Senior Specialist: Data Analytics

Sars; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

SARS in Pretoria seeks a Senior Specialist: Data Analytics to lead the design, development, and optimisation of enterprise data, analytics, and reporting capabilities, enabling trusted data ecosystems and actionable insights for strategic decision-making.

You will import, cleanse, transform and analyse data from multiple sources, develop implementation plans for data analytics strategies, and mentor teams while upholding data governance and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF8) in Data Analytics / Data management/ Data Engineering/ Computing AND 10 – 12 years' experience in a Data Analytics / Analysis/ Engineering environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a specialist level.
• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Data Analytics / Data management / Data Engineering/ Computing AND 12 - 15 years Data Analytics / Analysis / Data Engineering/ experience, of which 3 - 4 years at a specialist level.
• Experience in developing complex data analytics solutions and governance practices.

Responsibilities

• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases.
• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to systems, policies and practices.
• Develop and implement data analytics plans and visualisations for decision making.

Skills

Data analytics

Data governance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma in Data Analytics/Data management/Data Engineering/Computing

Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma in Data Analytics/Data management/Data Engineering/Computing

Tools

SQL

ETL

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Requisition ID11538-Posted14/09/2026- Region (1) - Location (1)

Job Title: Senior Specialist: Data Analytics

Position Reports to: Business Area Head

Division : Taxpayer Engagement & Operations – National Ops Command

Advert Closing Date : 25 September 2026

About the Position

To provide technical leadership and specialist expertise in the design, development, management, and optimisation of enterprise data, analytics, and reporting capabilities. The role is responsible for enabling trusted data ecosystems through the application of data engineering, business intelligence, analytics, data governance, and modern reporting technologies to deliver actionable insights, enhance organisational performance, and support strategic decision-making.

Job Purpose

To be responsible for importing, cleansing, transforming validating, aggregating and analysing data from various sources with the purpose of making conclusions about industry trends and best practices. Develop implementation plans and give advice on data analytics strategies in order to achieve business objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF8) in Data Analytics / Data management/ Data Engineering/ Computing AND 10 – 12 years' experience in a Data Analytics / Analysis/ Engineering environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a specialist level.

Alternative #

Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Data Analytics / Data management / Data Engineering/ Computing AND 12 - 15 years Data Analytics / Analysis / Data Engineering/ experience, of which 3 - 4 years at a specialist level.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices.
• Analyses data, creates summary reporting, and performs analysis to support the decision making of research, senior management, member companies and internal departments.
• Assist in the filtering and 'cleaning' of imported data by reviewing computer reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct code problems.
• Builds and manage/maintain database to house data collected from various sources.
• Conduct assessments and use information to advise, make recommendations and facilitate improvement.
• Conducts analysis, summarizes key findings and trends, and produces data sheets, graphics and presentations.
• Constantly monitor the integrity and quality of data and processes to identify deficiencies and facilitate improvement.
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans.
• Design, develop and test complex / advance data analytics solutions like Reports, Dashboards, Analysis Extracts, Models, etc.
• Develop multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks, supporting tactical development and excellence.
• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.
• Gathers data from multiple sources and assimilates into meaningful inputs for databases.
• Identify, analyse and interpret trends and patterns in complex / advance data sets, based on data findings.
• Influence and communicate across business areas impacted by practice area to minimise resistance and ensure on-boarding of new thinking.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes.
• Manages market research projects from start to finish. Meet all timelines, budgets, and objectives.
• Note potential problems and obstacles, accumulate supporting data and initiate actions to prevent or overcome predicted problems as may be identified.
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy development and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain.
• Perform complex / advanced business analysis using various techniques, e.g. statistical analysis, explanatory and predictive modelling, data mining.
• Plan for value-added, continuous multiple practice and system improvement optimisation to deliver on objectives and to enhance tactical excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; developing best practice solutions.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice areas and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation.
• Research best practices and supports developing the solutions and recommendations for the current business operations.
• Researches best practices; develops implementation plan of operational and cost improvement strategies assists in seeking, evaluating and implementing new technology.
• Review the effectiveness of related approaches and methodologies by conducting research, and best practice benchmarking initiatives.
• Translate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.
• Utilise basic complex / advance visualisation techniques to communicate the outcome of analysis and findings to both internal and external customers.
• Works with research analysts to plan, create and distribute surveys.

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.

Client

• Develop and ensure implementation of own practices to build delivery excellence, encouraging 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.
• Accountability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Diversity Awareness
• Expertise in Context
• Organisational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Honesty and Integrity
• Fairness and Transparency
• Respect
• Trust
• Business Knowledge
• Creative and Innovative Thinking
• Data Analysis
• Data Analytics and Computational Modelling
• Data Analytics through the use of statistical and computational techniques and tools.
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Database Design and Management
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Information management
• Reporting

Compliance Competency

• GOC Secret

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.