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Research Analyst

Somewhere

Fully Remote
📍 Johannesburg
🇿🇦 SA Friendly: 1.0/1.0

🇿🇦 Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants

This fully remote full time position at Somewhere is open to applicants from South Africa. This role is suited for mid-level professionals. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.

Job Description

Research Analyst (TV & Film Data Operations)

Location:Remote (Preference for native/near-native English markets such as South Africa; open globally)Type:Full-time (40 hours/week)Work Hours: US Business hours

The Role

We are hiring Research Analysts to power a critical function within our data operations team: translating entertainment industry news into structured database updates.

This is not traditional data entry.

You will spend your day:
* Reading industry news articles about TV and film projects
* Interpreting what the article means (not just what it says)
* Updating structured database fields accordingly
* Identifying inconsistencies across sources
* Flagging ambiguity for further review
This role sits at the intersection of:
* Media industry knowledge
* Analytical thinking
* Precision data entry

What You’ll Actually Do (Day-to-Day)

1. Interpret Entertainment News

Read articles about film/TV announcements, renewals, casting, production updates, etc.

Extract key information and translate it into structured database entries.

Example:

Article says: “Taylor Sheridan is writing and creating a new series…”

You correctly interpret: Showrunner = Taylor Sheridan

2. Maintain Database Accuracy
* Create new project records when they don’t exist
* Update existing records with new information
* Assign correct project statuses (e.g., “Active Development,” “Pre-Production”)

3. Cross-Reference External Data

Compare partner-provided lists with internal database records.

Identify:
* Missing data
* Conflicting information
* Outdated entries

4. Handle Ambiguity Thoughtfully

When sources conflict, do not guess.

Add structured research notes and flag for internal review.

5. Follow Structured Processes Consistently
* Work within a proprietary platform with defined fields and workflows
* Maintain high accuracy across repetitive but detail-sensitive tasks

What Success Looks Like

You will succeed in this role if you:
* Consistently produce accurate, structured data from messy inputs
* Develop a strong understanding of film/TV industry terminology
* Make sound judgment calls when interpreting ambiguous information
* Maintain focus and consistency across 40 hours/week
* Stay with the team long-term and improve over time

Who Will Do Well in This Role

This role is ideal for someone who is:

1. Detail-Oriented to an Exceptional Degree

You naturally catch inconsistencies others miss and care deeply about accuracy.

2. Strong in Written English

You can easily understand nuance, tone, and implied meaning in articles.

3. Familiar with Film & TV (Even at a Basic Level)

You don’t need to be an expert—but you understand concepts like:
* Showrunner vs. writer
* Development vs. production
* Seasons, renewals, pilots, etc.

4. Process-Driven and Consistent

You’re comfortable doing structured work for long periods without losing quality.

5. Comfortable With Repetition + Thinking

This role is repetitive in format, but not mindless—each task requires judgment.

6. Looking for Stability (Not a Side Hustle)

You want a long-term, full-time role—not something temporary while pursuing another career.

Who Will NOT Do Well in This Role

This role is not a fit if you:

1. Prefer Creative or Fast-Changing Work

If you need constant novelty or creative output, this will feel repetitive.

2. Struggle With Ambiguity

If you need everything to be explicitly stated (vs. inferred), this will be difficult.

3. Are Prone to Careless Mistakes

Small errors compound quickly in this role and impact data integrity.

4. Want a Short-Term Role

We are explicitly looking for people who will stay 1+ years.

5. Dislike Structured Systems

You’ll be working within defined fields and processes—not freeform work.

6. Lack Strong English Comprehension

This role requires understanding nuance—not just basic reading ability.

Tools & Systems
* Proprietary ProdPro platform (article feed + structured data entry forms)
* External references (e.g., IMDb and similar sources)
* Internal workflows for tagging, notes, and adjudication

Tips for South African Applicants

Timezone Advantage

South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.

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Salary in Context

Even without a listed salary, international remote roles typically pay 2-3x more than equivalent local positions in South Africa due to the exchange rate advantage.

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Application Tips

Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.

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Load Shedding Preparedness

If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.

About Somewhere

Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 609 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →