Data Specialist

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Introduction
Our client is seeking a Data Specialist who will bring deep technical expertise and strategic oversight to ensure optimal data management and utilisation. This role requires a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in data, particularly spatial data, who can tackle complex technical challenges and drive innovative data solutions to support business objectives. The Data Specialist will play a pivotal role in technical implementation, operational efficiency, and project execution, ensuring the seamless integration of spatial and other data into company initiatives.

Roles & Responsibilities:
Geospatial Analysis & Problem-Solving:

• Act as a primary technical expert for complex spatial analysis tasks, including data modelling, spatial analysis, and the creation of detailed visualisations to inform decision making. 
• Identify shortcomings and data quality problems within internal and external datasets.
• Serve as the technical team lead for data product development and project delivery.
• Enhance and enrich client data with verified and validated location intelligence and insights. 
• Development of intelligent AI algorithms to identify gaps in higher volumes of wider varieties of existing and third-party datasets. 

Technology & Tools Implementation:

• Drive the adoption of best-in-class geospatial tools and technologies.
• Evaluate, implement, and maintain GIS software and related tools in accordance with company needs and budget.
• Perform regular technology, data and data quality reviews to drive cost optimisation.
• Provided technical recommendations and support documentation to aid in GIS process improvement.

Specialised Spatial Data Solutions:

• Create custom spatial data workflows, automation, and analytics tailored to business needs. This may involve advanced data processing, 3D modelling or spatial data visualisations.

Business Intelligence and AI Integration:

• Translate spatial data insights into actionable business intelligence by integrating geospatial data with internal analytics and reporting systems, such as business dashboards.

Business Intelligence and AI Integration:

• Translate spatial data insights into actionable business intelligence by integrating geospatial data with internal analytics and reporting systems, such as business dashboards.
• Assist with the modelling and development of AI-powered Descriptive Analytics Geospatial tools, Diagnostic Analytics Geospatial tools, Predictive Analytics Geospatial tools and
• Prescriptive Analytics Geospatial tools.

Data Management & Strategy:

• Ensure that all data aligns with organisational needs and adheres to quality standards.
• Research and evaluate additional datasets and insights to add to the company offering.
• Conduct trend analysis on market and competitor movements and strategies.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal teams, including Product Development, Operations, IT and Sales to integrate spatial data solutions that support broader business objectives.
• Serve as a secondary point of contact for all data-related queries. 

Client Engagement:

• Ensure high-quality results are delivered on time and within budget.
• Provide technical support to the Sales team and participate in client pre-sales engagements from time to time. 

Minimum Requirements
Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Geoinformatics, Geospatial Science, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in GIS, spatial data management, or a similar role
• Extensive experience with one or more GIS software tools (QGIS, MapInfo, ArcGIS) and spatial databases (PostGIS, SQL Server and Oracle).
• Deep knowledge of datasets, such as deeds and cadastre.
• Proficiency in SQL for spatial data processing and automation.
• Experience in machine learning and AI applications in geospatial analytics.
• Strong background in geospatial data analysis, visualisation, and predictive modelling.
• Geological classification map styling knowledge to ensure correct data visualisation.
• Extensive experience in the South African data environment that includes in-depth knowledge of local datasets.
• Experience in data cleaning, geocoding and data mining principles.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex spatial data to non technical stakeholders.

Advantageous:

• Registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC) as Professional GISc Practitioner.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and/or R for spatial data processing and automation.
• Experience and understanding of Deeds data.
• Experience and understanding of CIPC data.
• Experience and understanding of OLAP.