Data Scientist

Data Scientist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:                  Data Scientist

Post Number:           78163

Job Level:           MIS/IT 7    

Department:            The Accountant General’s Department – A Department of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service

The Information and Technology Division is responsible for providing support to the Treasury in all areas of operations, facilitating the modernization of fiscal processes through the use of better methods and techniques, and cutting-edge information technology.  The work of this division improves the acquisition, allocation, utilisation and conservation of public financial resources using automated, integrated, effective, efficient and cost-effective information systems.

The Division is responsible for the development and maintenance of the Government’s Financial Management System’s (GFMS) IT infrastructure, establishing connectivity and interoperability between MDAs and the AGD, with the Central Treasury Management System (CTMS) at its core. It is also responsible for training the AGD’s staff as well as staff of the MOFPSS and MDAs in the use and functions of the relevant IT systems, guided by recognized standards and formal policy. 

The Division is also responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the AGD’s Records Management System (RMS) as part of the overall management system, based on records management principles, to facilitate the management of the AGD’s records to meet the AGD’s information needs, stakeholders’ information expectations, and statutory and fiscal requirements regarding records.

2.      JOB PURPOSE

The Data Scientist/Engineer will be responsible for developing and implementing data-driven solutions to address critical challenges within the AGD. The incumbent will serve as a strategic data analytics specialist in the Information and Technology Division of the AGD, focusing on the analysis and management of large-scale data from various sources and provides data-driven insights and solutions. In this position, the Data Scientist/Engineer gains exposure to almost all elements of the Department’s business and will be instrumental in improving financial reporting, preventing fraud and optimizing resource allocation and public financial management. The Data Scientist/Engineer aids all relevant units with data analysis, reporting and dashboard solutions that will enable the AGD to achieve its strategic goals and operate within the AGD’s approved risk appetite.

Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to Government’s goals and strategies:                                                                                  

• Gather data from all (primary and secondary) sources, ensuring the upkeep of databases and data systems.
• Detect, examine and decode trends or patterns within intricate datasets.
• Cleanse data and scrutinize computer-generated reports and outputs to identify and rectify coding errors.
• Coordinate with management in support of Business Intelligence to align business and informational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for business process enhancements.
• Employ statistical techniques to scrutinize data and produce actionable business insights.
• Collaborate with the management team to determine and rank the needs of relevant units.
• Develop data dashboards, charts and visual aids to support decision-making across units.
• Convey insights through both reports and visual presentations.
• Engage with managers from various departments to specify data requirements for analysis projects tailored to their unique business processes.

3.      Key Outputs

• Treasury Management activities supported.
• Business Intelligence activities supported.
• Data Warehouse managed and maintained.
• Data Pipelines designed, developed and implemented.
• Data Quality metrics developed and managed.
• Data visualization tools built and deployed.
• Financial Models developed and maintained.
• Data collected, cleansed, analyzed and interrogated.
• Detail reports developed and presented as required.
• All data errors rectified.
• Business enhancement opportunities developed and communicated.
• Relevant recommendations made.

4.      KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical

• Design, develop and implement data pipelines for extracting, cleansing, and transforming financial data from disparate sources within the AGD.
• Utilize advanced data analysis techniques (statistical modeling, machine learning etc.) to identify anomalies, trends and patterns in financial data.
• Develop and maintain data quality metrics to ensure the accuracy and consistency of data used for analysis.
• Build and deploy data visualization tools (dashboards, reports etc.) to effectively communicate complex financial data insights to stakeholders at all levels.
• Work collaboratively with subject matter experts across the AGD to understand business needs and translate them into actionable data analysis projects.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest data science and analytics tools and technologies, recommending and implementing new approaches to further enhance data management and analysis capabilities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of data governance policies and procedures for the AGD.
• Provide technical support and guidance to other departments on data-related initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive and large-scale data analysis, interpretation and assessment, with a view to formulating solutions to various challenges within the public financial management context.
• Provide effective reporting of analyses back to relevant stakeholders of the AGD, including the creation of visual models, to represent the possible outcomes and clearly communicate the findings.
• Provide clearly articulated reports and presentations within strict timeframes that communicate complex ideas and technical jargons into simple terms appropriate for the audience.
• Make recommendations about how the AGD obtains and analyses large scale data to improve the quality of the Department’s data overall.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively with senior management and other staff members of the AGD.
• Develop and maintain effective networks with contractors and industry colleagues.
• Communicate effectively with external stakeholders, suppliers and contractors through well-developed written communication and business cases.
• Resolve problems, challenges and other risks, adopting and adjusting to change and its processes.
• Set priorities, plan workloads, meet deadlines and achieve objectives through the efficient use of time and resources.
• Effectively implement business and operational plans.
• Liaise effectively with staff and key stakeholders across a diverse range of activities.

