pollicy-data-fellowship-program

Pollicy believes in the power of data to revolutionize how governments deliver services to their citizens. We aim to digitally transform government services across Africa through an information-centric approach and craft better life experiences by harnessing improved data.

There are major gaps within government and stakeholders in collecting data, analyzing this data and using this data within planning, budgeting and programming. By improving data processes, we can improve how services are delivered, how budgets are allocated, how citizens interact with governments and how organizations advocate for social change.

Data Fellow Role (Two Positions)

Pollicy’s fellowship program aims to introduce students and young professionals to civic technology initiatives, while enabling these fellows to utilize their data skills to add to the knowledge base of this field. The 3-month fellowship will include opportunities to meet with civic technology innovators, to conduct exploratory research on topics related to using civic technology for improved government services and to bolster their capacity in using data. Fellows are expected to use their time to develop a final body of research, multimedia products, blog posts and curricula, finally culminating in a presentation of their work to the civic technology community.

Pollicy is seeking two Data Fellow in Uganda to support our research team and our data training program. We are looking for dynamic, flexible and creative fellows to assist our Research and Data Leads. You will have the opportunity to develop your technical skills and explore your leadership potential in shaping the data ecosystem in East Africa.

Tasks

• Participate in conceptualizing and writing project and research proposals relevant to the work at Pollicy
• Contribute to development of research tools
• Conduct desk research and literature reviews
• Data collection, entry and analysis both quantitative and qualitative.
• Write reports on fieldwork and study findings
• Participate in publication of study findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Take part in dissemination of study findings at different avenues, including conferences and workshops
• Participate in program development, including event planning and training support
• Undertake any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

PesaCheck Fellow Role

Together with Code for Africa, Pollicy is seeking a fellow to produce a series of online posts to explain important public finance or statistical issues for lay-people, which will be syndicated into mainstream Ugandan media, and social media, and shall be made freely available for reuse by civic society and other interested parties under an appropriate Creative Commons license.

The PesaCheck Fellowship will focus on fact-checking claims on budget and public finance made by Ugandan public figures and reported by the media in Uganda in a manner that will improve reporting and public discourse on these issues and encourage public participation.

The Fellow will deliver two substantive fact-checked articles per month developed in consultation with the managing editor. The blog themes, content and other resources shall be developed by the Fellow, in consultation with Pollicy in Uganda, to help drive fact checking adoption in the media & social justice CSO space.

The Fellow will furthermore work with Code for Africa and Pollicy to champion PesaCheck’s fact checking and similar skills initiatives, including mentoring and support for 3rd party events / initiatives. The intention is to nurture fact checking, enhance citizens’ and media’s understanding of budget and public finance issues.

Tasks

• Deliver two substantive fact-checked articles per month
• Produce tip-sheets, guidelines and other resources to help public pundits, the media and civic commentators adopt the techniques and standards advocated by PesaCheck.
• Speak at public events and teach skills at workshops, to share insights gleaned from the project and to advocate for the adoption of techniques and standards developed by the project.

Who should apply?

• Pollicy is looking for students or early-career professionals interested in working on civic technology issues pertinent to sub-saharan Africa.
• The fellowship is only open to Ugandans and will take place in Kampala, Uganda.

Some of the things we’re interested in:

• Prior experience with data collection, analysis or visualization
• Interest in using open data to craft stories
• Desire to learn new tools and methods for research purposes
• Passionate about civic engagement, service delivery and accountability

Compensation

Pollicy will provide a work space, modest stipend and active mentoring for the duration of the fellowship.