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• Constantly monitor the integrity and quality of business data and processes to identify deficiencies and facilitate process improvements.
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation for resource plans.
• Develop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure effective tactical implementation.
• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined risks and problems in practices.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to eliminate discrepancies and inconsistencies for better decision-making purposes.
• Ensure the availability of existing data analytics solutions (like reports, dashboards, spreadsheets, data marts, info cubes etc.) by maintaining them as well as implementing optimisation strategies where shortcomings exist.
• Enhance goal attainment by implementing tactical strategies and refining practices, processes, and systems throughout the internal value chain.
• Plan for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enable tactical implementation and operational 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.
• To design, develop and test complex / advance data analytics solutions like Reports, Dashboards, Analysis, Extracts, Models, etc.
• Research and support workable recommendations/solutions that meet business needs through information analysis.
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• To perform complex / advance business analysis using various techniques, e.g. statistical analysis, explanatory and predictive modelling, data mining.
• To assist in the filtering and “cleaning” of imported data by reviewing computer reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct code problems.
• Conducts analysis, summarizes key findings and trends, and produces data sheets, graphics and presentations.
• Analyses data, creates summary reporting, and performs analysis to support the decision making of research, senior management, member companies and internal departments.

Governance

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

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.

Finance

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

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

• Expertise in Context
• Design Thinking
• Lean Thinking
• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Honesty and Integrity
• Fairness and Transparency
• Organisational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect
• Trust

Technical Competencies

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