We are a leading tech consulting firm seeking an experienced Intermediate Test Analyst to join our Cape Town-based team on an initial 6-month contract. You’ll be working with a prominent client in the financial services (asset management) space, contributing to the delivery of high-quality, reliable solutions in a fast-paced, Agile environment. This role requires a hands-on tester with strong analytical capability and advanced SQL skills to support deep back-end validation and data integrity testing. What you'll do: Designing and executing functional test cases based on business requirements Building, maintaining, and optimising regression test packs Performing manual testing across key phases including:System Integration Testing (SIT) User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Regression & Smoke Testing Identifying, logging, and tracking defects using Jira Investigating and validating fixes for production incidents and defects Conducting extensive back-end testing using SQL (Oracle / SQL Server) to validate data accuracy, transformations, and integrations Writing and executing complex SQL queries to support test scenarios and defect analysis Performing API testing using tools such as Postman or SOAP UI Applying risk-based testing approaches to prioritise critical areas Collaborating closely with developers, business analysts, and stakeholders Actively contributing to Agile ceremonies (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) Your Expertise: Proven experience in manual testing within Agile environments Very strong SQL skills (essential) — including the ability to write complex queries for data validation, troubleshooting, and back-end testing Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) Experience with test management tools such as:Quality Center (QC), ALM, Azure DevOps, or XRay Experience in API testing Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent communication and collaboration abilities Qualifications: Matric (required) ISTQB Certification (required) Relevant IT qualification (degree or diploma) Nice to Have Experience in the financial services / asset management sector Exposure to mobile testing (manual or Appium-based automation) Familiarity with modern testing practices and tools