Code for Africa (CfA) is offering an exciting opportunity for grassroots researchers in Benin, Guinea, and Mauritania to join their team as Media Sentinel Fellows.
This initiative is designed for individuals with expertise in social media listening and analysis, especially those familiar with platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and X (formerly Twitter).
If you’re passionate about defending democracy in the digital age, this might be the perfect role for you.
What’s the Program About?
The Media Sentinel Fellowships are a key part of a collaborative project between CfA and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD).
This 10-month, part-time program focuses on strengthening information integrity across Africa by detecting and countering harmful disinformation.
Fellows will be tasked with identifying and disrupting coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB) and other forms of information manipulation (IMI).
Through this fellowship, CfA aims to support inclusive democracy and human rights by tackling harmful digital narratives that threaten these principles.
Fellows will work closely with CfA’s forensic investigations team, iLAB, to help build early warning systems for misinformation that could impact their communities.
Who Can Apply?
If you meet the following criteria, you could be a great fit for this fellowship:
- You must be non-partisan and have no affiliation with government agencies, political parties, paramilitary groups, or state-controlled media. This ensures impartiality in your research.
- You need to be fluent in either English or French to effectively engage in the program’s activities and communication.
- You should have access to a reliable laptop or computer with stable internet connectivity to participate in online training, meetings, and mentorship sessions.
- A strong understanding of social media platforms, including Facebook, Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, and X, is essential.
- Availability for weekly one-hour virtual meetings is required to stay engaged with the program’s activities.
What’s in It for You?
If you’re selected, you’ll receive a comprehensive fellowship package that includes:
Competitive Stipend
Fellows will be compensated with a competitive monthly stipend, which varies depending on your experience and influence as either a macro or nano influencer.
The stipend is meant to support you while you contribute to this critical initiative.
Advanced Training and Mentorship
Along with the stipend, you’ll receive high-level training and mentorship from CfA’s experts in both traditional and social media monitoring.
This will enhance your skills and help you better understand the digital landscape, making you a key player in promoting information integrity.
Application Deadline
Don’t miss out! The deadline to apply for the Media Sentinel Fellowship is May 7, 2025.
If you’re passionate about fighting disinformation and want to make a real impact on democracy and human rights in Africa, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Ready to apply? Click HERE to start your application now!