Senior Data Scientist - Contract - 6-12 months

Hire Resolve; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Hire Resolve is seeking a Senior Data Scientist for a contract position based in Johannesburg, focusing on turning complex data into actionable insights that drive intelligent automation and cost reduction.

You will apply statistical modelling, machine learning, data analytics and visualization to key business areas, with emphasis on identifying new products and enabling value creation across Finance, Risk and Operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or AI engineering.
• Master's degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related field.
• Strong proficiency with SQL, APIs, and data libraries.

Responsibilities

• Source, cleanse, and prepare structured and unstructured data.
• Design, build, and deploy predictive and prescriptive models for forecasting, anomaly detection, and process optimization.
• Build interactive dashboards and reports to present insights to business stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with data governance and privacy frameworks.

Skills

SQL

Data Science

Statistical Modelling

Machine Learning

Data Analytics

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related field

Professional certification in Machine Learning or AI

Doctoral (PhD) in Data Science or related discipline

Tools

APIs

Data libraries

SQL

Job description

A client operating in InsurTech, insurance, automative and fleet management is looking for a Senior Data Scientist to join their team on a contract basis based in Johannesburg, GP.

The Data Scientist is responsible for transforming complex datasets into actionable insights that drive intelligent automation, operational efficiency, cost reduction, and predictive decision-making across the organization. This role supports both optimization and innovation-driven transformation by applying statistical modelling, machine learning, data analytics, and data visualization to key business areas, with a focus on identifying new products and enhancing business value.

Responsibilities

Accountabilities (Business Outcomes)

Finance

• Data Engineering & Preparation
  • Source, cleanse, and prepare both structured and unstructured data.
  • Develop reusable data models and maintain version-controlled datasets for ongoing analysis.
• Analytics & Machine Learning
  • Design, build, and deploy predictive and prescriptive models for forecasting, anomaly detection, and process optimization.
  • Conduct profiling of stakeholders and transactional volatility.
  • Apply statistical techniques, cluster analysis, and AI algorithms (classification, regression, clustering, NLP, etc.).
  • Conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify trends, risks, and performance insights.
  • Support AI solution engineers by providing training datasets and defining model evaluation metrics.
• Visualization & Reporting
  • Build interactive dashboards and reports using visualization tools to present insights to business stakeholders.
  • Translate complex data findings into actionable business recommendations.

Innovation Enablement

• Participate in the Innovation Track, supporting proof-of-concept projects that leverage AI and analytics.
• Conduct extensive literature reviews to determine the most effective multi-modal classification algorithms.
• Document methodologies and contribute to an internal data science playbook for repeatable value creation.

Risk and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with data governance and privacy frameworks.
• Build models for predicting risk to enable proactive mitigation.
• Provide insights into predicting future sales and reducing claims costs.

Customer

• Collaborate with software developers and data engineers to establish reliable data pipelines, ensuring data integrity, lineage, and governance.
• Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders by providing data-driven solutions to their challenges.
• Participate in cross-functional projects to implement end-to-end solutions.

People

• Organize training sessions and workshops to share knowledge and best practices with the broader organization.
• Create a culture of ownership and accountability in support of the company's values.

Requirements

• Education:
  • Master's degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or a closely related field (equivalent to NQF Level 9).
• Preferred:
  • Professional certification in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or Information Management.
  • Doctoral (PhD) degree in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or a related discipline (equivalent to NQF Level 10).
• Essential:
  • Minimum of 7+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or AI engineering.
  • Proven track record of developing, validating, and deploying predictive models into production environments.
  • Strong proficiency with SQL, APIs, and data libraries.
  • Excellent analytical and logical problem-solving ability.
  • Strong business acumen with the ability to clearly communicate complex insights to non-technical stakeholders.
  • A curiosity-driven and innovation-focused mindset.
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams of developers and engineers.
• Preferred:
  • Exposure to Responsible AI frameworks and data governance standards.
  • Awareness of data privacy, fairness, and responsible AI principles.
  • A passion for continuous learning and the application of emerging technologies.