The advance of the internet, social media and Artificial Intelligence, has contributed to inclusion, transparency and participation of citizens in governance, but also carries risks and challenges to the integrity of the information landscape with ramifications on the democratic processes. With hateful speech and related ethno-regional divisions increasing in the context of Sierra Leone, the UNDP is supporting a consortium of three credible organisations in Sierra Leone- the BBC Media Action Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Independent Radio Network (IRN) – to develop and implement a mechanism to identify, analyse and counter disinformation and hate speech through a platform called I-Verify.

I-Verify is a comprehensive support package developed by UNDP at global level, which has at its core an online monitoring and fact-checking platform, customizable to the country context with support of the UNDP Electoral Task Force based in Brussels. Beyond the customization of the IT mechanism, the roll-out of this activity will aim to strengthen the information ecosystem in Sierra Leone by building capacity of national stakeholders to address information integrity challenges and fostering media literacy of Sierra Leoneans. This will be done through targeted information campaigns and trainings. In addition, the project aims to facilitate coordination between those actors involved in identification and fact-checking and those best placed and mandated to respond.

As an IT mechanism, I-Verify is designed to receive messages from the general public to identify online and offline content requiring action, while automatically scraping the web/social media for problematic stories.

To provide support for its programmes aimed at countering disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech around Sierra Leone’s national elections slated for 24th June 2023, the UNDP and the Consortium of three are recruiting talented and passionate young individuals as Fact-Checkers. Candidates will be self-starters who possess knowledge about the digital space and excellent written and communication skills.

Candidates must be multi-taskers with a readiness to meet deadlines, given the time-bound feature of many fact-checks. Ideal candidates must possess the tenacity to consistently track disinformation and misinformation and provide the appropriate narratives to counter such content on and offline.

To be successful on this assignment, candidates will possess the capacity to:

• Spot disinformation and misinformation, hate speech, and respond quickly to same by drafting accurate fact-checks.

• Rapidly contact reliable and authoritative sources to confirm the accuracy of information, claims and counterclaims.

• Consistently beam the searchlight on regular and non-regular sources of misinformation.

• Competently deploy data-driven approaches, visualization techniques and relevant technical processes to aid the fact-checking operations.

• Draft weekly roundup of fact-checks.

Supervise fact-checkers to perform the following tasks:

• Ensure appropriate and rigorous systems are developed to guide the programme.

• Draft, review and validate fact-checks in line with set programme targets.

• Consistently track known sources of misinformation, including but not limited to political actors, ethnic agenda champions, and social influencers.

• Participate in the drafting and development of expanded programme reports on impact and mileage of fact checks.

• Supervise the content identification and verification process in a timely manner: upon reception in the iVerify system of content in any of the relevant input folders, the coordinator reviews to decide if the content is relevant and can be considered disinformation, misinformation or hate speech; assigns content to a fact-checker for verification; oversees archiving and proper use of the backend; and potentially interferes in the case of sensitive cases.

• Ensure quality of the reports, labelling and publishing: upon finalization of the drafting of the fact-checked report by the fact-checker, the Coordinator will assign a second fact-checker and conduct a final check to confirm the results and ensure the quality of the report including comprehensiveness and source accuracy, ensuring that all fields are properly filled in line with the style and methodology guide; labelling of the content and publishing on the website.

• Share content from the website on the relevant social media accounts.

• Ensure fact-checkers follow the verification steps as per the training provided and take active part in the training.

• Ensure knowledge management for system automatic features: update datasets of narratives, sensitive accounts and news sources, trusted sources, etc. in close partnership with the consortium members.

• Coordinate with the consortium members including the U-report system to facilitate identification, analysis and response to cases of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.

• Coordinate with relevant external stakeholder previously identified by the consortium, including social media platforms, to disseminate and share fact-checked reports; respond as per respective mandates and/or moderate content.

• Manages contact book to ensure there is a reactive point of contact in each partner institution and across the country. Ensure all relevant actors are included in the contact book to support broadcasting of counter-messages.

• Responsible for the documentation in the back-end of all referrals made and responses undertaken including counter messages broadcasted through radio and social media.

Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism; (Media Studies; Information Technology; Communication; Information Systems Management or equivalent).

Minimum three (3) years post-qualification working experience in a related field.

Experience in investigative journalism, feature writing and editorial leadership.

Experience with and knowledge of Content Management Systems and relevant technological skills will be an added advantage.

Nine (9) months.

Interested applicants should send CVs and Cover Letters to SLAJ Headquarters, 1st Floor, 56 Campbell Street, Freetown or via Email to slaj.salone@gmail.com on or before 25th February, 2023.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.