Call for Application: Fact-Checker Specialists (5 Positions) at the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), Ethiopia

The Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) is a board-led, non-profit, non-governmental civil society organization registered under the Authority for Civil Society Organizations with registry number 4307, in accordance with the Civil Societies Law 1113/2019. CARD acquired its legal personality on 24 July 2019. CARD aspires to see Ethiopia as a country where human rights are respected and democratic culture flourishes. Since its establishment, CARD has been working to advance a conducive civic, media, and digital space for the promotion of human rights and democratic values in Ethiopia.

CARD is implementing the iVerify platform, a national fact-checking initiative designed to strengthen information integrity, particularly in the context of the upcoming national election. In collaboration with NEBE and support from UNDP, the project aims to strengthen accurate information during the election period by identifying, checking, and responding to misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.

To effectively implement this initiative at a national level, CARD seeks to recruit fact-checkers who will support the identification, monitoring, and reporting of misleading or harmful contents related to the election across different regions of Ethiopia.

About the Role

This is an opportunity to join CARD and contribute to promoting accurate and reliable information in Ethiopia. The role involves working closely with CARD’s team to monitor social media and other information platforms, analyze election-related narratives, report suspicious content, and contribute to evidence-based verification.

Position

• Senior Fact-Checking & Verification Lead (1)
• Fact-Checking Officers (4)

Duration:

• Lead Fact-Checker Specialist: one (1) year, with a possible extension depending on the availability of funds.
• Fact-Checker Officers: contractual term of six (6) months per officer.

Responsibilities

• Monitor social media platforms (Facebook, X, Telegram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.) for election-related conversations
• Identify and report misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech related to electoral processes
• Track emerging narratives and trends that may affect public understanding of the election
• Prepare and submit reports using standardized formats
• Support verification processes through research and contextual analysis
• Work collaboratively with the CARD team to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Follow ethical, neutral, and conflict-sensitive reporting principles

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communication, Political Science, Law, IT, or related social science fields (female applicants are highly encouraged to apply)
• Language Proficiency Requirement:
• Lead Fact-Checker Specialist (1): Fluency in Amharic and excellent proficiency in English. Knowledge of other local languages is advantageous.
• Fact-Checker Officers (4):
  1. One (1) officer: Fluency in Afan Oromo and excellent English.
     • Knowledge of other local languages is advantageous.
  2. One (1) officer: Fluency in Amharic and excellent English
     • Knowledge of other local languages is advantageous.
  3. Two (2) officers: Fluency in either Af-Soomaali / Sidaamu Afoo / Wolayitta / Gurage / Qafaraf and excellent English
     • Knowledge of other local languages is advantageous.
• Experience Requirement:
  • For Lead Fact-Checker Specialist (Minimum): At least two (2) years of relevant experience in fact-checking, research, journalism, or related fields.
  • For Fact-Checker Officers (Minimum): At least one (1) year of relevant experience in fact-checking, research, journalism, or related fields.
• Other requirements:
  • Strong digital literacy and familiarity with social media platforms and monitoring tools
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify patterns and trends in online data.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends and patterns
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Interest in elections, human rights, democracy and Ethiopian sociopolitical developments
  • Experience in media monitoring, research, or fact-checking is an asset