Call for applications: Research data analyst and report writer

The MIAF is a pan-African, non-profit organisation based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with satellite offices in East, West and Central Africa. Its mission is to support the African music sector through promoting knowledge exchange, and creating opportunities and capacity for music professionals via our online portal (musicinafrica.net) and through training programmes, artist mobility programmes, workshops, concerts, lobbying, conferences and other related initiatives.

The MIAF recently introduced the RSFAM project, a multifaceted initiative aiming to empower African music professionals with information and tools to earn more income from their works.

Over an 18-month period, the RSFAM project will collect and analyse big data on the earning trends of music professionals to identify definitive revenue models (based on their historical and current performance in different locations), publish industry reports, and develop digital tools, educational content and capacity-building programmes. The outcomes of the RSFAM project will support an RSFAM policy committee with the aim to advocate for improved legislation to support the music industry.

Research phases of the project

• Research framework (January-March 2021): The MIAF consulted with industry experts to develop a survey aiming to examine the revenue earning trends of South African musicians.
• Survey development: The MIAF launched in May 2021 the survey open to all music creators active in South Africa.
• Field research: Since June 2021, the MIAF has mobilised a team of 15 field researchers to conduct in-person and telephonic interviews across all nine provinces of South Africa.
• Data analysis and reporting: Upcoming phase (August-October 2021).

The MIAF is inviting data analysts to produce a report that focuses on the findings of the nationwide research focusing on the revenue earning trends of South African musicians.

Key deliverables

The main responsibility of the contractor will be systematically analysing and collating the data into meaningful conclusions, and finally, producing and presenting a professional report of which the key target audience will be music creators.

The successful candidate will therefore be able to:

• Develop a strong understanding of the key goals of the project, with a view to produce results that are relevant and beneficial to the target audience.
• Collate all the data from the survey results (up to 3 000 surveys).
• Systematically analyse data with a key focus on:
  • Applying basic data analysis methodologies to show the relation and correlation between variables, especially relating to earning trends and the attributes of musicians’ revenue streams.
  • Identifying current revenue models and trends, income-generating activities and opportunities for musicians.
  • Investigating structural shortcomings and identifying needs and challenges in terms of revenue earning trends for South African musicians.
  • Mapping revenue models according to unique attributes such as genre, geographical location, gender and other indicators.
  • Mapping musician profiles according to unique attributes such as genre, geographical location, gender and other indicators, and identifying opportunities corresponding to those profiles.
• Write and develop a report based on the findings as outlined above.
• Contribute to the design and production of the report, e.g. overseeing the layout, illustrations and infographics to accompany the final report.
• Include industry recommendations based on the research findings.
• Provide ongoing feedback to the MIAF on data-analysis progress.
• Perform other roles required in this phase.

Skills and requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years' professional data analysis experience.
• Minimum five years’ professional report writing experience. For clarity: the successful candidate should be able to produce an error-free report without much assistance from the MIAF.
• Strong experience in the creative/arts sector and knowledge of the music sector would be an advantage.
• Good understanding of the music industry value chain and the South African music industry in general.
• Proven track record in a similar role.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Flexibility and ability to manage timetable and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

How to apply

This call is open to individuals. The deadline for all applications is 18 August 2021.

Applicants are requested to submit the following:

• A proposal (not more than 3 pages) articulating how they would implement the data analysis and reporting phase of the RSFAM project, while demonstrating their capacities, expertise and other key aspects.
• Proof of similar reports/projects completed successfully in the past.
• An up-to-date CV.
• At least three references.
• An indication of financial expectations.

All proposals to be submitted to MIAF projects officer Jannike Bergh at jannike@musicinafrica.net, with ‘Data Analysis Proposal’ in the subject line.

The Music In Africa Revenue Streams for African Musicians project is supported by UNESCO’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity in the framework of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the Siemens Cents4Sense programme, Goethe-Institut, the National Arts Council of South Africa and Kaya FM.

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