Data Specification Specialist (Hybrid)

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Our client is searching for a looking for a detail-oriented, high-performing, self-starter professional with extensive experience in the credit and risk data sharing industry, specifically in the development, industry consultation and implementation of data specifications and reporting. The ideal candidate will be fully accountable for managing the organisation's data specifications and providing input into related software development and testing. 

Location: Midrand - Hybrid (mostly remote with occasional in-person meetings)

Purpose of the role

The Data Specification Specialist is responsible for designing, developing, implementing and updating existing and new data specifications that support the Association’s data strategy. This role will also contribute towards ensuring compliance and industry buy-in, as well as assisting with the design and testing of related software solutions.

They would be accountable and responsible for:

• Acting as the authoritative source for the organisation's data specifications, their content, use, and interpretation in line with approved policies and SOPs;
• Designing/enhancing, developing and implementing data specifications;
• Keeping track of legislative and compliance requirements and ensuring the data specifications are updated accordingly;
• Consulting with the internal organisation's office staff, members, industry stakeholders and regulators;
• Providing input into design and performing testing for IT solutions; and
• Using existing business intelligence tools to analyse data to identify patterns and

High-level description of role

• Proactively monitor, review, and update data specifications in required formats in response to industry changes, legislative updates, and stakeholder requests
• Act as the single point of accountability for internal data specification queries, coordinating with relevant teams and stakeholders where required.
• Manage the specification portfolio as a cohesive program, balancing priorities across products and initiatives.
• Define, design and maintain all relevant data specifications according to industry requirements and relevant legislation.
• Analyse trends, identify root causes of deviations, and propose practical changes to improve outcomes.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead Data Industry Forum meetings and other data stakeholder engagements, ensuring agendas are strategic, discussions are insightful, and outcomes are actionable.
• Coordinate, arrange and attend data meetings, including drafting the agenda and minute-taking.
• Create a plan to roll out new data specifications, taking into account any software applications impacted and including a training approach, so that the right internal teams and members understand and can use the new specifications effectively.
• Participate in the software solution design process and prepare/review applicable requirements specifications as required.

Qualifications

NQF Level 6 Diploma / Advanced certificate

• Business/Data Analytics and Management/Statistics/IT/Financial

NQF Level 7 3-year degree / Advanced diploma

• BSc/B.Com/Business/Data Analytics and Management/Statistics/ IT/Financial

Experience

4 – 8 years of experience

• Credit or risk industry and/or data analysis/management and/or software design and testing within a credit bureau or credit provider

Competencies

• Driver's Licenses - Code B; Motor vehicle license
• Computer Literacy
  • Advanced MS Office
  • Advance Excel
• Analytics
  • PowerBI
  • PivotTables

Behavioural Competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Conflict Management
• Consultation
• Coordination
• Customer/Member Service Orientation
• Disciplined
• Influencing
• Innovative and Creative
• Interpersonal and Relationship Building
• Leadership
• Negotiation
• Planning and Organising
• Proactive Problem Solving
• Resilience and tenacity
• Responsibility
• Self-motivated
• Strategic thinking
• Stress tolerance

Functional / Technical Competencies

• Business Acumen
• Knowledge of applicable data management
• Knowledge of the Credit and Risk Industries, including Bureaus
• Craft messages for knowledge transfer and education of stakeholders
• Presentation skills
• Project Management
• Report writing
• Research
• Statistical Analysis
• Understanding of applicable legislation

Knowledge

• Credit and Risk data sharing Industries, including Bureaus

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate must have 4 - 8 years’ experience in the credit and risk data sharing industry, ideally within a credit bureau or credit provider environment, where they have been responsible for, or materially contributed to, the development and implementation of data specifications, data governance, and regulatory reporting. They should possess strong analytical capability and experience in using business intelligence tools to identify trends and insights, paired with the rigor to serve as the authoritative source for the organisation's data definitions, usage, and interpretation. This individual should be comfortable collaborating across multistakeholder technical and non- technical teams, providing clear input into software solution design and performing testing, while also confidently engaging members, industry stakeholders, and regulators. They should stay ahead of legislative and compliance changes, translating requirements into accurate, practical updates to data specifications that support the organisation's broader data strategy.