Africa Check is a non-profit organisation set up in 2012 to promote accuracy in public debate and the media in Africa. The goal of Africa Check’s work is to raise the quality of information available to society across the continent. Since 2012 they have fact-checked hundreds of claims on topics from crime and race in South Africa to population numbers in Nigeria and fake health cures in countries around Africa.

Based in the Journalism Department of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg,
Africa Check seeks to appoint a

Impact Researcher (Full-time)

The Impact Researcher has a dual function: to track and analyse the circulation in online and public debate of the false and misleading claims identified by Africa Check’s fact-checking team; and, in liaison with the Impact Manager and the fact-checking team, engaging public figures and institutions who make the claims to seek a correction and a change in practice. The position, which reports to the Impact Manager, requires: a good understanding of and interest in public information and misinformation, good research and analytical skills and a firm but diplomatic approach to public affairs. Work will be carried out according to a regularly updated annual work-plan

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Tracking and analysing the circulation in online and public debate of false and misleading claims identified by our fact-checking team, and reporting back on this.
• Producing reports showing this research and analysing the impact fact-checking interventions have on the circulation of this misinformation.
• Producing case studies of the impact of cases of socially-harmful misinformation.
• Identifying the key sources promoting the socially-harmful misinformation and engaging with them to seek a correction and commitment to accuracy in future.
• Represent Africa Check on its principles, methodology and the work it does in public engagements.
• Assisting the Impact Manager in the wider work of impact research and reporting as required.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in the social sciences.
• A minimum of 3 years’ research experience, with strong data analysis skills, preferably in a policy environment. Experience in impact research would be an advantage.
• An enthusiasm for and understanding of the work of fact-checking, and curiosity and an interest in learning about a wide range of topics.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to be challenging in a diplomatic manner.
• Ability to take initiative and responsibility for your work, and to solve problems
• Ability to work with a diverse team across the continent
• Knowledge of &/or willingness to learn French an advantage

Interested candidates should carefully read the requirements below (attention to detail is considered a job requirement) and submit a recent CV together with the names of two referees).

Submit your application on email: info@africacheck.org using the following subject line: “Application for Impact Researcher position”

Closing date: Monday 20 March 2019