Index Research Analyst

Jse Limited; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution located in Gauteng is seeking a skilled individual to oversee index valuations and maintain client relationships. The ideal candidate will possess a BCom in relevant fields and 3 years of experience in financial markets. Responsibilities include managing team plans, interacting with clients to resolve complex queries, and ensuring the accuracy of index-related data. An extensive knowledge of market operations and data analysis is vital for this role.

Qualifications

• 3 years in financial markets.
• Challenging the status quo for improvement.
• Experience in presenting complex information.

Responsibilities

• Play a leading role in drawing up team business plans.
• Maintain positive relationships with clients.
• Perform valuations of all JSE-administered indices.

Skills

Data analysis

Intermediate software applications

Business principles

Divisional service offerings

Business continuity standard

Education

BCom in Econometrics, Economy of Mathematics, Finance, Investments

Honours in Mathematics, Investments, Finance, Financial Modelling, Econometrics

Job description

Duties & Responsibilities

Results Delivery

Play a leading role in drawing up a team business plan for complex tasks as well as plans for longer periods (1 year and 3 year)

Identify weaknesses in all existing index processes, including data, operational and analytic processes

Provide specialist guidance to staff who needs to elevate issues of complexity and assist with work of the more junior roles if required

Build an independent opinion on client and broader market needs, problems, opportunities and possibilities for implementation by acting on this opinion (e.g. recommends approaches which are new and different from those requested by the clients) contributing to the sustained relevance of the index service from the JSE Stakeholder Relationship Management

Build strategic JSE / Industry / Global network of thought leaders and relationships, attending and presenting at conferences and training interventions

Effectively communicate and educate clients at all levels (phone calls, emails and client visits on expressing index related concepts; interpreting and resolving index queries) on index rules and their application to understand specific index changes and interpret and explain index source data and its derivation

Maintain a positive relationship with clients by managing conflictive situations diplomatically, but firmly; strive for client satisfaction without compromising standards; maintain clear communication with clients regarding mutual expectations; monitor client satisfaction; take personal responsibility for correcting customer-service problems; correct problems promptly and assertively; make self fully available, especially when client is going through a critical period; answer specific queries from clients by applying analytical techniques to data to produce meaningful views

Ensure good vendor relationships by interacting and collaborating with third party data suppliers and partners (such as FTSE and other internal divisions) in a proficient manner Process Management

Ensure the FTSE / JSE End of Day Process is completed accurately by ensuring that all relevant end of day files from FTSE are received; verifying the structure and completeness of all received files; checking that all pre‑agreed index changes are applied correctly

Perform the valuations of all JSE‑administered indices (e.g. JSE Commodities Indices and JSE Money Market Index) by validating input data, calculating the index metrics and testing the reasonability of the result

Verify end of day data products

Have a professional understanding of all Bond Market operational processes to be able to drive resolutions in the event of process failure

Determine and implement corrective action when any aspect of the Bond Market processes does not function correctly by identifying where and in which step it failed, the cause of the failure and how to remedy it

Ensure that time lines are adhered to by abiding to Bond Market processes SLA times contracted with clients

Ensure the continuous accuracy of index inputs and published index metrics in protection of JSE reputation by conducting calculations independently

Ensure that the data and information overseen by the team meets the measure of reasonableness and is finely checked post production and distribution focusing on timelines and data quality standards to ensure that clients base decisions on accurate information and JSE client service is maintained at a high level

Analyse data discrepancies by understanding the various data inputs and their interactions as well as the necessary formulas and identify and take necessary steps to resolve issues

Drive out process optimisation and enhancement, with the emphasis on providing improved results at a lower cost, reducing the risk of failure or enhancing sustainability

Maintain an in-depth understanding of the Index landscape, including knowledge of index users' business, products and services offered by global index providers and local competitors to provide clients with resolutions and advise

Understand the importance of accurate indices to the capital markets.

Maintain this knowledge through continuous self‑learning and interaction with market participants

Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the JSE index rules by knowing which rules to apply in specific situations and taking decisions on the specific application of these rules.

This requires interpretation of the applicable rules, referencing historic treatment and precedent set in the past, as well as a detailed understanding of the practical impact of index changes on clients and their investment products

Independently perform the free float review for JSE listed companies by analysing the shareholders of each company, measuring that against a set of rules and drawing inferences to determine the free float

Identify upcoming corporate actions and determine the appropriate impact on the indices, within the relevant timeline of that corporate action, by referencing the index rules, previous precedent and making the necessary inferences

Play a meaningful and leading role in the Index Rebalance by collecting and verifying data; calculating various inputs for the review; determining which changes are necessary, based on the data, rules and calculations; preparation and verification of the relevant public output documentation for accuracy; ensure that the rebalance changes are applied correctly

Take responsibility for the end‑to‑end index rebalancing process by ensuring that individual tasks are admitted and correct by supervising and mentoring junior colleagues.

Provide direction and training to junior colleagues by advising on problem resolution and other questions they might have

Create insightful research papers by producing research outputs that meet independent Advisory Committee standards and meet identified market needs by researching elements of index methodology or new indices to contribute to the ongoing development of new indices (research includes collecting input data; interpret and analyse data collected; formulate recommendation or conclusions; prepare research papers)

Identify opportunities to refine existing products and developing of innovative new index products to improve quality and range of data products to clients while being cost effective and sustainable

Contribute to implementation of product developments by creating development plans a year or more in advance

Assist with the division of divisional action plans into smaller, allocable tasks that can be measured and tracked for allocation of sub‑tasks to junior colleagues with set target dates

Demonstrate professional conduct, concern for customers and a sense of urgency in dealing with them and ensure that client queries are resolved timeously, accurately and comprehensively

Take responsibility and have a complete view of the JSE structure to ensure queries are escalated to the correct person or department, if necessary

Assist junior staff in the resolution of queries they are handling by reviewing their responses or answering specific questions they may have

Independently present an overview of index related information to groups of people or clients, by preparing appropriate visual aids, presenting material and responding to questions

Take a leading role in routine client meetings by ensuring that client needs are met

Provide data to the media within the parameters of JSE policies.

Be aware of the framework and scope within which questions from the media can be answered

Assist in the preparation of brochures and marketing material by providing content and quality assurance to ensure clients are kept up to date with new index developments

Provide input and content to website lay‑out and structure to ensure that clients get correct information in the right format Self‑Management

Improve personal capability and professional growth relating to field of expertise, in line with JSE objectives by discussing development needs and proposed solutions with management

Keep abreast of changes in legislation or standards by conducting research and utilising networks

Up skill team and other professionals by sharing knowledge and research results

Epitomise living the JSE values, displaying professional conduct and adherence to required technical standards Transformation and Innovation Contribution Analyse, research, develop and implement improvement / innovative ideas and value adding solutions contributing to divisional and JSE results

Desired Experience & Qualification

• BCom in Econometrics, Economy of Mathematics, Finance, Investments
• Honours in Mathematics, Investments, Finance, Financial Modelling, Econometrics

3 years in financial markets Knowledge and Skills required

• Intermediate software applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Internet, Email)
• Divisional service offerings
• Business continuity standard
• Business principles
• Data analysis

Decision‑making process

• Challenging the status quo with a view to improving the environment or peoples understanding
• Giving presentations

Identifying trends

• Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with peers / subordinates / managers
• Adapting behaviour to meet major changes at work

Adapting to a major organisational change

• Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Evaluating resource allocation
• Networking and building relationships
• Communicating complex information orally
• Completing a project with constraints
• Conducting a needs analysis
• Developing multiple creative solutions
• Providing professional advice / opinion