News Editor at Code for Africa (CfA), Kampala, Uganda

Code for Africa (CfA)

Full time Job

Media & Communications

Kampala,Uganda

Date Posted: August 30, 2024

Application deadline:

September 20, 2024 5:00pm

Job description

As News Editor, you will be responsible for a team of multilingual researchers/fact-checkers across 18 African countries who debunk misinformation on social and traditional media platforms for an international audience. The team works in a fast-paced virtual newsroom, applying global editorial verification/fact-checking standards to hard-hitting issues ranging from complex conflict situations in countries as diverse as Ethiopia and Mali, to conspiracist anti-vaxx or health claims, and extremist hate speech or election related political claims.

Candidates must have demonstrable experience managing a mainstream newsdesk, with proven success working on editorial initiatives that consistently produce high-quality and impactful content on tight deadlines. The News Editor’s primary international language will be English, with additional proficiency in Amharic, Arabic, French and/or Kiswahili being an advantage.

PesaCheck is the continent’s largest indigenous fact-checking initiative by geographic coverage, with teams in 18 African countries. It researches and debunks misinformation published both online and elsewhere in more traditional media, publishing over 2,000 fact-checks per year, in partnership with major platforms ranging from Facebook and TikTok, to traditional media. PesaCheck also tracks promises by public officials and shines a light on public finances to ensure the public is not misled. PesaCheck is part of CfA, which is Africa’s largest non-profit digital/data journalism initiative.

The successful candidates will work as part of a multinational and multilingual team using digital collaboration tools to create content for a global audience and international media partners.

The successful candidate will be responsible for PesaCheck’s main newsdesk, supported by a Deputy News Editor and two Assistants News Editors, who collectively manage a team of ~25 multilingual journalists. The News Editor reports to PesaCheck’s Managing Editor.

Required: minimum requirements include:

5+ years demonstrable newsdesk editorial management experience, including managing teams of journalists in a mainstream media or equivalent digital publishing environment.Demonstrable understanding of the step-by-step production process for creating well researched and substantiated news reports, including familiarity with editorial diaries/schedules, editorial workflow, and content assignment/deadline management.Meticulous attention to detail, with the ability to work with congeniality in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment. This includes being an organisational whiz who is able to prioritise multiple simultaneous tasks, while at the same time having the people skills needed to engage diplomatically and collaborate effectively with colleagues under tight deadlines.Robust critical thinking, and strong research and investigative skills, with good general knowledge and interest in current affairs.Proven track-record for creative problem solving in fast-paced impact-driven environments, where solutions involve balancing human and production considerations.Demonstrable ability to self-manage, creating your own as well as wider team timelines and milestones with clear systems/processes.Proficiency in collaborative work solutions such as Google Workplace (Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, etc.), Slack (or equivalents such as Teams), and project management tools like Trello (or equivalents).

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

Previous experience in a fact-checking or editorial verification newsroom.In-depth knowledge about ‘information disorder’ and the differences between misinformation and disinformation and mal-information, as well as conspiracist content and hate speech.Working knowledge of French, and/or Arabic, in addition to the African languages within PesaCheck’s 18-country focus area.

Language and Location Requirements:

Location: Anywhere in Africa.Languages: English required (French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Amharic helpful)

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