Specialist: Data Analytics at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

In brief

**Overview** This role is for a Specialist: Data Analytics at The South African Revenue Service (SARS), the national tax collecting authority. Established under the South African Revenue Service Act 34 of 1997, SARS is an autonomous agency responsible for administering the South African tax system and customs service, primarily collecting and administering national taxes, duties, and levies. This full-time position is located in Gauteng, specifically Pretoria, within the Data, Business Analysis and AI, or ICT / Computer job fields. **What you will do** The primary purpose of this role is to transform raw data into actionable insights that support evidence-based decision-making. This involves: * Managing data quality. * Conducting advanced analyses. * Identifying trends and risks. * Developing reports and visualisations. * Providing expert analytical advice to help improve organisational performance, compliance, and strategic outcomes. * Constantly monitoring the integrity and quality of data and processes to identify deficiencies and facilitate improvement. * Contributing to the optimum utilisation of organisational resources, advising on effective planning and development of resource plans for the area of specialisation. * Developing a single practice area aligned with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensuring tactical implementation. * Drawing on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge, and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices. * Integrating business information, comparing, analysing, and producing reports to identify trends, discrepancies, and inconsistencies for decision-making purposes. * Noting potential problems and obstacles, accumulating supporting data, and initiating actions to prevent or overcome predicted problems. * Optimising goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practices, processes, and systems across an internal value chain. * Planning for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and excellence. * Proactively identifying interconnected problems, determining their impact, and using this to develop best-fit alternatives and best practice implementation solutions. * Researching and supporting workable recommendations/solutions that meet business needs through information analysis. * Reviewing the effectiveness of related approaches and methodologies by conducting research and best practice benchmarking initiatives. * Translating top-down policy in relation to own practice area and communicating impact to relevant stakeholders. * Undertaking information gathering, research, and analysing data within broad guidelines to produce accurate plans and/or recommendations for business issues. * Developing and/or aligning governance and compliance policies for own practice areas to identify and manage risk exposure liability. * Integrating new knowledge and transferring skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities. * Providing specialist know-how, support, advice, and practice thought leadership in the area of expertise. * Implementing and monitoring financial control, management of costs, and corporate governance in the area of specialisation. * Developing and ensuring implementation of a practice that builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional stakeholder service. * Participating in the specialist practice community and contributing positively to organisation knowledge management. * Providing authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * **Minimum Qualification & Experience Required:** * Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Data Science / Statistics / Mathematics / Computer Science / Economics. * 8 - 10 years' experience in a data analytics or analysis environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level. * **Alternative Qualification & Experience:** * Senior Certificate (NQF 4). * 15 years of experience in a Data Analytics or Analysis environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist level. * **Minimum Functional Requirements:** * Experience in Data Engineering / Business Data Intelligence / Data Science. * Advanced (applied theory) technical expertise regarding data processes, data cleaning, analysis, reporting, data models, and database design and testing. * Knowledge of and experience with reporting packages (SQL or equivalent, etc), databases (SQL etc), programming (SQL, R, Python, etc.). * Advanced (applied theory) knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analysing datasets (Excel, SPSS, SAS, R etc.). * Advanced (applied theory) Data warehouse knowledge. * Advanced in the application of: * Basic Data Migration * Basic Data Visualization * Business Intelligence Methodologies * Database Knowledge * Advanced (applied theory) Programming Skills i.e. SQL, and/or Python, R, etc. * Microsoft skills (Advanced in) i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. * **Behavioural Competencies:** * Accountability * Analytical thinking * Attention to details * Commitment to Continuous Learning * Conceptual Thinking * Expertise in Context * Fairness and Transparency * Honesty & Integrity * Organisational Awareness * Problem Solving and Analysis * Respect * Trust * **Technical Competencies:** * Business Knowledge * Data Analytics * Data Integrity * Data Governance * Data Collection and Analysis * Efficiency improvement * Functional Policies & Procedures * Information Management * Knowledge Management * Policy development * Reporting * Statistics & Mathematical Analysis * System Thinking **Who should apply** This role is ideal for candidates with extensive experience in data analytics, seeking to transform raw data into actionable insights for a national tax authority. Applicants should possess a relevant Bachelor's Degree/Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) with 8-10 years of experience, or a Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 15 years of experience, with both paths requiring 3-4 years at a junior specialist level in a data analytics environment. Essential technical expertise includes advanced knowledge and practical experience in Data Engineering, Business Data Intelligence, or Data Science, encompassing data processes, cleaning, analysis, reporting, data models, and database design and testing. Proficiency in SQL, R, Python, statistical packages (Excel, SPSS, SAS), and data warehouse concepts is required, alongside advanced skills in data migration, visualization, business intelligence methodologies, and Microsoft Office applications. Beyond technical skills, the successful candidate will demonstrate strong behavioural competencies such as accountability, analytical thinking, attention to detail, commitment to continuous learning, integrity, problem-solving, and a focus on organisational awareness and client service. **Deadline** 12th October, 2026 **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/specialist-data-analytics-the-south-african-revenue-service-sars-9 Source: myjobmag

Summary drafted with AI assistance from the original advert. The advert itself is the authority — how we use AI.

At a glance

• At least 8 years of experience.

• Python
• SQL
• Microsoft Excel

Extracted automatically from the advert; confirm requirements on the original listing.

Job description

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