Specialist Data Analyst

Absa Group; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 450 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company in South Africa is seeking a Data Analyst to transform complex data into actionable insights, support strategic decision-making, and enhance operational management. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in Power BI, data modelling, and stakeholder engagement. A Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology or a related field is required. This role brings the opportunity to contribute to the company's growth and data-driven initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience with Power BI, particularly in dashboard design and DAX usage.
• Proficient in SQL, specifically T-SQL, and experience with Microsoft SQL Server.
• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Support business by transforming data into actionable insights.
• Design and maintain data models that provide insights.
• Work closely with stakeholders to define BI solutions and improve performance.

Skills

Power BI dashboard design

DAX

SQL (T-SQL)

Data modeling

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in IT or related field

Postgraduate Degree/Diploma in IT

Tools

Power Platform

Microsoft SQL Server

Azure Data Lake

Job description

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

To provide support to the business through the development and maintenance of accurate information and the analysis of available information. To provide valuable insights for strategic decision making and accurate information for day-to-day operational management.

Job Description

The Data Analyst will support the Engineering, Services & Platforms Office (ESPO) function by transforming complex technical and financial data into actionable insights. The role focuses on building robust data models, dashboards, and analytical solutions that enable effective decision-making, cost optimisation, compliance, and performance monitoring across the ESPO estate.

Key Responsibilities

Business Intelligence

• Translate ESPO and broader business requirements into effective BI solutions.
• Design, build, and maintain data models that convert raw operational data into meaningful insights.
• Identify, define, and track key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned to ESPO objectives (e.g. asset utilisation, compliance, lifecycle costs).
• Analyse trends and patterns in asset, financial, and operational data to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Present insights through clear, intuitive reports and dashboards for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Power Platform Development

• Design, develop, test, and deploy Power BI dashboards and interactive visual reports.
• Use knowledge of Power Platform, including Power Apps and Power Automate to identify productivity optimistation opportunities.
• Create custom visuals, calculations, and measures to meet business requirements.
• Write and optimise DAX queries and functions to support advanced analytics.
• Ensure data solutions are performant, scalable, and aligned to BI standards.

Data Modelling & Architecture

• Develop and maintain tabular and multidimensional data models.
• Create and manage relationships between multiple data sources.
• Document data models, calculations, business logic, and assumptions clearly.
• Support data governance and data quality initiatives within ESPO.
• Support data governance and ensure responsible handling of sensitive datasets.

Data Engineering

• Analyse existing ETL processes and identify opportunities for optimisation and automation.
• Design and define new ETL solutions where required.
• Work with data warehouse environments and BI tools including SSAS, SSIS, and SSRS.
• Support data warehouse development and enhancements related to ITAM data.
• Build basic data quality checks and monitor data pipeline health.
• Proactively identify and resolve data issues.

Data Analytics

• Understanding of data science, data wrangling, predictive data modelling, etc. and able to grow and use these skills to develop practical solutions.
• Experience with forecasting models or time-series analysis in Power BI or Python.

• Use knowledge of Machine Learning techniques to develop predictive models that enable proactive intervention.
• Deliver insights that support operational KPIs, SLAs/OLAs, and service performance metrics.
• Highlight inefficiencies and operational risks through data-driven analysis.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with ESPO stakeholders, technology teams, and business users at all levels.
• Convert business requirements into technical specifications and define delivery timelines.
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve performance, efficiency, and reporting maturity.
• Support users with report interpretation and continuous improvement of BI solutions.

Technical Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Strong experience with Power BI (dashboard design, DAX, data modelling).
• Proven experience using Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, etc)
• Strong SQL (T-SQL preferred), experience with Microsoft SQL Server.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure, AWS, Azure Data Lake, Databricks and PySpark.
• Solid understanding of data warehousing concepts.
• Working knowledge of version control tools (e.g., Git or Azure DevOps).

Advantageous:

• Power BI and/or Azure Fundamentals Certification beneficial.
• Experience in Technology Finance and/or Technology Operational Reporting.
• Previous Banking or Financial Services industry experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Analytics, or related field.
• Postgraduate Degree/Diploma in Information Technology (Maters / Honours) or equivalent is advantageous.

Behavioural & Competency Requirements

• Ability to influence decisions through clear, evidence-based storytelling.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, business-friendly insights.
• High attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Self-driven, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Continuous improvement mindset and curiosity around data and analytics.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with a collaborative mindset.

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised