Application Deadline: May 7, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 Code for Africa (CfA) Western Africa Media Sentinel Fellowships. Code for Africa (CfA) is offering three Media Sentinel Fellowships to frontline grassroots researchers in Benin, Guinea, and Mauritania. Candidates should have expertise in social media listening and analysis, and possess a good knowledge of social media cross-platform coordination and messaging on platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter).
The 10-month part-time fellowships are part of a joint initiative between CfA and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) to strengthen information integrity by detecting, disrupting, and deplatforming malign actors in Africa.
The programme aims to protect inclusive democracy and human rights in the digital age by leveraging digital technologies, with an emphasis on countering disinformation and harmful narratives.
The successful candidates will work with CfA’s forensic investigations team, iLAB, to provide information that will guide the creation of early warning alerts for information manipulation. The Media Sentinels will provide information on coordinated inauthentic behaviour (CIB) and other information manipulation and interference (IMI) behaviour within their countries.
The successful candidates will work with CfA’s forensic investigations team, iLAB, to provide information that will guide the creation of early warning alerts for information manipulation. The Media Sentinels will provide information on coordinated inauthentic behaviour (CIB) and other information manipulation and interference (IMI) behaviour within their countries.
Requirements
The fellowships will enable individuals to use their social media and analytics skills in conjunction with CfA’s watchlists and lexicons, for proactive pre-grouping and communication of early warning signals for early detection of toxic online content.
Therefore, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- You must be non-partisan, without any link to government agencies, paramilitary organisations, political parties, state-affiliated media, or other bodies that might create the perception of partisanship in either national or local politics.
- You must be fluent in English or French.
- You must have access to a reliable personal laptop or computer with stable internet connectivity to participate in programme activities, online classes, and mentorship sessions.
- You must demonstrate an understanding of using social media platforms such as Facebook, Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, and X.
- You must be available for weekly one-hour virtual meetings.
Benefits
The fellowship package will consist of:
- Stipend: Fellows will receive a competitive monthly stipend depending on their influence as macro or nano influencers and experience in similar previous projects.
- Training and mentoring: CfA will provide the fellows with advanced training and mentoring in traditional and social media monitoring.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Code for Africa (CfA) Western Africa Media Sentinel Fellowships.
