Data Scientist II: AML & Financial Crime Analytics

Fnbnamibia; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstRand Limited in Johannesburg is seeking a Data Scientist-II to plan, build, and deploy advanced quantitative models for financial crime analytics and opportunity insights. You will develop and govern modelling solutions with minimal guidance, collaborating across risk, business and tech teams.

The role requires 2+ years of hands-on modelling experience, strong SAS/SQL/Python skills, and the ability to translate complex results for non-technical stakeholders in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Honours Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in developing and implementing analytical models, preferably in financial services.
• Strong scripting skills in SAS, SQL, and Python.
• Experience collaborating across multiple teams.
• Experience in financial crime, fraud detection, or AML/CFT is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Deliver on model development, implementation, and governance for financial crime risk analytics (AML/CFT, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening).
• Proactively identify analytical opportunities and solve unstructured problems with minimal guidance.
• Translate technical solutions into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Deliver clear and comprehensive technical documentation for models and processes.
• Collaborate with business, risk, and technology teams across the FirstRand group to drive model effectiveness and compliance.
• Support junior Data Scientists in developing both technical and business skills.
• Apply SAS, SQL, and Python scripting for data manipulation, modelling, and automation.
• Uphold model and rule governance standards and participate in periodic monitoring and reviews.
• Demonstrate initiative and a solution-oriented mindset in high-stakes, regulated environments.

Job description

FirstRand Limited in Johannesburg is seeking a Data Scientist-II to plan, build, and deploy advanced quantitative models for financial crime analytics and opportunity insights. You will develop and govern modelling solutions with minimal guidance, collaborating across risk, business and tech teams.

The role requires 2+ years of hands-on modelling experience, strong SAS/SQL/Python skills, and the ability to translate complex results for non-technical stakeholders in a regulated environment.