LOCATION: Cape Town or Gauteng

R HIGHLY NEGOTIABLE PLUS ANNUAL PERFORMANCE BONUS

Our client is an independent digital marketplace for debt instruments in SA. It’s a new initiative and part of a big, listed FS company – they run their business in a nimble and technology savvy manner! Great people and huge aspirations for their market share!

They now seek a data scientist / quantitative analyst, to join their team. You will report to the COO.

JOB DESCRIPTION WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• You will be required to plan, build, optimise, and implement innovative quantitative analytical methodologies, procedures, products and advanced mathematical, and data science models that provide analytical support and interpret insights, using advanced analytics technologies, to address business opportunities and problems and implement business strategy;
• Business knowledge:
  • You will be required to demonstrate an integrated knowledge of the company value proposition and value chain (clients, products, and competitors) by presenting clear and best practice business cases for Bank data initiatives in response to changing business situations and requirements;
• Macro environment:
  • You will be required to understand and evaluate environmental inter-dependencies, impacts and opportunities (national and global) on the implementation of data objectives.
  • You will be required to consider and integrate relevant macro factors into data analytics plans and adjust and improvements to data capabilities;
• Data analytics:
  • You will be required to participate in data architecture and engineering decision-making to support downstream analytics;
  • You will be required to develop and apply statistical models to collect, organise and summarise data to enable insights/ trends for business stakeholders;
  • You will be required to perform ad hoc exploratory statistics and data mining tasks on diverse datasets from small-scale to big data;
  • You will be required to enable best practice capabilities around data analytics to enable knowledge sharing across the stakeholder community;
  • You will be required to provide users with collaboration analytic tools to enable business insights and timeous problem-solving;
• Data modelling:
  • You will be required to develop and validate predictive modelling and machine learning approaches that enable stakeholders to pre-emptively determine best-fit business tactics. This includes investigating data visualisation and summarisation techniques for conveying key data;
• Data decisioning processes:
  • You will be required to provide complex risk analysis to provide management with business insights and recommendations e.g., strategies for growth, debt management, better risk / return relationships and portfolio performance;
  • You will be required to partner with business teams to support strategic business choices and investment decisions. This includes communicating opportunities, financial and process trade-offs from advanced statistical methods;
• Project management:
  • You will be required to apply project management methodology to effectively manage numerous data projects that cut across functional areas. This includes the implementation of change management practices to ensure that any changes are understood and project objectives achieved;
• You will be required to assess own performance by seeking timely and clear feedback and request training where appropriate;
• You will be required to utilise, refine and enhance advanced statistical models and data analysis to inform decision-making and address business needs;
• You will be required to develop and implement advanced statistical models and data analysis to optimise processes, inform strategic decisions and meet current and future business requirements, reduce risk, and generate profits;
• You will be required to deliver value-added outputs across the analytics value chain in the delivery of business strategy;
• You will be required to implement localised analytics strategy to address business needs;
• You will be required to utilise advanced analytics technologies, program own statistical model, and apply advanced data modelling methodologies that inform future fit strategic decisions and test current assumptions;
• You will be required to develop, encourage, and nurture collaborative relationships within the company and / or across the FRG;
• You will be required to develop new insights into situations and apply innovative solutions to make organizational improvements;
• You will be required to focus on providing optimal services and improving service delivery processes to meet or exceed customer expectations;
• You will be required to contribute to the development of a budget aligned to operational delivery plans, monitor effectiveness and report on variances;
• You will be required to ensure compliance with legislative and audit requirements and adherence to relevant processes;
• You will be required to build working relationships across teams and functional lines to enhance work delivery, collaboration and innovation.

CORE COMPETENCIES REQUIRED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• You have analysis skills and a keen eye for detail – the ability to be systematic and rule-orientated in gathering, reviewing, and evaluating data from a variety of perspectives; includes the ability to work with precision and highlight inconsistencies and inaccuracies in detailed information;
• You have big picture thinking skills – the ability to integrate information from a variety of sources, discern complex underlying relationships, and predict patterns for future growth;
• You are driven and results orientated – are a self-starter and originator who maintains high levels of activity and produces a consistently high-quality output within agreed deadlines. Prompt and proactive in driving for results and sets demanding goals for self and others;
• You have problem solving skills – able to cut to the core of issues and applies effective analysis, logic and creativity to identify and implement solutions;
• You are customer service orientated – able to anticipate, recognise and meet the needs of internal and external clients or customers (however these are defined in the role), taking responsibility for maintaining the highest service standards and developing and sustaining productive client relationships;
• You are able to build relationships – have the capacity to put people at ease and build sound relationships based on mutual trust and openness.

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CORE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• You have a postgraduate degree in mathematics, statistics, or any other quantitative discipline –
• You have a B degree in mathematics, statistics, engineering, computer science, econometrics, physics, or actuarial science – this is preferred;
• You have a minimum 4-6 years current, relevant experience in a data analytics and model development environment and in FS;
• You have knowledge of investment banking environment and products – this would be a distinct advantage;
• You have in-depth knowledge and application of:
  • Probability and statistics;
  • Advanced analytical languages;
  • Big data tools
  • Azure machine learning techniques;
  • Azure data bricks;
  • Exploratory data analysis, data science pipeline lines;
  • Hands-on experience using models such as classification, churn, segmentation, time series, and feature engineering;
• You have deep domain knowledge with regards to financial services: debt instruments specifically;
• You have knowledge of Design Thinking;
• You have an understanding of Analytics Operations, Agile, and SAFE concepts;
• You have an understanding of Data and Information Management topics e.g., structure, dimensions, storage;
• You have knowledge of Big data modelling;
• You have knowledge of Python, SQL, MATLAB, SAS, Teradata, or R (used for statistical analysis);
• You have knowledge of Azure machine learning;
• You have knowledge of data mining and data modelling;
• You have knowledge of data visualisation and reporting with Power BI.

This is a fantastic business. There are HUGE opportunities here – they like super smart people who get on with the job and work smartly, and who are aligned to make this initiative a global success.