Senior Specialist: Market Segment Research

In brief

**Overview** This role is for a Senior Specialist in Market Segment Research at the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The primary purpose of this position is to provide in-depth market research and analysis of products in accordance with legislative requirements. **What you will do** * Analyze and make recommendations for improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies, and practices. * Contribute to the optimum utilization of organizational resources by advising on effective planning and development of resource plans for the area of specialization. * Develop multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks, supporting tactical development and excellence. * Draw on technical or professional expertise, knowledge, and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices. * Ensure timely communication regarding progress and challenges in achieving divisional and business unit goals to all relevant stakeholders. * Implement research methodologies and techniques that enable monitoring and reporting of research and analytical activities. * Influence and communicate across business areas impacted by the practice area to minimize resistance and ensure onboarding of new thinking. * Integrate business information, compare, analyze, and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies, and inconsistencies for decision-making purposes. * Optimize goal achievement through tactical strategy development and optimization of practices, processes, and systems across an internal value chain. * Plan for value-added, continuous multiple practice and system improvement optimization to deliver on objectives and to enhance tactical excellence. * Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine their impact, and use this to develop best-fit alternatives and best practice solutions. * Recommend changes to optimize processes, systems, practice areas, and associated procedures, and execute the implementation of change and innovation. * Translate top-down policy, apply modifications in relation to own practice area, and communicate the impact to relevant stakeholders. * Develop and/or align governance and compliance policies for own practice area to identify and manage risk exposure liability. * Integrate new knowledge and transfer skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of the job. * Provide specialist know-how, support, advice, and practice thought leadership in the area of expertise. * Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs, and corporate governance in the area of specialization. * 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 organization knowledge management. * Provide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders. * Research, benchmark, and develop client service delivery and efficiency models that lead to optimal service delivery. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * **Minimum Qualification & Experience Required**: * Honours Degree NQF 8 in Behavioural Science, Behavioural Economics, Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Economics, Sociology, Cognitive Science, Public Policy, Statistics, or 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. * OR * Bachelor’s degree NQF 7 in Behavioural Science, Behavioural Economics, Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Economics, Sociology, Cognitive Science, Public Policy, Statistics, or 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**: * Data analysis: R Studio * Power BI Data Analytics * Python * SQL Query Basics and Fundamentals * AI & Machine learning research * Natural language processing * Cognitive biases and heuristics * Nudge theory * Behavioural change frameworks COM-B, EAST, MINDSPACE, BASIC, Behaviour change wheel * **Behavioural Competencies**: * Accountability * Analytical thinking * Attention to details * Commitment to Continuous Learning * Conceptual Ability * Expertise in Context * External Awareness * Fairness and Transparency * Honesty & Integrity * Organisational Awareness * Problem Solving and Analysis * Respect * Trust * **Technical Competencies**: * Business Knowledge * Creative and Innovative Thinking * Data Collection and Analysis * Economic Research * Efficiency improvement * Functional Policies & Procedures * Policy Analysis * Reporting * Research **Who should apply** This role is suited for experienced professionals with a strong academic background (Honours NQF 8 or Bachelor's NQF 7) in fields such as Behavioural Science, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Cognitive Science, Public Policy, Statistics, or Data Science. Candidates must possess substantial experience (10-15 years, with 3-4 years at specialist level) in behavioural research, applied social research, behavioural insights, policy research, customer/taxpayer research, or programme evaluation. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and implementing research methodologies, while also exhibiting key behavioural and technical competencies necessary for a specialist role within a governance-focused environment. Those with advanced skills in data analysis tools, AI/ML research, NLP, and behavioural change theories are particularly encouraged to apply. **Deadline** 23rd October, 2026 **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/senior-specialist-market-segment-research-the-south-african-revenue-service-sars 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 10 years of experience.

• Python
• SQL
• Power BI

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

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