Specialist Data Analytics

Job Title: Specialist Data Analytics (X2) - Contract end date 31 March 2028

Position Reports to:   Senior Specialist Data Analytics

Division: Taxpayer Engagement and Operations: Data Analytics and Insights

Location: Head Office: Landbank Building

Advert Closing Date:  16 January 2026

About the Position

SARS is seeking a highly skilled, experienced, and results-driven professional with sound judgement and strong business acumen to contribute to the organisation's higher purpose and commitment to service excellence. The ideal candidate will possess a creative mindset, the ability to apply innovative strategies, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, leveraging data-driven insights to develop tailored solutions.

The successful candidate must have extensive experience working with large datasets, advanced analytics, and predictive modelling to drive strategic decision-making and enhance organisational performance. A deep passion for cutting-edge technologies, methodologies, and best practices in data analytics, data engineering, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is essential. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate expertise in integrating these capabilities to generate actionable business intelligence that aligns seamlessly with SARS's mandate.

Job Purpose

You will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies for creating data-driven solutions by understanding business requirements. You will build in-house models by ensuring the availability of high-quality data and actively engaging with stakeholders through discussions and meetings to drive successful delivery.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) AND 8-10 years' experience in Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Data Science, Statistics/Mathematical Science/Economic Sciences, or Research, of which 3-4 years at a junior specialist level.

Alternative #

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 15 years' experience in Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Data Science, Statistics/Mathematical Science/Economic Sciences, or Research, of which 3-4 years at a junior specialist level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Experience in Data Engineering / Business Data Intelligence / Data Science
• 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 (SQL, etc.), and programming (SQL, 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/or Python, R, etc. 

Microsoft skills (advanced in)—i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures and associated areas' practice.
• 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 their impact and use them to develop the best-fit alternatives and 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 your own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake information gathering and research and analyse data within broad guidelines to produce accurate plans and/orrecommendations for business issues.
• Undertake information gathering, research and analysis of data within broad guidelines to produce accurate plans & or recommendations for business issues.
• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintain 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, and data mining.
• Design, develop and test complex/advanced data analytics solutions like Reports, Dashboards, Analysis, Extracts, Models, etc.
• Identify, analyse and interpret trends and patterns in complex/advanced data sets, based on data findings.

Governance

• Develop and/oralign governance and compliance policies for your own practice area 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 the area of expertise.

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in the 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

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

Technical Competencies

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

Compliance Competency

• GOC    Confidential

Employment Equity

The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, a case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and/or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.