Regulatory Economist and Data Lead

takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, is looking for a highly accomplished Head: Public Policy to join our Corporate Affairs team in Cape Town.

We are a young, dynamic, hyper-growth company looking for smart, creative, hard-working people with integrity to join us. We offer a market-related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs, a great work environment and a promise that you won’t be bored as long as you are prepared for a challenge and want to build something great.

This position reports to the Group Executive: Public Policy & External Affairs

Role Purpose

The Regulatory Economist and Data Lead is responsible for transforming Takealot Group’s extensive operational and commercial data into credible policy evidence. The role ensures that all public policy positions are underpinned by robust quantitative analysis, allowing the Group to strengthen its proof points in engagements with government, regulators, Parliamentarian, and the media.

This role sits at the intersection of data science, economics, and public policy, converting internal “big data” into externally persuasive narratives that withstand scrutiny from regulators, economists, and civil society.

Strategic Accountabilities

Economic Impact Modelling & Quantification

Design, build, and maintain dynamic economic impact models that quantify Takealot Group’s contribution, but not limited, to:

• SME growth and marketplace seller revenues.
• Driver and courier earnings, cost structures, and net take-home pay.
• Regional and last-mile logistics infrastructure investment.
• Tax contributions, including VAT, customs duties, and indirect fiscal impacts

Ensure models are:

• Methodologically sound and replicable.
• Regularly updated with live or near-real-time data.
• Able to produce scenario analysis for policy “what-if” questions.

Translate outputs into regulator-ready metrics that align with government policy priorities (jobs, inclusion, growth, industrialisation).

Horizon Scanning, Monitoring & Early Warning

Conduct daily monitoring of:

• Government Gazette notices and draft regulations.
• Hansard (Parliamentary debates, questions, committee discussions).
• Political and economic commentary relevant to digital markets, labour, logistics, and trade.

Deploy AI-enabled monitoring tools to systematically flag emerging references to:

• E-commerce and digital platforms
• Gig and platform work
• Postal services, logistics, and last-mile delivery
• Digital taxation, customs, and cross-border trade

Synthesize signals into Early Warning Alerts, highlighting:

• Direction of regulatory intent
• Likely policy timelines
• Data gaps that need urgent modelling or research

Competitive & Comparative Policy Intelligence

• Track and analyse regulatory and policy developments affecting the platform economy, in South Africa or comparable markets.
• Monitor international regulatory frameworks and case law (e.g. EU Digital Markets Act, platform labour rulings, OECD digital tax discussions).
• Identify global precedents and data points that can be adapted to strengthen Takealot’s local policy positions.
• Provide comparative benchmarking to support submissions, briefing notes, and stakeholder engagements.

Fact-Sheet & Evidence Pack Production

Build and maintain a central Policy Statistics Library, consisting of:

• Pre-approved data points
• Executive-ready charts and infographics
• One-page “leave-behind” factsheets for Ministerial, Parliamentary, and media engagements

Ensure all outputs are:

• Internally consistent and quality-assured.
• Clearly sourced and methodologically transparent.
• Tailored to non-technical audiences without loss of credibility.

Refresh core factsheets regularly to reflect updated data and evolving policy narratives.

Targeted Research & Deep-Dive Analysis

Conduct structured research on specific policy questions as required, such as:

• The impact of fuel levy increases on gig worker earnings
• Employment elasticity under different regulatory scenarios
• Cost-pass-through effects of customs or VAT changes on consumer prices

Support the division in preparing:

• Regulatory submissions.
• Parliamentary briefing notes.
• External consultant terms of reference.

Where appropriate, collaborate with external economists and research institutions to validate assumptions or methodologies.

Data Governance, Credibility & Risk Management

Ensure that all externally used data is:

• Accurate, up to date, and internally auditable
• Cleared for public use in coordination with Legal and Risk

Maintain documentation of assumptions, methodologies, and data sources to defend against challenge or rebuttal.

Act as the department’s first line of defence against reputational risk arising from data misuse or misinterpretation.

Requirements:

• Honour’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or related quantitative field
• Masters qualification in Economics or Public Policy (advantageous)

Experience:

• 3–5 years’ experience in:
• Economic consulting.
• Data analytics in a policy-relevant environment.
• Research units within banks, think tanks, or regulatory institutions.
•  Exposure to South African public policy or regulatory processes is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Advanced SQL and Excel modelling
• Data visualisation (Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent)
• Strong grounding in South African macroeconomic and fiscal frameworks
• Ability to work with large, imperfect datasets

Behavioural & Professional Attributes

• High analytical curiosity and attention to detail
• Comfortable working under time pressure and ambiguity
• Strong ethical judgment and respect for data integrity
• Ability to translate complex analysis into simple, persuasive insights

The Environment:

• We laugh hard, work harder, and take full ownership of our wins (and learning moments!)
• Teamwork makes the dream work – we're solution-seekers who thrive on collaboration
• Got feedback? Bring it on! We're always hungry for fresh ideas and honest input 🔄
• Ego? We checked that at the door. Results? Now we're talking!

If you meet the above you are an Extraordinary Mind so come and join us!

Takealot Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from the previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities, to apply.