Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) Business Data Steward Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) has a permanent, full-time vacancy for a Business Data Steward. This vital role is based at the GEMS Head Office in Pretoria and forms part of the Research and Development Division.

The Business Data Steward will report directly to the Senior Manager: Data Analytics. This position is central to ensuring effective data management, governance, and compliance within the Scheme.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum Qualification: A Degree in Business Analysis, Data Management, Economics, Accounting, Operations, Administration, Information Systems, or Engineering.
• Preferred Qualification: A Business Analysis or Data Management certification, or an Honours degree in any of the fields listed above.
• Experience:
• At least 5 years’ experience in business analysis, data management, or analytics within the financial services industry.
• A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience as a Data Management Analyst, Governance Analyst, Data Steward, or a similar role.
• At least 2 years’ experience in the Medical Scheme industry is an added advantage.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, and QlikView or Tableau is an added advantage.
• Proficiency with data profiling, data lineage, and metadata management tools.
• Skills:
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Diligent work ethic with strong attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to provide advice and engage with various stakeholders.
• Understanding of health policy.

Key Responsibilities

The Business Data Steward will be responsible for a range of functions within the Research and Development Division, including:

• Partnering with business data owners to promote the adoption of data governance best practices and foster a data-centric culture.
• Developing a deep understanding of the Scheme’s data in line with the Data Management and Analytics Strategy.
• Identifying, documenting, and implementing data requirements and specifications, collaborating with ICT for successful implementation.
• Developing and implementing procedures for effective data management, covering data quality, metadata, reference, and master data.
• Establishing and managing processes for data issues and queries in line with data quality standards.
• Ensuring data security and compliance with applicable policies, POPIA, and regulations, and managing data requests according to standard operating procedures.
• Conducting regular data profiling, audits, and lineage assessments to identify quality gaps, monitoring Data Quality KPIs, and driving remediation efforts.
• Developing monitoring reports and dashboards to track the implementation and effectiveness of data management recommendations.
• Developing and maintaining technical guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and documentation for data governance, analytics, and utilisation.
• Consulting with technical, operational, and coding stakeholders to enhance data availability, quality, usage tools, and methodologies.
• Providing training, support, and guidance to business data owners and relevant staff on data governance policies and best practices.
• Developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with multidisciplinary teams, including business data owners and ICT, and facilitating operational Service Level Agreements.
• Participating in data management forums and committees to drive continuous data governance efficacy.
• Managing data governance processes for internal and external research projects to ensure policy and regulatory compliance.

What the Work Involves

As a Business Data Steward at GEMS, you will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and compliance of the Scheme’s data. Your day-to-day work will involve close collaboration with both business data owners and ICT teams to implement and monitor data governance best practices. You will be responsible for developing detailed procedures for data management, documenting key data requirements, and actively conducting audits and assessments to ensure data quality.

The role requires a proactive approach to identifying data gaps, driving remediation efforts, and continuously monitoring data quality indicators. You will also develop reports and dashboards to track progress and provide training and support to colleagues on data governance policies. This position is based in a professional office environment at the GEMS Head Office in Pretoria, within the dynamic Research and Development Division.

How to Apply

Applications for the Business Data Steward vacancy at GEMS must be submitted by Monday, 14 September 2026.

To apply, please use the following link: https://www.pnet.co.za/job/1971e75b-3ca9-4fe5-bb7c-cb73e70b9338/application/authentication?locale=en_ZA