Data Journalist - London

Start date: as soon as possible
Deadline for applications: June 27, 2025 
Location: London, United Kingdom - Data Visualisation Department

 

THE JOB 

We are seeking an experienced, motivated English-speaking data journalist to join our global Data and Visual Journalism department. 

Based in our London office but fully integrated into the Department’s team based in Paris, you will work on text and visual content aimed at contextualising news events, focusing on international events and editorial priorities of the agency, such as the environment, climate change and developments in the digital world.

As a data journalist, you will be responsible for looking for or compiling relevant datasets, producing data analysis and related news content - text stories as well as visuals (fixed and animated graphics including videographics).

You will be part of a team in charge of conceiving innovative ways of doing journalism thanks to data analyses and data-related tools, aiming at enriching AFP content and facilitating the work of journalists.

As a data journalist, you will always work in a team of two or more people, including graphic artists when it comes to producing visuals or developers for advanced analysis or tool building.

You will also be producing non-data-driven stories and visuals: contextualisation content like cross-countries or historical comparisons, or visual explainers (both static and animated). You will also take part in the writing of profiles, under the coordination of people in charge of profiles in Paris.

On a general basis, you will work under the supervision of the global head of the department in Paris and her deputies in charge of data, text and visual content, and report to them on a day-to-day basis.

Your work schedule (including workdays, time off, and vacation) will be coordinated with the other English-speaking data journalists in the department based in Paris, under the supervision of management, to ensure continuity of English-language services while adhering to UK working hours, rest days, statutory holidays and remote work policy.

The candidate selected will be driven and self-starting and will have a flair for exploring data-driven stories, pitch ideas and produce text and visual content. You will have a strong interest in collecting data sets and in organising the data with the appropriate tools. 

You will work with a set of advanced data processing and visualisation tools, as well as mapping tools. You will ensure the accuracy of the data gathered and the information you produce. You will also help promote data-journalism within the newsroom.

You will have knowledge of French and possibly Spanish and would be able to translate stories and graphics produced in French into English and ensure the consistency of our news coverage in English during your shift. 

Depending on the news cycle and the organisation of the department, this may involve work at night, early in the morning or/and at weekends and public holidays during exceptionally busy times. The department is otherwise usually open from Monday to Friday from 7h30 GMT to 18h00 GMT.

This collaborative position demands foresight and a high degree of autonomy and versatility, with the ability to handle a range of areas including climate, economics, digital world, sport, science, international news and everyday lifestyle topics.

As a general rule, you commit to respecting AFP's ethics charter as well as all the editorial guidelines in force and the AFP Stylebook.

In an ever-changing media environment, the nature of the job could evolve in line with coverage demands and the requirements of an increasingly diverse client base. 

 

SKILLS REQUIRED

  • Solid knowledge of the web and data gathering and analysing tools, including perfect mastery of spreadsheets

  • Solid knowledge of visualisation, statistical analysis and cartography tools like QGIS

  • Solid knowledge of Illustrator.

  • Knowledge of coding, AI tools and satellite imagery analysis

  • Deep interest in news and a high degree of responsiveness to events

  • Previous journalism experience 

  • Initiative and creativity, good writing ability, scripting skills

  • Be highly-motivated, self-starting and fizzing with ideas

  • Ability to work under pressure 

  • Ability to work as part of a team

  • High degree of autonomy and ability to work with collaborative communication tools

  • Desired working language: English. Strong ability to translate content from French, and possibly Spanish.  

 

THE DEPARTMENT

The Data Visualisation Department handles text and graphic content aimed at contextualising AFP news coverage. It is responsible for developing and disseminating data journalism throughout the agency.

Its has more than 50 staff including journalists, data journalists, graphic designers (for static, motion, web), developers, dataset specialists, coordinators (data, design, relations with IT and marketing departments), chiefs of unit, deputies and head of department, working from Paris, Beirut, Berlin, Hong Kong, Montevideo, New York and Rio de Janeiro.

The London bureau is one of AFP's largest foreign bureaus outside of the regional headquarters, with a staff of around 70.

 

APPLICATIONS 

Send your CV and cover letter to JobAtDatavisualisation@afp.com