Academic Data Analyst

The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) is a registered private higher education provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of ADvTECH Ltd, listed on the JSE.

The IIE’s Central Academic Team (CAT) is the custodian of academic quality, educational technology, and governance across the institution. It leads academic strategy, compliance, and operational integrity through robust governance structures.

The current CAT is in the process of being repositioned as a Centre of Excellence, a hub for academic innovation, staff capacity building, quality assurance, and governance across both the schools and tertiary divisions.

**The purpose of the job**:
The Data Analyst plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, compliant, and insightful data reporting for both internal performance monitoring and external regulatory submission. The role supports institutional excellence through data extraction, validation, formatting, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to uphold data integrity and optimise reporting efficiency.

**Reporting to**:
**Main Outputs and Responsibilities for this Position**:
Management and Institutional Performance Reporting
- Extract, validate, and transform academic and operational data for inclusion in dashboards and routine performance reports.
- Support the compilation of bi-annual performance reviews aligned with internal KPIs.
- Format data outputs to align with the reporting structures used by stakeholders and Academic Boards.
- Assist in visualising data using standard tools (e.g. Excel, Power BI, etc.).

Regulatory and Social System Reporting
- Prepare and structure datasets for submission to external bodies (e.g., DHET, CHE, SAQA), ensuring full compliance with reporting requirements.
- Assist in the population of regulatory templates and respond to data verification queries.
- Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to gather and verify data for statutory submissions.
- Maintain a schedule and checklist for submission deadlines and documentation.

Data Quality, Integrity & Governance- Conduct regular checks to validate data accuracy and consistency across systems and reports.-
- Support the implementation of data security protocols aligned with POPIA and institutional data policies.- Participate in audits and internal reviews of data integrity processes.

Data Collection and Instrument Design
- Develop structured data collection tools such as surveys, templates, and tracking forms tailored for academic and operational units.
- Engage with reporting stakeholders to identify data needs and refine collection methods.
- Ensure standardisation of data collection formats to enhance downstream reporting accuracy.
- Test and validate collection instruments for usability and compliance.

**Qualification**
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any of the following: Data Analytics, Information Systems, Statistics, Business Intelligence.
- Honours degree in any of the above fields or a related qualification in Higher Education Data Management or analytics—to be added as an advantage.

**Experience**:

- Minimum of 3 years as a Data Analyst/Reporting Officer
- Minimum of 2 years in Higher Education or Compliance Reporting Support
- Minimum of 1 year as a Business Intelligence Intern or Junior Analyst

**Knowledge of**:
- Microsoft Excel Specialist or Advanced Excel- Power BI Certificate- Introduction to SQL/Database Reporting

**Competencies**:

- Data Validation & Cleaning
- Microsoft Excel & Data Tools
- Report Preparation & Formatting
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
- Understanding of Academic Data
- Accountability
- Collaboration
- Initiative
- Adaptability
- Problem-Solving
- Accuracy & Reliability

**Other Special Requirements**:
- Occasional travel between campuses or the central office may be required.