Data Journalist at Code for Africa

About the Role:

As a Data Journalist at CfA, you will be part of our mission to revolutionise journalism across the continent. Working within our dynamic team, you can contribute to impactful investigations and collaborative projects. 

Your role will involve collaborating with our African Network of Centres for Investigative Reporting (ANCIR) member newsrooms on investigations into crooked politicians, organised crime, and corporate malpractice. You will leverage investigative skills to contribute to major investigations, utilising open-source intelligence, due diligence, and asset-tracking techniques. Working alongside seasoned digital forensic experts in iLAB across East, South, and West Africa.

As part of a multinational team within a growing organisation, you must be agile and thrive in a multicultural environment. You will need to work easily with people from different backgrounds who may speak different languages.

Responsibilities: 

Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Conduct investigative reporting, including researching, fact-checking, and gathering evidence related to assigned topics ranging from information manipulation, organised crime, and misinformation campaigns.
• Analyse datasets to identify relevant trends, patterns, and anomalies. Use analytical skills to extract meaningful insights that contribute to ongoing investigations and project development.
• Generate story ideas based on investigative findings and emerging trends. Pitch story concepts to editorial investigation teams. 
• Produce high-quality written content on a regular basis, including investigative reports, articles, and multimedia content. Ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to journalistic standards in all written materials.
• Collaborate with ANCIR member newsrooms, internal teams within iLAB, and external partners. Coordinate tasks, share insights, and contribute to collaborative projects that address information manipulation and promote transparency.
• Assist in managing the website content and publication schedules, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of investigative reports and other relevant content. 

Required: 

minimum requirements include:

• Candidates must have at least two years of investigative journalism experience and be able to analyse data sets and identify trends, patterns, and anomalies. This experience should demonstrate their ability to conduct thorough investigations into various topics, including crooked politicians, organised crime and mis/disinformation amplification.
• Candidates should understand influence operations, encompassing knowledge of disinformation and misinformation tactics, digital amplification strategies, and viral media techniques. This understanding is crucial for identifying and analysing manipulative tactics in the information landscape.
• Candidates should demonstrate excellent writing skills for creating clean and crisp content. 
• to convey investigative findings and insights effectively. Clear and concise communication is essential for collaboration with ANCIR member newsrooms and internal teams within iLAB.
• Meticulous attention to detail, with the ability to work with congeniality in a deadline-driven environment. This includes being able to prioritise multiple simultaneous tasks while at the same time engaging diplomatically and collaborating effectively with colleagues under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in collaborative work solutions such as Google Workplace, Slack and website management.  

Preferred: 

candidates who are able to demonstrate the following will have an advantage:

• In-depth knowledge about ‘information disorder’ and the differences between misinformation, disinformation and mal-information, as well as conspiracist content and hate speech. 
• Previous experience in online publishing, including social media platforms.
• Fluency in both French and English (spoken and written) is a plus within the diverse context of ANCIR’s operations across East, South, and West Africa.