Johannesburg North: Quantitative Analyst posted by Network Finance

About the Role

Network Finance is seeking a Quantitative Analyst to join their team in Johannesburg North. As a key member of the advanced analytics and model risk management team, you will be responsible for validating and assessing machine learning models across various applications, including credit risk modelling, customer behaviour and propensity models, and fraud detection and AML (financial crime) models.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently validate and assess machine learning models across:
• Credit risk modelling
• Customer behaviour and propensity models
• Fraud detection and AML (financial crime) models

• Work hands-on with advanced ML techniques, including:
• Ensemble methods (XGBoost, CatBoost, Random Forest)
• Neural networks
• Clustering and anomaly detection models

• Manage the full model lifecycle:
• Data preparation and feature engineering
• Model development, evaluation, and optimisation
• Deployment support and performance monitoring

• Build and review models in Python-based environments using large, complex datasets

• Partner with Risk, Technology, and Business teams to ensure models are robust, scalable, and production-ready

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior analysts and data scientists

• Ensure compliance with model governance, validation standards, and risk frameworks

Requirements

• 6–8+ years’ experience in quantitative analytics, data science, or machine learning
• Strong end-to-end model development experience in Python
• Advanced knowledge of SQL and large-scale data handling
• Proven experience with:
• Boosting algorithms (XGBoost, CatBoost)
• Neural networks
• Clustering and anomaly detection

Qualifications

No formal education or certifications mentioned.

Salary & Benefits

Salary information not provided in the original job description.

Why This Opportunity?

• Work on real-world, high-impact models used across the business
• Exposure to a wide range of modelling applications (not siloed work)
• Strong mentorship from senior quantitative leaders
• A culture that values ownership, simplicity, and innovation
• Long-term career growth in a rapidly scaling analytics environment

Requirements

Clear credit and criminal record.

Bonus Experience (Highly Valued)

Experience leading or mentoring ML teams, exposure to regulated financial environments, cloud-based model deployment experience, credit scoring, IFRS-related analytics, or scorecard modelling.