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, Business Intelligence, Information Systems, Computer Science, Statistics, Informatics with 8 - 10 years’ experience in a Data Analysis / Business Data Intelligence environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level.

Alternative #

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 15 years' experience in Data Analysis / Business Data Intelligence environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Experience in Data Analysis / Business Data Intelligence
• Advanced (applied theory) technical expertise regarding data processes, data cleaning, analysis, reporting, data models, and database design and testing
• Knowledge of and experience with reporting packages (SQL or equivalent, etc), databases.
• Advanced (applied theory) knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analysing datasets (Excel, etc.)
• Microsoft skills (Advance in)¡ i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices.
• Conduct assessments and use information to advise, make recommendations and facilitate improvement.
• Constantly monitor the integrity and quality of data and processes to identify deficiencies and facilitate improvement.
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans.
• Develop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure tactical implementation.
• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes.
• Note potential problems and obstacles, accumulate supporting data and initiate actions to prevent or overcome predicted problems as may be identified.
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain.
• Plan for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and 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.
• Research and support workable recommendations/solutions that meet business needs through information analysis.
• Review the effectiveness of related approaches and methodologies by conducting research, and best practice benchmarking initiatives.
• Translate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake information gathering, research and analyse data within broad guidelines to produce accurate plans and / or recommendations for business issues.
• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• Perform complex / advanced business analysis using various techniques, e.g. statistical analysis, explanatory and predictive modelling, data mining.
• Design, develop and test complex / advance data analytics solutions like Reports, Dashboards, Analysis, Extracts, Models, etc.
• Identify, analyse and interpret trends and patterns in complex / advance data sets, based on data findings.
• Ensure the availability of existing data analytics solutions (like reports, etc.) by maintaining them as well as improving them where shortcomings exist.
• Analyses data, creates summary reporting, and performs analysis to support the decision making of research, senior management, member companies and internal departments.
• Assist in the filtering and 'cleaning' of imported data by reviewing computer reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct code problems.
• Acquiring data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• Builds and manage/maintain database to house data collected from various sources.
• Conducts analysis, summarizes key findings and trends, and produces data sheets, graphics and presentations.
• Communicate the results of their analysis and findings by using basic complex / advance visualisation techniques with both internal and external customers.
• Gathers data from multiple sources and assimilates into meaningful inputs for databases.

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

• Adaptability
• Expertise in Context
• Design Thinking
• Lean Thinking
• Accountability
• 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

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

Deadline:3rd August,2026