Senior Specialist: Data Analytics/Data Scientist

Afrizan People Intelligence Group; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 950,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Afrizan People Intelligence Group is seeking a Senior Specialist: Data Analytics/Data Scientist to lead the design, development and deployment of advanced data science and ML solutions in Pretoria. You will guide the full lifecycle from problem framing to deployment and monitoring.

You will mentor teams, ensure data integrity, and drive governance, explainability and responsible AI across analytical projects for business impact.

Qualifications

• Honours or higher in statistics, mathematics, engineering, CS or data science with 10–12 years in data analytics.
• Alternatively, a bachelor's degree with 12–15 years in data analytics, including 3–4 years at specialist level.
• Advanced experience in data science, data engineering and/or BI.
• Expert knowledge of end-to-end ML lifecycle.
• Advanced experience with SQL, Python, R and/or Spark.
• Expert data warehousing and enterprise data platforms knowledge.
• Experience in feature engineering, MLOps and model lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Data Scientists to develop scalable, high-quality solutions.
• Manage ML lifecycle from problem formulation to deployment, monitoring and optimisation.
• Conduct advanced statistical analysis, modelling and ML to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Develop best-practice approaches across DS, data engineering, BI and MLOps.
• Monitor data integrity, model performance and analytics processes for improvement.
• Apply model validation, explainability and Responsible AI principles.
• Translate complex business questions into measurable data-driven solutions.
• Produce advanced visualisations and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Research emerging methodologies to improve solutions.
• Provide specialist advice across multiple business areas and support governance and risk.

Skills

Data Science

Data Engineering

Business Intelligence

ML lifecycle

SQL

Python

R

Spark

Data Warehousing

MLOps

Model explainability

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Honours degree (NQF 8) in Statistics/Math/Engineering/CS/Data Science

Bachelor’s degree (NQF 7) in a relevant field

Tools

SAS

SPSS

SQL

Job description

Our client is seeking a highly skilledSenior Specialist: Data Analytics Data Scientist to lead the design, development and deployment of advanced data science and machine learning solutions. This senior role will play an important part in driving data-led decision-making, modernisation initiatives and organisational performance while providing technical leadership and specialist guidance across the business.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor Data Scientists in developing scalable, high-quality data science solutions.
• Manage solutions across the full machine learning lifecycle, from problem formulation and data preparation through to deployment, monitoring and optimisation.
• Conduct advanced statistical analysis, computational modelling and machine learning to identify trends, opportunities and potential risks.
• Develop and implement best-practice approaches across Data Science, Data Engineering, Business Intelligence and MLOps.
• Monitor data integrity, model performance and analytical processes to identify deficiencies and drive continuous improvement.
• Apply model validation, explainability and Responsible AI principles across analytical solutions.
• Analyse complex business information and translate findings into clear recommendations and actionable strategies.
• Produce advanced data visualisations and communicate analytical findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Research emerging methodologies, technologies and industry best practices to improve existing solutions.
• Provide specialist advice and influence stakeholders across multiple business areas.
• Support governance, compliance, risk management and quality assurance within the data analytics environment.

Requirements:

• An Honours Degree/Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) in Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science or a related field, with 10–12 years' experience in a Data Analytics environment, including 3–4 years at specialist level; or
• A Bachelor's Degree/Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in a relevant field, with 12–15 years' experience in Data Analytics, including 3–4 years at specialist level.
• Advanced experience in Data Science, Data Engineering and/or Business Intelligence.
• Expert knowledge of the end-to-end machine learning lifecycle.
• Advanced experience with SQL or equivalent technologies, Python, R and/or Spark.
• Strong knowledge of statistical analysis tools and techniques, including platforms such as SAS, SPSS or R.
• Expert knowledge of data warehousing and enterprise data platforms.
• Experience in feature engineering, MLOps, model lifecycle management, validation and explainability.
• Strong understanding of scalable data processing and advanced data visualisation.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, mentoring and quality assurance experience.
• Excellent analytical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, stakeholder communication and business acumen.
• The ability to translate complex business challenges into measurable data-driven solutions.

EE Disclaimer:

All positions will be filled in accordance with the company's Employment Equity plan. We encourage people with disabilities to apply.

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