Africa Data Hub (ADH) is, at its core, a data platform that exists to lower the barriers that African journalists face in trying to access and use data in their storytelling around health and development. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an initial surge in health journalism as newsrooms rushed to cover the crisis worldwide. However, we realised that media outlets struggle to find a source of reliable real-time data, especially when it comes to Sub-Saharan Africa. Data offers a unique opportunity for journalists to report with accuracy and nuance and can provide the perfect mechanism for unearthing new story ideas, offering alternative angles to existing narratives, or presenting examples of trends and outliers that may be otherwise missed. However, access to data on the continent and the considerable resource and skills constraints faced by local journalists hinder the prospects of data-driven and gender-sensitive reporting from becoming standard practice. In response to these challenges, the Africa Data Hub (ADH) was launched in September 2020. ADH is spearheaded by a collective of data organisations operating across three African countries that work together to provide local journalists with verified accurate up-to-date data, tools, training, mentoring and support to tell the stories that matter with the data they need. We believe that access to quality data not only has the potential to challenge power and the status quo, but also to have a direct impact in addressing vulnerability, inequity and exclusion.
Open Cities Lab (OCL) is looking for a senior Product Owner for this project. We expect the product owner to bridge the gap between product strategy and development. We would like the Product Owner to own the process of identifying and leading the creation of products needed to roll-out and expand the value of Africa Data Hub for users through the design of necessary tools and resources; engage newsrooms, data partners and other users to test and refine the ideas and analyse insights to drive development of the ADH’s various products further; and provide ongoing support to the Project Lead to build the Africa Data Hub platform out as a critical source of valuable information and tools for African journalists. Journalism and media experience is highly desirable. Data analytical skills are also highly desirable.
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