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Data Journalist (Data-Driven Research and PR)

Somewhere Agency Marketing & Content

We are hiring a Data Journalist to produce original, data-driven research pieces published across major media outlets as part of a PR and SEO strategy. This remote role requires an AI-first mindset, self-direction, and strong storytelling skills to turn complex datasets into compelling, consumer-facing stories.

Can a South African apply?

This posting names South Africa itself. Here is the line, exactly as it appears on the employer’s own page:

Regions: South Africa or LATAM

Quoted from the posting when we last checked it on 2026-09-15. Employers change eligibility without notice — the employer’s page is the authority, not this one.

What it pays

Not published. This posting states no figure, and we do not estimate one. Ask during the first conversation.

The full posting

Reproduced from the employer’s own listing, unedited.

Read the posting in full · 703 words

Job TitleData Journalist (Data-Driven Research and PR)

LocationRemote

RegionsSouth Africa or LATAM

Employment TypeContract or Full-Time

Candidate Profile Focus & Core Criteria

  • AI-First Mindset: High proficiency using AI tools across the entire workflow, including research, dataset collection, web scraping, data cleaning, analysis, and initial narrative drafting.
  • Self-Directed & Self-Starter: Ability to take ownership of open-ended problems, independently navigate technical roadblocks, and push projects through to completion with a high drive for public-facing output creation and value delivery.

Role Overview

We are hiring a Data Journalist to produce original, data-driven research pieces that will be published across major media outlets as part of a PR and SEO strategy. This role is highly output-focused. Hiring decisions are based primarily on the quality of a candidate’s previously published work rather than traditional question-and-answer interview style.

The Data Journalist will analyze large datasets and turn them into compelling, consumer-facing stories, particularly within the creator economy and broader business and market trends. This is a public-facing role focused on published research, not internal reporting.

How We Evaluate Candidates

Selection is based primarily on published work products.

  • Candidates must submit 3 to 5 published data-driven pieces.
  • Interviews will focus on walking through existing work, including:
  • Data sources, collection methods, and use of AI for research/analysis
  • How datasets were joined, cleaned, and analyzed
  • Use of SQL, APIs, scripting, or AI tools
  • Editorial judgment and headline selection
  • How the work could be improved with additional data access
  • Candidates must be willing to share published work. NDA-only experience is not a fit for this role.

Key Responsibilities

  • Produce in-depth, data-driven research reports designed for media placement
  • Collect, analyze, and interpret public and proprietary datasets using traditional techniques and modern AI-driven tools
  • Take full ownership of open-ended research questions and figure out solutions independently when encountering data roadblocks
  • Write clear, compelling stories based on data insights with a strong focus on execution and value delivery
  • Identify headline-worthy findings from large datasets
  • Create charts, graphs, and visualizations that support storytelling
  • Work on long-form research projects that may span weeks or months
  • Contribute to research on the creator economy and digital platform trends

Required Skills and Experience

  • AI & Technical Proficiency: AI-first approach to research, data collection, scraping, and analysis; strong SQL skills (joining tables across multiple datasets); experience working with internal/external databases; ability to write basic scripts to pull data from third-party APIs; advanced Excel/spreadsheet skills.
  • Ownership & Self-Direction: Proven track record as a self-starter who can be handed a broad problem, figure out how to solve it independently, and work around technical or data challenges without requiring step-by-step guidance.
  • Journalism & Storytelling: Proven experience producing published, data-driven journalism; native or near-native English writing proficiency; ability to translate complex data into engaging, consumer-facing stories; strong editorial judgment and sense of what is newsworthy.
  • Domain Knowledge: Experience covering business, markets, finance, real estate, sports analytics, or similar data-heavy beats.

Ideal Background

  • Data Journalist at a media outlet or digital publication
  • Business Intelligence or Business Analyst with strong writing, self-direction, and storytelling skills
  • Experience producing research for external publication rather than internal reporting
  • Comfortable working on long-term research projects with full independence
  • Background in data-heavy industries such as finance, real estate, or market research

There is significant overlap with a Business Analyst skill set, with the key differentiators being strong self-direction, AI-first research execution, and the ability to turn data into public-facing narratives.

Content Focus

  • Creator economy and digital platforms such as TikTok, Twitch, YouTube, and online creators
  • Business and market trends related to digital industries
  • Focus is on industry data and trends, not influencer culture

Location and Work Setup

  • Fully remote and offshore
  • Open to candidates based in South Africa or LATAM
  • Strong English proficiency is required

What This Role Is Not

  • Not an internal reporting or dashboard-only role
  • Not a software engineering role
  • Not an academic or unpublished research position
  • Not assessment-driven; real, published work is required
  • Not a hand-held environment; passive candidates who rely on step-by-step direction are not a fit

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