ERM Data Scientist needed at FirstRand Corporate Centre

Job Description

• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is a business unit in FirstRand Corporate Centre (FCC). ERM is a centre of excellence, specifically with regards to risk, that partners with business to provide world class risk management solutions and actionable risk insights in support of the group’s strategic objectives. ERM seeks to drive initiatives to positively change the group’s risk profile.
• The “Enterprise Risk Management – Data Scientist” role reports into the Data Enablement Head and will focus on providing support to Enterprise risk management risk areas with data related capabilities and solutions depending on the needs of the area. This includes integrated scenario analysis, stress testing, quantitative analysis, data architecture, data management, and risk modelling. Furthermore, the purpose of the role is to perform various data and analytics activities that will include (among others), data acquisition, aggregation, mining, and analysis; mathematical and statistical modelling; automation of analytical solutions and business processes; and development and implementation of end-to-end analytical solutions for various risk teams. All analyses and outcomes should support management and stakeholders to achieve their strategic objectives, make informed decisions and remain at the forefront of latest best practices

Are you someone who can:

PROCESS

• Perform data identification, acquisition, and aggregation for enterprise risk.
• Execute data structuring, big data handling/analysis and data mining for enterprise risk.
• Do quantification and modelling of enterprise risk, including interaction and inter-dependencies with other risk types, in line with set strategies and objectives.
• Research, develop, test, and implement scenario analysis and forecasting models for various risk areas.
• Assist with the development of stress testing, scenario analysis and forecasting models for various risk types.
• Assist with the integration of stress testing models across risk types and non-risk areas (for example finance and Treasury) to arrive at an integrated, aligned solution on a common platform.
• Perform data management, analysis, and modelling of risks as and when required.
• Develop, implement, automate and optimise analytical solutions, including programming / coding of underlying methodologies.
• Research and develop the latest analysis and modelling techniques.

CUSTOMER/STAKEHOLDER

• Build and maintain excellent, professional working relationships with all stakeholders, based on trust and mutual respect.
• Effectively, timely, continuously, and professionally communicate with all customers / stakeholders.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand their business requirements and come up with (develop) appropriate solutions.
• Ensure that solutions and deliverables are appropriate, timeous and of a high standard.
• Provide high quality analyses, reports and presentations to management, stakeholders and governance committees.
• Participate in relevant industry initiatives and programmes to gain knowledge and assist in the implementation and development of best practice in the group.

PEOPLE

• Understand which competencies and skills are required to be mastered to ensure personal development and performance.
• Prioritize opportunities to learn from colleagues and in turn share knowledge with others.
• Plan and manage own workflow, anticipating obstacles, prioritize effectively and following through on objectives within agreed timeframes and according to quality standards.
• Contribute to a friendly, co-operative climate in working with others to achieve collective goals.
• Commit to the FirstRand promises, which are: keeping promises made, being deeply invested, valuing differences, building trust and not territory, having courage, always doing the right thing, and staying curious.
• Research, enable and consult on improvements and opportunities to harness technology and platform enablement.
• Review existing processes and suggest innovative ideas to improve and streamline processes to drive efficiencies and minimise redundancy.
• Partner and collaborate with team members to achieve team success.
• Share information and knowledge that benefits the team.
• Build relationships that allow for the managing of expectations; the sharing of knowledge and diverse insights; and the creation of buy-in
• Engage in cross-functional relationships to obtain and to provide work support.
• Participate in planned activities that are appropriate for own development.

You will be an ideal candidate if you:

• Have completed an honours degree in data science, mathematics, business mathematics, statistics, actuarial science or similar (minimum requirement)
• Have a masters degree in a quantitative field such as mathematics, data science, business mathematics, statistics or similar (advantageous)
• Have an additional qualification in risk measurement or management (advantageous).
• Have an additional qualification in climate science (advantageous)
• Have 5 years’ experience in a data- and analytics role in a banking environment (minimum requirement)
• Have experience in risk management (advantageous).
• Have experience in stress testing and scenarios analysis related to risk (advantageous).

We can be a match if you are:

Technical skills:

• Problem statement / requirement identification and articulation.
• Research, development and implementation of analytical solutions.
• Data identification, acquisition, aggregation and ETL (extract, transform and load).
• Data handling, including big data (both structured and unstructured).
• Data mining and analysis.
• Mathematical, statistical, actuarial, and risk modelling.
• Automation of analytical solutions and business processes.
• Advanced programming in statistical packages (for example SAS, MATLAB, R or Python).
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Dynamic reporting using dashboards in relevant software solutions (for example Power BI).
• Familiarity with Geographic Information System (GIS) software, statistical downscaling techniques, and Integrated Assessment Models (advantageous).

Essential skills:

• Report writing, preparing documents/packs, compiling presentations, and presenting.
• Ability to translate complex analytical subjects and solutions into easy understandable business intelligence and sets of information for various stakeholders and audiences.

Soft skills:

• Fast learner and take responsibility for continuous personal development, learning and growth.
• Effective time management and prioritization.
• Excellent planning and coordination skills.
• Work independent or as part of a team, both in a structured and unstructured environment.
• Communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to see and understand the bigger picture – strong awareness of business strategy and objectives.
• Build and maintain excellent, professional work relationships and network in the Group.
• Treat all peers and stakeholders with respect and integrity.
• Resolve disputes through negotiation, facilitation, and persuasion techniques.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment with diverse stakeholders.