Local Assistant to the Media & Social Media Expert - Media, Context & Qualitative Research

Local Assistant to the Media & Social Media Expert - Media, Context & Qualitative Research

DT Global is shaping a future where sustainable development and innovation empower individuals, communities, and nations. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries to solve complex problems in the peacebuilding, governance, economic development, environment, and human development sectors. With a track record of technical excellence and more than 60 years of international development experience and relationships, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives.

Purpose of the Assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Media & Social Media Expert, the assistant will support research, monitoring and analysis of the media and online electoral environment. This profile has a stronger focus on media context and qualitative research, while also contributing directly to social-media monitoring and evidence collection. The assistant will work closely with the Expert and the second assistant and will provide practical input to adapting the monitoring approach to the South African context.

Main responsibilities

• Research the South African media environment and political communication context, including relevant national, local and community media.
• Monitor selected traditional, digital, local and community media and follow relevant developments in selected municipal or local campaign environments.
• Identify significant stories, narratives, incidents and emerging issues and provide contextual and, where relevant, linguistic interpretation.
• Maintain relevant media, actor and account lists and collect source material, links, screenshots and other documentary evidence.
• Support stakeholder mapping and follow-up, retrieval of documents and evidence, and preparation of concise background or meeting notes where useful.
• Contribute to qualitative analysis and prepare short analytical summaries and inputs for mission briefings and reporting.
• Contribute, together with the second assistant, to routine social-media monitoring and targeted case or narrative investigations.
• Support practical testing and refinement of monitoring priorities and workflows in light of the South African context and the evidence available.
• Carry out other related research and monitoring tasks as required during the mission.

Candidate profile

• Relevant academic or professional background in media/communication studies, political science, information integrity, digital research or a related field.
• Strong research and analytical skills and a good understanding of South African politics, media or political communication.
• Ability to work independently once tasks and procedures have been agreed, while collaborating closely with the Expert and the other assistant.
• Initiative, reliability, attention to detail and willingness to combine analytical work with hands-on monitoring, verification and documentation.
• Experience with media monitoring, fact-checking, information-integrity work, digital research or similar activities would be an advantage.
• Excellent English. Knowledge of one or more additional South African languages and familiarity with particular provinces, metros or local media environments would be a significant advantage.
• Availability for an intensive short-term assignment beginning in early October 2026.

Please send your application to ***email_hidden***, before Monday October 5th. When applying, please submit CV in EU format.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.