Language Data Specialist

About Kiwa Digital

Kiwa Digital manages the technical and production aspects of a long-term initiative developing and sustaining a thorough, linguistically precise dictionary of an endangered Indigenous language, delivered via a dictionary application to the public. This involves collecting, processing, and organizing dictionary entries and polishing them to meet the standards of the collaborating language authority.

Position Overview

The Language Data Specialist is responsible for creating, processing, and preparing core language data for the dictionary. Working from various source materials, you will construct and organize entries by applying expertise in language components such as spelling, parts of speech, pronunciation, and meanings to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency before seeking approval. The final linguistic and cultural validation is done by the partner language authority. This role reports directly to the Product Manager.

Key Duties

• Create, process, and prepare entries from diverse source materials ensuring linguistic accuracy and coherence.
• Verify quality and maintain consistency of each data batch prior to approval; escalate queries to the language authority rather than making autonomous decisions.
• Manage large, multifaceted datasets by keeping them organized, clean, and under version control.
• Utilize AI technologies, including Claude, to increase efficiency in repetitive processing tasks; training will be provided.
• Maintain up-to-date progress tracking through simple dashboards and reports.

Candidate Profile

• Background or experience in linguistics, languages, translation, TESOL, lexicography, education, or similar fields, gained through study, work, or personal experience.
• Meticulous and consistent approach to detailed language work, including spelling systems, word meanings, and structure.
• Comfortable leveraging technology and AI tools for large-scale language data processing, operating Claude confidently after training.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Capability to handle multiple datasets and project streams concurrently.
• Effective communication skills to clearly report questions, progress, risks, and obstacles to the Product Manager.
• Understanding and respect for the cultural sensitivity surrounding Indigenous language and knowledge, respecting the boundary between data preparation and final authority approval.
• Respect for the partner community’s sovereignty over language, data and cultural information, adhering strictly to cultural protocols and governance.
• Commitment to confidentiality and secure handling of all project-related data.
• Preferred qualifications: experience with language revitalization projects, dictionary or archival work, localization efforts, proficiency in a second language, or experience in language teaching or learning.

Additional Information

This is a fixed-term contract position lasting until December 20, 2026. The role is full-time with part-time considerations possible, and is primarily remote with optional hybrid workspaces available in Wellington or Auckland.