Junior Index Research Analyst

Jse Limited; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 250 000 - 350 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider based in Gauteng is seeking a research analyst to produce high-quality research papers and manage stakeholder relationships. The role involves conducting market data analysis, ensuring the accuracy of financial indices, and collaborating with various teams to improve service delivery. Candidates should have a degree in Economics, Finance, or Statistics, with no prior experience required. This position aims to enhance data processes and deliver insights to clients effectively.

Qualifications

• No previous experience necessary.
• Ability to adapt to major organisational changes.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct quality economic research and produce insightful reports.
• Assist in optimizing index processes through automation.
• Ensure accurate valuations of indices and manage end-of-day processes.

Skills

Intermediate software applications

Data analysis

Client-focused service delivery

Education

Degree in Economics, Finance, or Statistics

Job description

Duties & Responsibilities

Results Delivery. Apply cost‑effectiveness principles in everyday delivery to contribute to achievement of departmental financial targets.

Create insightful research papers of high quality by researching elements of index methodology or new indices over a 3–6 month period with pre‑defined delivery dates. Ensure the high standard of research output continuously meets independent Advisory Committee standards and identified market needs.

Research the collection, interpretation and analysis of input data, conduct market consultation where necessary, formulate recommendations or conclusions, prepare cohesive research papers, present results internally and to the advisory committee, and follow up on suggestions and hypotheses suggested by committee members.

Assist in the optimization of index processes by identifying areas in which daily processes can be automated, updated or improved.

Produce quality output with minimal supervision to meet high standards expected by the team and ensure deadlines are met timeously.

Identify where escalation is required to accommodate client demands and, where possible, strive to achieve the level of output expected by senior members.

Improve the quality of the data products for clients by enhancing existing products and developing new and innovative index products. Produce cost‑effective and sustainable product enhancements to increase client service, develop and maintain them, and plan product development windows for at least a year in advance.

Have an independent opinion on client and broader market needs, opportunities and possibilities and act on this opinion by suggesting alternative approaches to those requested by clients, with the view to building longer‑term strategic views that contribute to the sustained relevance of the index service from the JSE.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Assist senior members of the team (when required) with client visits or phone calls to communicate index‑related concepts, interpret and resolve index queries, and educate customers on index rules with their application.

Work with other team members in a cohesive manner by contributing to assigned responsibilities and projects in a joint activity.

Maintain a positive relationship with clients by managing conflict situations diplomatically, driving excellence by maintaining high standards to achieve client satisfaction, always being on time and producing accurate outputs.

Maintain clear communication with clients regarding mutual expectations, monitor client satisfaction, be accountable for correcting customer‑service issues promptly and assertively, and ensure client queries are resolved timeously, accurately and comprehensively to maintain good relationships.

Be responsible for having a complete view of the JSE structure so that all queries are escalated to the correct person or department if necessary, and ensure that all information provided to clients is accurate and does not breach JSE policies.

Discuss upcoming topical index news with the team to ascertain the level of knowledge they have by their responses.

Maintain good vendor relationships by engaging with third‑party data suppliers and partners (such as FTSE and other internal divisions) in a proficient manner, providing them with data and other requests where necessary.

Find practical solutions to meet customer needs; where client requests are complex, gather information, clarify the data from multiple sources internally, and provide a solution.

Provide meaningful input to team discussions relating to potential improvements to client services and products, and where possible, provide suggestions and consult with other members of the team to develop optimal client products.

Process Management

Ensure the FTSE/JSE End‑of‑Day process is completed accurately by following standard procedures and ensuring all relevant End‑of‑Day files from FTSE are received, verifying the structure and completeness of all received files, and 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 the input data, calculating the index metrics, and testing the reasonability of the result.

Prepare a comprehensive resolution plan for when an operational process fails by having a good understanding of all JSE operational processes and requesting assistance from other team members and senior members for when corrective action needs to be implemented, following their guidance while ensuring that timelines are adhered to according to timeframes stipulated in the SLA.

Ensure accuracy of index inputs and published index metrics and be able to calculate them independently.

Ensure consistency with JSE information in the public domain, so that there is no room for clients to think they can obtain more information from one member over another.

Analyse data discrepancies by understanding the data input along with the relevant interactions and formulas, and take the necessary steps to resolve the issues after identifying them.

Self‑Management

Improve personal capability and professional growth in line with JSE objectives by discussing development needs and proposed solutions with management.

Be an effective team member encouraging teamwork and freely sharing knowledge.

Visibly live the JSE values contributing to the achievement of divisional objectives.

Manage self in terms of development, delivery and act as a self‑starter.

Transformation and Innovation Contribution

Identify, share and implement value‑adding improvement/innovative ideas and solutions contributing to divisional and JSE results.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Degree in Economics, Finance or Statistics.

No previous experience necessary.

Knowledge and Skills

• 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 people's 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, planning a project with constraints, Conducting a needs analysis, Developing multiple creative solutions, Providing professional advice/opinion, Research.

Additional Competencies

• Self‑management and personal development.
• Teamwork and knowledge sharing.
• Strategic thinking and innovation.
• Client‑focused service delivery.
• Process optimisation and automation.
• Data analysis and insight generation.
• Stakeholder relationship management.
• Operational resilience and risk management.