Specialist: Economics

Position Reports to:   Head: Rev Analysis & Macro Forecasting      

Division: Compliance Revenue Programme: Revenue Analysis and Macroeconomics

Location: Head Office: Linton House

Advert Closing Date:  23 January 2026

Wanted

SARS is looking for a highly skilled, experienced, results driven, self-directed leader with sound judgement and strong business acumen who will contribute towards our higher purpose and service orientation. S/he will provide expert advice on economics strategies in order to meet national and regional business objectives. S/he will conduct macroeconomic analysis and interpreting the economic environment and evaluating local and international risk trends that have impact on SARS' revenue collection activities. The candidate is expected to conduct activities related to revenue forecasting and modelling. The Specialist Economics role reports to an Executive: Forecast & Revenue within the Service and Delivery –Compliance & Revenue Programme.

Job Purpose

The primary mandate of the Macro-Economic Research Unit is to model, analyse and develop research tools that measure the impact of economic fundamentals and the compliance landscape on overall revenue collections. The unit provides thought leadership to inform strategy and influence policy. The unit leverages SARS tax and trade data ecosystem to ensure optimal execution of SARS strategy and to maximise revenue collection through comprehensive revenue analysis and forecasting. Key to meeting fiscal revenue estimates and forecasting objectives, is the development and maintenance of macro-economic and revenue forecasting tools. models and capabilities. As such it is imperative that the unit is capacitated by world-class Specialist Economists (and Econometricians), with exposure to international, continental, provincial and local environments, with a scope that spans micro-economics, macro-economics as well as international economics (trade) The purpose of this job is to advice on economics strategies in order to meet business objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Bachelor's degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Economics, Econometrics, Business Science, Finance, or related field AND 8-10 years' experience in a macroeconomic research environment of which 3-4 years at junior specialist level. Professionally qualified, experienced specialists and/or mid-management with experience and knowledge in a field that is relevant in the field of Macro Economic Research.

#ALTERNATIVE

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 15 years' experience in a macroeconomic research environment of which 3-4 years junior specialist level. Professionally qualified, experienced specialists and/or mid-management with experience and knowledge in a field that is relevant in the field of Macro Economic Research.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Identify, analyse, monitor key macro-economic, micro-economic and SARS operations factors, and evaluate their impact on SARS' revenue and compliance outcomes.
• Provide expert advice, analytical and technical support in economic and revenue management, analysis, modelling and forecasting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures and associated area's practice.
• 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 & experience to identify & recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse & produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies & inconsistencies for decision-making purposes.
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes & systems across an internal value chain.
• Plan for value-added, continuous practice & 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.
• Translate top down policy in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice area and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation.
• Conduct assessments and use information to advise, make recommendations and facilitate improvement

Governance

• Develop and/or align governance and compliance policies for 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 area of expertise.

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of specialisation.
• Contribute to the development of divisional budgets to minimise expenditure aligned with divisional plans

Client

• Develop & ensure implementation of a practice that builds service delivery excellence & encourage 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

• Accountability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Building Sustainability
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Fairness
• Integrity
• Organisational awareness
• Conceptual Ability
• Problem solving and Analysis
• Respect

Technical competencies

• Business Knowledge
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Economic Methods and Theories
• Economic Research
• Efficiency improvement
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Reporting
• Risk Awareness
• Risk Knowledge

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, 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.