Operations & Tech Graduate Analyst

Prescient is a diversified, global financial services group with a track record of over two decades of providing solutions to our clients in Asset Management, Investment Administration and Platform Services, Retirement Solutions and Stockbroking. Prescient is headquartered in South Africa, with operations in Ireland, United Kingdom, China and Jersey. Our core client-centric philosophy, approach and process combined with maintaining a strong entrepreneurial spirit and ensuring we continue to be competitive has resulted in substantial growth of the business and meeting our objective to be a participant of scale in the markets we operate. This approach enables our clients to innovate and grow with us. Purpose of role: This is an exciting opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career professional to launch a career in financial markets. The role combines traditional settlements responsibilities with a strong focus on technology, data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence. You will gain exposure to the full trade lifecycle while helping the business identify smarter ways of working through data-driven insights, process improvement, and digital innovation. The successful candidate will be naturally curious, highly analytical, technologically savvy, and passionate about leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency. Duties and responsibilities: Settlement Operations & Trade Support Assist with the settlement of Equities, Bonds and Derivatives transactions in accordance with JSE Rules, Directives, and internal procedures. Monitor settlement activity and assist in investigating and resolving settlement exceptions, breaks, and failed trades. Perform daily cash and securities reconciliations and escalate discrepancies promptly. Liaise with custodians, banks, counterparties, and internal stakeholders to support seamless transaction processing. Maintain accurate settlement records and supporting documentation. Develop an understanding of the end-to-end trade lifecycle, including trade execution, allocation, confirmation, settlement, and reconciliation. Data Analytics, Automation & AI Innovation Use data analytics to identify trends, exceptions, and opportunities for operational improvements. Assist in building dashboards, reports, and management information using Power BI, Excel, Power Query, or similar tools. Use emerging technologies responsibly to improve productivity and reduce manual processing across Operations. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and digital transformation projects. Systems & Technology Support Assist with monitoring operational and trading systems. Support troubleshooting of system-related issues and escalate problems where required. Conduct daily system checks and assist in ensuring operational readiness. Maintain process documentation, user guides, and knowledge-sharing materials. Collaborate with technology and operations teams to test new functionality and enhancements. Compliance, Controls & Risk Management Complete all required compliance, AML/CFT, and regulatory training. Support the maintenance of strong operational controls and risk management practices. Assist with audit requests by gathering and preparing supporting documentation. Ensure records are accurate, complete, and maintained according to regulatory requirements. Support client onboarding and operational due diligence activities where required. Projects & Change Initiatives Participate in business improvement projects, system implementations, and process enhancements. Support user acceptance testing (UAT), data validation, and operational readiness activities. Contribute ideas to improve operational processes, reporting, and client experience. Assist in documenting workflows and recommending more efficient ways of working. Required qualifications and experience: A completed bachelor's degree, Diploma in Finance, Investment Management, Financial Markets, Accounting, Economics, Data Analytics, Information Systems, Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field. 0-2 years' experience within financial services, investment operations, data analytics, fintech, or a related environment. Demonstrated interest in financial markets and the investment industry, supported by a strong academic track record. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyse and manipulate data effectively. Advantageous: Internship, vacation work, or project exposure within financial services, asset management, stockbroking, fintech, or investment operations. Exposure to financial markets, investment products, or settlements through studies, projects, or work experience. Familiarity with Power BI, Power Query, SQL, Python, Power Automate, VBA, Copilot, ChatGPT, or other AI tools. Progress toward JSE, RPE, CFA, or similar industry qualifications including the following exams: Introduction to Financial Markets RPE - SAIFM JSE Equity Compliance Officer Exam JSE Equity Settlement Officer Exam Key competencies: Quick to learn and adapt to new systems, technologies, and ways of working. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across stakeholder groups. Highly organised, adaptable, and resilient, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proactive, curious, and solutions-oriented, with a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development. High levels of accuracy, accountability, and attention to controls, governance, and regulatory compliance. Ability to work effectively across multiple systems, datasets, and business areas within a collaborative team environment. Strong digital, technology, and AI fluency, with a passion for innovation, automation, and continuous improvement. Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach and keen attention to detail. Ability to analyse complex information, identify trends and exceptions, and drive process improvements.