Junior Specialist: Analytics & Data Science

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
We are looking for a passionate, technically gifted candidate to deliver advanced analytics and data science capabilities in support of the Internal Audit function. Through executing data-driven audit procedures — including exceptions testing, full population analysis and control effectiveness assessment — in accordance with the Group Audit Plan and Internal Audit methodology; and to contribute to the design, development and governance of AI-powered audit solutions that enhance the quality, efficiency and insight of the assurance process.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

1. Audit Delivery Support

• Secure access to data warehouses and other relevant data sources.
• Manage secure data transfers from business units.
• Create and maintain data dictionaries and reusable datasets for audit use.
• Clean, transform, and prepare data for audit testing.
• Build and maintain reusable, automated audit analytics programs.
• Develop sustainable analytics models, scripts, and dashboards to support audit execution.
• Collaborate with audit teams to design and implement complex, insightful analytics tests.
• Ensure compliance with data security and transfer protocols.

2. Strategic Analytics & A.I Development

• Contribute to the execution of strategic A.I initiatives within Internal Audit.
• Identify opportunities to embed data science and A.I solutions into audit planning, fieldwork, and reporting.
• Develop and implement data-driven business monitoring programs.
• Research and evaluate emerging analytics tools and techniques relevant to audit.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with data owners, business MI teams, and audit stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor to audit teams on analytics opportunities and best practices.
• Communicate progress and insights to Data Analytics Manager and Head of Department.

4. Knowledge Management & Continuous Learning

• Stay current with developments in data analytics, audit, and regulatory trends.
• Share knowledge and tools with peers across Internal Audit.
• Attend relevant conferences and training sessions to enhance skills and awareness.

5. Problem Solving & Innovation

• Apply analytics across the audit lifecycle: risk assessment, control testing, and outcomes analysis.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve audit processes through analytics.
• Take initiative on additional tasks and projects that enhance audit value.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in informatics, Statistics, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years' hands-on experience in data analytics and data science, with a strong focus on coding-based tools. Experience in Applied Machine Learning is an advantage.
• Proven experience in Python, SQL is essential. .
• Proficiency in Excel and/or Power BI is expected, but not as primary tools.
• Familiarity with SAS or R is advantageous.
• Experience developing analytics in support of risk, controls, or audit functions.
• Exposure to financial services or regulated industries is preferred.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., SAS, SQL, Python, data mining, machine learning) are advantageous.

Preferred Skills & Attributes:

• Strong understanding of relational databases and data warehousing.
• Experience developing dashboards and visualizations for audit or risk insights.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, agile environment.

You Are a Great Fit If You:

• Have a passion for Data Science and A.I.
• Are passionate about using analytics to improve assurance effectiveness.
• Want to grow your career within Banking, not just data science.
• Are proactive, self-driven, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Enjoy working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

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