Rainforest Investigations Network - Data Architect

Full-Time Position

The Pulitzer Center, a nonprofit journalism organization that supports independent global journalism, is seeking an experienced and versatile data journalist, developer, or technologist to be the Data Architect of the Rainforest Investigations Network (RIN). 

The network is a major new initiative that seeks to harness investigative reporting and cross-border collaboration to tackle stories at the intersection of climate change, corruption, and governance in the world’s three main tropical rainforest regions: Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.

In-depth investigations based on the analysis of complex databases will be an integral part of the new network. In the first year of activities, 10 experienced investigative journalists will be selected as RIN’s inaugural cohort—three in each of the three main tropical rainforest regions and one based in an outlet of international reach. The Data Architect will have the unique opportunity to collaborate on innovative investigative stories by proposing effective ways to manage and analyze large amounts of data and documents. As a crucial member of the network, the Data Architect will surface ideas and leads for new investigations based on data explorations.

The Rainforest Investigations Network is a sister initiative of the Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Journalism Fund. It is funded with the support of the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI). 

Responsibilities

The Data Architect will work directly with the Environmental Investigations Editor to support the 10 fellows who will report full time on tropical rainforests. We are seeking an enterprising and team-oriented professional who will learn from and contribute ideas to the journalists’ projects in different parts of the world (with a focus on the Amazon, greater Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia) and will work efficiently and collegially with diverse media outlets.

In coordination with the Pulitzer Center’s editorial team, the Data Architect will establish the most secure and effective ways to share with the network information and analyses obtained from public and private databases. In addition, the Data Architect will help the Environmental Investigations Editor identify and select open-source applications and tools to incorporate into the reporting workflow, or will lead the development of new applications.  

The Data Architect will play a decisive role in inspiring journalists participating in the network to incorporate data analysis into their investigations. This professional will also have the opportunity to advise other data journalists and developers based at Rainforest Investigations Network's partner media outlets and support the design of training opportunities for journalists interested in using data in environmental journalism around the world.

As part of this initiative's mission, all knowledge generated will be shared through publications on our website and open-source repositories. The Data Architect will develop a  core of methodologies and documentation that can contribute to the advancement of data journalism in the rainforests.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

  • Demonstrated expertise, via academic or professional work, on data investigations including analysis of complex and large structured and unstructured datasets. 
  • Proven skills on how to use tools, code languages or libraries for advanced data mining and/or geospatial analysis.
  • The ability to act as an adviser and coach and to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks without compromising quality.
  • Knowledge of statistical concepts and methodologies and the ability to conduct thorough data-quality assessments.
  • The ability to think of strategic and proactive solutions to challenges and opportunities and the drive to innovate.
  • The ability to work independently and to have an open and collaborative management style, characteristic of a team player.
  • A deep understanding of core journalistic values, including accuracy, independence, and fairness. 
  • Fluent in oral and written English. Familiarity with languages common in the rainforest regions of the world would be helpful and should be noted in the application.

Preferred Qualifications

  • College Degree
  • Previous work with journalistic investigations or data-science projects. 
  • Ability to produce simple visualizations, such as analytic graphics.
  • Familiarity with the scientific, environmental, social, legal, political, and commercial forces at play in deforestation and climate change. 

Who We Are 

In 2005, the Pulitzer Center opened its doors with a donated desk, modest seed funding, and high ambitions: to fill in the gaps in underfunded global reporting and inspire a new generation of journalists to cover the big global issues that affect us all.

Since then, we’ve built an amazing staff—based in Washington, D.C.; Bogor; Chicago; Houston; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Seoul; and Sao Paulo—and expanded our funding and mission to support more than 150 reporting projects a year on pressing global issues, sparking high-impact stories in more than 600 news outlets annually. Our projects have won the Pulitzer Prize, George Polk Awards, Peabodys, Emmys, National Magazine Awards, and more.

We’ve forged strong partnerships with leading national and international media, including The New York Times Magazine, Le Monde, PBS NewsHour, and The New Yorker, as well as local, regional, and specialty media outlets in all continents.

You will have the opportunity to work with some of the world’s most talented journalists and educators, and a deeply committed, hardworking, and high-spirited Pulitzer team, with plenty of opportunities to influence strategy and demonstrate leadership.

For more information about the Pulitzer Center, visit pulitzercenter.org.

Please note that due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Pulitzer Center is currently open to remote employees. Stable high-speed internet access and a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and microphone would be helpful for this position.  

How to Apply

Please send your resume using this form with a cover letter and three work samples. 

The Pulitzer Center is an equal opportunity employer. The Center is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where the individual differences among us, whether in terms of race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, physical challenge, or marital or family status, are (i) understood, respected, and appreciated, (ii) recognized as a source of strength, and (iii) valued as qualities that enrich the environment in which we work.

Salary will be commensurate with work experience and academic qualifications. This position includes excellent benefits and a collegial work environment.

If you have any difficulties with the application form, please send a message to [email protected].