Data Systems, Quality&Governance Specialist, Johannesburg

Data Systems, Quality&Governance Specialist Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 09/30/2025

SmartStart is a successful national network of NGOs and partners that is realising quality, affordable early learning for all children aged three to five. We are achieving this by scaling a network of and building a platform for providers, achieving specific ecosystem transformations with governments and partners, and promoting early learning as a priority societal cause.

Job Description Key Responsibilities Data Governance and Quality Assurance

Design, operationalise and oversee the data governance function within the organisation.

Enable and support data governance processes, including data availability, accessibility, integrity, quality (including accuracy, consistency, and reliability), usability, security, and compliance (in collaboration with IT and legal teams).

Assist with regular data cleaning and quality checks to ensure high data integrity.

Develop and maintain documentation, SOPs, and metadata to support consistent and high-quality data management.

Design data quality dashboards and set up regular monitoring and review alerts.

Work within the organisation to enhance data literacy, improve existing data processes and workflows and support future data process design and development.

Work across teams to roll out data quality improvement plans, design processes to collect missing data or improve data accuracy.

Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to improve data practices, including onboarding sessions, governance workshops, and learning events.

Conduct assessments of key data assets and identify potential risks or gaps, including data process mapping.

Coordinate and lead data governance efforts, including defining data ownership, steward roles, and accountability structures across operational teams.

Support product stewardship for key data platforms, ensuring alignment between data processes, user needs, and platform functionality.

Lead or support change management processes for data tools and structures, ensuring stakeholder alignment and minimising disruption.

Monitor data hygiene and elevate discrepancies to the relevant team members.

Data Analysis and Insights Generation

Conduct data analysis to support strategic decision-making and programme improvements.

Respond to data requests from programme teams and leadership.

Identify patterns and trends in data and provide clear summaries for different audiences.

Support the preparation of data insights briefs and reports.

Create, enhance and support the use of interactive dashboards and analytics tools to improve data-driven decision-making across the organisation and network.

Supporting Organisational Learning and Adaptive Strategy

Assist with enabling teams to leverage insights for learning and programme improvement.

Contribute to rapid experimentation by supporting data collection and analysis processes.

Support the delivery of basic data literacy training across the organisation to improve data engagement and interpretation.

Support teams to improve data capturing, quality assurance and related processes.

Translate data insights into accessible formats for programme teams and leadership.

Research and Evaluation Support

Support the Senior Data Analyst and Research team with research design, data analysis, and interpretation.

Assist in co-conceptualising and co-creating research and evaluation questions, studies, and terms of reference.

Provide input into research reports and recommendations.

Requirements Essential Skills and Experience

A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Social Sciences, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field.

At least 6-8 years of experience in data analysis, data management or a related field, including experience where you have had ownership over the data process, and demonstrable leadership experience.

Strong quantitative and analytical skills.

A curious approach to technology, with interest and experience working across multiple tools to solve organisational challenges.

Excellent knowledge of and ability to work with SQL databases.

Experience with data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).

Ability to summarise data insights and communicate findings to non-technical audiences.

Experience in managing and working with large datasets.

Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Knowledge of statistical principles, especially relating to designing and running randomised control trials.

Experience working in a social impact or nonprofit context.

Proficiency in Excel and at least one statistical tool (e.g., Stata, R, SPSS).

Familiarity with survey software (e.g., SurveyCTO), CRMs (Microsoft Dynamics), and Azure.

Basic knowledge of data process mapping and workflow optimisation.

Knowledge of automation using code and/or workflow tools (Make.com, Zapier, PowerAutomate, etc.).

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