Senior Specialist: Market Segment Research

Sars; Pretoria; Presencial; ZAR 900.000 - 1.300.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

SARS is seeking a Senior Specialist in Market Segment Research based in Pretoria. The role focuses on in‑depth market research and analysis of products to meet legislative requirements, contributing to revenue protection and policy outcomes.

Requirements include an honours or bachelor’s degree in behavioural sciences or related fields with extensive research experience, plus competencies in AI, ML, and behavioural science frameworks. The position closes 23 October 2026.

Formación

• Honours degree with 10–12 years in behavioural or policy research, incl. specialist level.
• Alternative: Bachelor’s degree with 12–15 years’ experience and 3–4 years at specialist level.

Responsabilidades

• Analyse and recommend improvements to specialist systems, policies and practices.
• Advise on resource planning and development of area of specialisation.
• Develop practices aligned with policy frameworks and tactical development.
• Identify tactical solutions using own expertise for defined problems.
• Communicate progress and challenges to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Implement research methodologies for monitoring and reporting activities.
• Influence across business areas to onboard new thinking and minimise resistance.
• Integrate information, perform analysis and produce reports on trends and discrepancies.
• Drive value-added improvements across processes and systems in the value chain.
• Plan continuous practice and system improvement to meet objectives.

Conocimientos

Behavioural insights

Nudge theory

AI & Machine learning research

Cognitive biases

Educación

Honours Degree (NQF 8) in Behavioural Science/related field

Bachelor’s degree in Behavioural Science/related field

Herramientas

SQL basics

Descripción del empleo

Career Opportunities: Senior Specialist: Market Segment Research (11823)

Requisition ID11823-Posted13/10/2026- Region (1) - Location (1)

Position Reports to: Executive: Operational Research

Division: Knowledge Management, Research, Taxpayer & Traveler Education

Location: Lehae La SARS, Brookly Bridge Pretoria

Advert Closing Date: 23 October 2026

About the Position

In an ever-changing environment, we have built a responsive and agile organisation to give effect to our strategic intent of achieving voluntary compliance. We invite you to be part of the special team that contributes to the collection of revenue, protect the economy and people of South Africa. We believe that your skills, commitment, and dedication will add value and make a difference to the organisation and country. Integrity is key to the organisation.

Job Purpose

To provide in-depth market research and analysis of products as per legislative requirements.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Honours Degree (NQF 8) in Behavioural Science, Behavioural Economics, Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Economics, Sociology, Cognitive Science, Public Policy, Statistics, Data Science with 10 - 12 years' experience in behavioural research, applied social research, behavioural insights, policy research, customer or taxpayer research, or programme evaluation environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a specialist level.

Alternative/OR

• Bachelor’s degree in (NQF 7) in Behavioural Science, Behavioural Economics, Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Economics, Sociology, Cognitive Science, Public Policy, Statistics, Data Science with 12-15 years’ experience in behavioural research, applied social research, behavioural insights, policy research, customer or taxpayer research, or programme evaluation environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a specialist level.

Added Advantage Requirements

• SQL Query Basics and Fundamentals
• AI & Machine learning research
• Cognitive biases and heuristics
• Nudge theory
• Behavioural change frameworks (COM-B, EAST, MINDSPACE, BASIC, Behaviour change wheel)

Job Outputs

Process

• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices.
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans.
• 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.
• Ensure timeous communication on progress and challenges in achieving divisional and business unit goals to all relevant stakeholders.
• Implement research methodologies and techniques that enables monitoring and reporting of research and analytical activities.
• Influence and communicate across business areas impacted by practice area to minimise resistance and ensure onboarding of new thinking.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes.
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy development and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain.
• 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.
• Translate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.

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.
• Research, benchmark and develop client service delivery and efficiency models that leads to optimal service delivery
• Accountability
• Analytical thinking
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Expertise in Context
• External Awareness
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty & Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect
• Trust
• Business Knowledge
• Creative and Innovative Thinking
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Economic Research
• Functional Policies & Procedures
• Policy Analysis
• ReportingResearch

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.