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

Job Purpose

• To analyse and provide expert advice with regards to data analytics in order to achieve business objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Data science Informatics/Computer Science Data Engineering and 8-10 years data analytics experience in a tax or financial environment.  

ALTERNATIVE 

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) and 15 years data analytics experience in a tax or financial environment.

 Job Outputs:

Process

• Accumulate information to review work progress that provides input to reporting, decision-making and the identification of improvement opportunities.
• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects in order to solve emerging problems.
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements because of the change.
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives.
• Execute specialist input through investigation &opportunities within the product process including risk concern.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process product and risk optimisation.
• Note potential problems and obstacles, accumulate supporting data and initiate actions to prevent or overcome predicted problems as may be identified.
• Undertake information gathering, research and analyse data within broad guidelines to produce accurate plans & or recommendations for business issues.
• Research and support workable recommendations/solutions that meet business needs through information analysis.
• Constantly monitor the integrity and quality of data and processes to identify deficiencies and facilitate improvement.
• Review the effectiveness of related approaches and methodologies by conducting research, and best practice benchmarking initiatives.
• Conduct assessments and use the information to advise, make recommendations and facilitate improvement.
• To acquiring data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• To perform complex/advance business analysis using various techniques, e.g. statistical analysis, explanatory and predictive modeling, and data mining.
• To design, develop and test complex/advance data analytics solutions like Reports, Dashboards, Analysis, Extracts, Models, etc.
• To identify, analyses and interpret trends and patterns in complex / advance data sets, based on data findings.
• Communicate the results of their analysis and findings by using basic complex / advance visualisation techniques with both internal and external customers.
• To ensure the availability of existing data analytics solutions (like reports, etc.) by maintaining them as well as improving them where shortcomings exist.
• 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.
• Works with research analysts to plan, create, and distribute surveys
• Researches best practices; develops implementation plan of operational and cost improvement strategies; assists in seeking, evaluating and implementing new technology
• Provides research assistance for strategic planning and business development efforts
• Gathers data from multiple sources and assimilates into meaningful inputs for databases.
• Analyses data, creates summary reporting and performs analysis to support the making decision-making of research, senior management, member companies, and internal departments.
• Builds and manages/maintains a database to house data collected from various sources.

Governance

• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity, and ethics processes within the area of specialization.

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.
• Search for, integrate, and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.
• Provide authoritative, specialist services, expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients and internal and external stakeholders that promote cross-functional process delivery solutions.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical Thinking  
• Attention to Detail 
• Adaptability
• Building Sustainability 
• Commitment to Continuous Learning 
• Conceptual Ability 
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness 
• Problem Solving and Analysis 
• Respect
• Trust

Technical competencies

• Business Knowledge 
• Computer Literacy 
• Functional Policies and Procedures 
• Statistical and Mathematical Analysis
• Data Management 
• Data Collection and Analysis  
• Capacity Management
• Data Analytics
• Data Governance
• Reporting
• 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 tools SQL and Power BI / Tableau or equivalent, databases SQL Server and programming R, Python, etc.
• • Advanced applied theory knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analysing datasets Excel, SPSS, SAS, R, etc.
• Advanced applied theory Data warehouse knowledge.
• Be advanced in the application of:
•  Basic Data Migration
• Basic Data Visualization
• Business Intelligence Methodologies
• Database Knowledge
• Advanced applied theory Programming Skills – i.e. SQL, and Python/R, etc.
• Microsoft skills Advanced in– i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.
• Knowledge of tax, case selection and auditing and /or Accounting will be an added advantage

Compliance Competency

• GOC Confidential