Careers at Discovery Limited

Key Purpose

• Your primary purpose will be to support and contribute to the delivery of data science, machine learning, and AI use cases that improve member engagement, operational efficiency, and product outcomes. You will take ownership of defined analytical and modelling tasks and deliver well‑scoped use cases or components of larger projects with increasing autonomy. You will work closely with senior data scientists on more complex initiatives, while remaining accountable for the quality and timeliness of your own delivery.

You will be part of a team that:

• Builds personalised and predictive models that encourage healthy behaviours and communication while improving member outcomes
• Uses experimentation, A/B testing, and analytics to inform decision-making
• Applies machine learning and emerging AI techniques, including Large Language Models, optimisation models and agents, to real business problems
• Operates in a test learn adapt culture where learning and iteration are core to delivery

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to
Data Analysis and Modelling

• Support senior data scientists in exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, and model development
• Build, evaluate, and refine statistical and machine learning models under guidance
• Develop and maintain components of data science pipelines, including data preparation, model training, and performance monitoring
• Contribute to experimentation frameworks such as A/B tests and uplift modelling
• Ensure analytical work is reproducible, well-documented, and aligned with production standards

Delivery Ownership

• Take ownership of clearly defined tasks or sub projects within larger initiatives
• Independently deliver smaller, well‑scoped analyses or modelling use cases with supervision
• Manage own deliverables against agreed timelines, escalating risks or blockers early
• Support model validation, testing, and post‑deployment analysis

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with senior data scientists to translate business questions into analytical problems
• Collaborate with engineering and systems teams to support model deployment into production environments
• Engage with product and business stakeholders to understand objectives, constraints, and success measures
• Present findings, insights, and model outputs in a clear and structured way for technical and non technical audiences

Personal Attributes and Skills 

• A creative and enthusiastic attitude to unearthing valuable insights by solving real-world problems using data and generating value for Discovery clients 
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and to step back and see how analytics work fits into the wider business context 
• Ability to formulate a clear problem statement, develop a plan for tackling it, and clearly communicate findings verbally, visually, and in writing
• Results driven, curious and able to work autonomously or within teams
• Strong communication skills for both technical peers and business partners
• Comfortable working with guidance, while proactively taking responsibility for deliverables
• Aligned to Discovery values and core purpose 

 Technical Skills
Required

• Proficiency in Python for data analysis and applied machine learning
• Experience working with SQL and relational databases
• Solid understanding of data analysis, statistics and core machine learning concepts
• Ability to work with structured and semi‑structured data

Advantageous

• Exposure to cloud platforms (GCP preferred; AWS or Azure acceptable)
• Experience using Git or other version control systems

Education and Experience

• Bachelor or Honours in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Operations Research, Industrial engineering, Applied Mathematics, or similar quantitative field.
• Master’s or PhD degree in the above fields would be advantageous.
• Other qualifications will also be considered if accompanied by relevant experience.
• Demonstrable and relevant working experience in an analytics position, where the focus was on building and implementing machine learning models to solve business problems

go to method of application »

Key Purpose

• Design and implement robust, scalable and optimally performing systems using Java related technologies, according to provided specifications, standards and procedures, while ensuring compliance with the architectural standards and guidelines laid out by Discovery.

Areas of responsibility but not limited to:

Design:

• Translate business requirements into technical designs adhering to Discovery Insure processes, standards and guidelines, taking cognisance of performance, security and scalability requirements. Deliver within agreed timeframes.
• Liaise with relevant parties where clarification of business requirements or resolution to technical issues is needed
• Research and find effective solutions to technical issues that arise
• Estimate development timelines based on business requirements

Development:

• Construct robust, maintainable, scalable, optimally performing system code in line with technical specifications, following prescribed process, standards and procedures. Deliver within agreed timeframes
• Conduct unit testing and fix any defects found

Testing:

• Verify build stability and quality with development team before releasing to test team, aiming to release with zero defects
• Assist the Business analyst in ensuring the test pack includes relevant scenarios and test data.
• Consult and assist in reviewing risk / impact of defects found in testing, and assist with fixing where necessary

Support / Troubleshooting:

• Assist system users with technical support issues and handle according to defined procedures
• Ability to effectively analyse root cause of system errors (data errors, performance and stability issues)

Mentoring / Team development:

• Actively coach other developers to understand and apply the Insure coding and architectural standards correctly, as well as any technologies in use
• Perform code review to ensure logical correctness, maintainability, scalability, performance, compliance with architectural standards and frameworks

Personal development:

• Keep abreast of current technological trends and how these might be applied in the Discovery environment
• Constant improvement of knowledge of the various applications, their functionalities and data models

General:

• Ability to communicate clearly, constructively and effectively. Easily able to follow and participate in technical, business process, and other discussions
• Able to build business relationships with other members of team and the business areas we support.

Technical Skills

• Excellent understanding of Object Orientated principals and Java language fundamentals
• Knowledge of commonly used design patterns
• Broad understanding of how to put together an EE-based business solution from scratch
• EJB
• HTML
• JSF
• JQuery
• JAXB
• SOAP Web services
• Message Driven Beans
• UML
• XML/XSD
• SQL

Education and Experience

Education:

• Matric
• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Computer Science /Information Systems
• Formal Java qualification

Minimum Experience:              

• 3+ years’ experience in Java development with exposure to core competencies listed

Advantageous Experience

• REST Web services
• JSON
• Business Process Management Tools
• Apache Camel
• Apache Webserver Configuration
• JBOSS Configuration
• CSS
• GIT
• Integrated Build Tools
• HTML 5
• Knowledge of Short Term Insurance industry

Working knowledge of:

• Software development within SDLC
• Unit Testing
• Data modelling and design of database structures
   

go to method of application »

Key Purpose of the role

• This Learnership leads to a nationally recognised FETC: Long Term Insurance NQF Level 4 qualification; which consists of structured learning components combined with practical/workplace experience in the Financial Services industry.

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to

• Call Centre: Medical Aid client servicing, claims, new business and health benefits administration

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Innovative/ critical thinking/ and problem solving skills
• Good attention to detail and levels of accuracy
• Sets high standards for quality and quantity and works in a systematic, methodical and orderly manner.
• Time management and planning skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high pressure environment
• Ability to work independently and in a team orientated environment
• Service driven, a sense of urgency and a team player.
• Adapts to changing circumstances and handles criticism well and learns from it.

Education and Experience

Grade 12 is essential.

• Maths (Minimum Level 4 – 50%)
• English (Minimum Level 4 – 50%)
• Maths Literacy (Minimum Level 5 - 60% )
• 2nd language (Minimum Level 4 – 50%)
• May have an incomplete tertiary qualification (advantage)

Specific Requirements:

• Not be engaged in post Matric studies or formal employment;
• Not have completed any previous Learnership.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 25 years;
• Have effective communication skills in the written & verbal English language;
• Possess basic computer skills mainly MS Excel & MS Outlook