As Unit Head:

• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, directs and evaluates the unit's fiscal function and performance.

• Leads in the smooth and efficient operation of the unit through the management of daily operations.
• Establishes and implements systems for reporting of work done against stated and agreed work plans for the unit.
• Establishes internal control processes required to manage and grow the unit
• Meets or exceeds unit performance targets.
• Deputizes for the Director Human Resources Management and Development as and when required.

Human Resources Management:

• Plans, organizes and directs the work of the Unit by overseeing the development of performance targets for the unit and staff (Divisional Operation Plan) based on the Corporate Strategic Plan.
• Ensures that the unit’s staff have sufficient and appropriate physical resources to enable them to undertake their duties efficiently and effectively.
• Provides leadership and guidance through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring, coaching and disciplinary action.

• Participates in the recruitment of staff for the unit.
• Recommends transfer, promotion, termination and leave in accordance with established Human Resource Policies and Procedures.
• Identifies skills/competencies gaps and collaborates with the Manager Training and Development to develop and implement Staff Development and Succession Plans for the unit to ensure adequate staff capacity.
• Monitors job specific and environmental factors, implements and promotes health and safety policies; and mitigates and minimizes workplace hazards.
• Monitors the performance of unit staff and ensures effective and objective staff performance management, through timely and accurate completion of the staff appraisal process, including periodic reviews.
• Ensures the welfare of unit staff are clearly identified and addressed.

Any Other Duties

Any other related duty that may be assigned from time to time.

5.      Key Performance Indicators

The job is successfully performed when:

• Data warehouse management.
• Visualization tools built and deployed.
• Data quality metrics developed and maintained
• Advanced data analysis techniques used in data processing, evaluation and reporting.
• Recommendations for enhanced data management and analysis capabilities developed.
• Technical support for data-driven or data -related initiatives provided.
• Percentage of data with errors or inconsistencies tracked, identified and corrected.
• Data processed and analyzed in a timely manner
• Data integrated successfully and monitored
• Predicted values and actual outcomes compared and evaluated for accuracy
• Actionable insights generated
• Business Intelligence supported
• Data manipulation and analysis conducted
• Data analysis shared and used as required

 6.      Authority

• Make recommendations on process improvements, resource allocation and financial management based on data insights
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
• Access to confidential information.
• Extract meaningful insights based on the specific data and business needs
• Provide approval for leave and other staffing matters

7.      Contacts

Internal                                                                

External

8.      REQUIREMENTS for this Job:

 Minimum Qualification and Training

Essential:

• Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field (or a Bachelor's degree with significant experience).
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, or similar and familiarity with SQL for database querying.

Desirable:

• Proven experience with data wrangling, cleaning, and transformation techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and solve complex data-related challenges.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, or similar and familiarity with SQL for database querying.
• Experience with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) to create clear and impactful visualizations.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to present complex data insights to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Understanding of financial regulations and accounting principles is a strong asset.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and data quality.

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in a data analysis role, preferably within the financial services sector or a government agency.
• Experience in treasury or cash management within a government setting.

• Familiarity with government financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of economic and financial policy analysis.

9. Competencies

The incumbent is a senior public servant who represents the Government at all times;  a member of the Senior Executive team of the AGD, who is expected to participate in managing the Department, and to lead a team of professionals in realizing the goals and objectives of the Department, in a highly dynamic environment. The following competencies are required for the effective performance of this job:

Core Competencies

• Oral and Written Communication Skills
• Problem Solving and Analytical Skills
• Customer Focus
• Results Focus
• Integrity 

Technical Competencies

• Data Analytics
• Time Series Analysis
• Machine Learning
• Information Technology
• Accounting and Reporting
• Knowledge of Legislations, Policies and Procedures

 Managerial Competencies

• Leadership
• Performance Management
• Emotional Intelligence 

10.      SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

Physical Demands - Pressured working conditions with numerous critical deadlines.

Work Environment - Normal office conditions