Job Openings at BBC World Service

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) Journalist - Gender and Identity, BBC News Africa Content Hub

Job Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full Time
Band: C
Contract type: Permanent/Continuing

Role Overview

• The journalist will lead the digital-first coverage of gender and identity issues across Africa and especially West Africa
• The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, researching, and producing high-quality digital content for a variety of platforms, with a focus on reaching and engaging younger and digitally-savvy audiences.
• Originate and produce, as part of a team, a wide variety of news and current affairs content for relevant output.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Developing and implementing a digital-first strategy for covering gender and identity issues in Africa, with a focus on engaging younger audiences.
• Identifying and researching stories of relevance to the African audience, with a focus on bringing new perspectives and insights on issues related to gender and identity.
• Producing high-quality digital content for a variety of platforms, including social media, mobile, video, and podcasts.
• Collaborating with other journalists and editors within the BBC to ensure that coverage of gender and identity issues is integrated into broader reporting on Africa.
• Monitoring audience feedback and data to optimize content performance and engagement.

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• A Degree in Journalism, Media, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Fluency in English and at least one other language spoken in Africa is preferred.
• A proven track record of producing high-quality digital content on gender and identity issues, preferably in an African context.
• Deep understanding of digital media and platforms, with the ability to produce engaging and informative content for a range of audiences.
• Strong editorial judgement, with the ability to identify and report on stories that are of relevance and interest to the African audience.
• A network of contacts and sources across Africa, particularly in relation to gender and identity issues.

Application Closing Date: 1st September, 2023.

Click here to apply online

2.) Journalist, Africa Content Production Hub

Job Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full Time
Band: C
Contract type: Permanent/Continuing

Job Purpose

• We are seeking an experienced Journalist with extensive knowledge about West Africa, Africa, and global news and current affairs.
• This role is a key part of our ambition to create impactful digital-first content for African and global audiences, reporting directly from Lagos.
• The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of digital and social platforms, the needs of youth audiences in Africa, and the stories they are looking for.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Use a range of video, audio, and digital equipment and information technology to research, write, assemble, edit, and deliver outputs in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional standards.
• May be required to present the content on radio, TV, or online. This might be live or recorded.
• May include the production and presentation of programs. This might be live or recorded.
• Exercise editorial judgment in developing story ideas and producing accurate and impartial journalism.
• To undertake pre- and post-production and studio work, live and pre-recorded. Use a range of video, audio, and digital equipment and information technology to research, write, assemble, edit, and deliver programs in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional standards.
• To prioritize and plan activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing, and resources available.
• To produce engaging packages through a range of production skills.
• Delivering to tight deadlines while maintaining the highest editorial standards.
• To liaise closely with other team members and with other departments in the BBC, to ensure that output material is shared, duplication is avoided, and best practice is upheld.
• Take a lead within a team setting or on delivering a specific piece of journalism or project as appropriate.
• To tailor different news treatments for different audiences ensuring that the output reflects the audiences we serve.
• At all times to carry out duties in accordance with the BBC health and safety policy.

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience
Are You the Right Candidate?

• A track record of producing and delivering impactful digital news storytelling.
• Excellent written English skills 
• Fluent in either French, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin, and strong English writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to regularly pitch creative, original story ideas and find sources to bring those stories to life.
• The ability to collaborate with teams across World Service Output and Content as well as explore potential collaboration with wider BBC News, and other current affairs strands.
• Willingness to travel abroad, sometimes at short notice.
• Up to date with the latest emerging trends on African social media and impacting youth audiences in Africa. 
• Outstanding knowledge of the ‘global Africa story’, of the global impact of African policies, investment, and growing influence across the world.
• Understanding of African news, politics, business, the environment, or another beat, and a good understanding of the African media and social media landscape.
• Understanding of Francophone-speaking Africa is important.

Desirable:

• Experience of self-shooting, working on short videos or podcasts.
• Experience of processing and analyzing data.
• Experience of publishing engaging long-form articles, including investigative journalism.

Personal Attributes:

• Diligent with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills combined with a collaborative teamwork mindset.
• Well-organized with strong time management skills.

Application Closing Date: 30th August, 2203.

Click here to apply online

3.) Senior Journalism Team Manager

Job Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Department: BBC PS - Nigeria
Category: Journalism

Job Purpose

• Responsible for an area of output, including editorial control, reporting, selection and compilation of material, production, leading teams and planning and implementing effective use of resources. In addition, this role has formal managerial responsibility.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Responsible for originating and producing stories which may include scripting, editing, outputting, filming and presenting content across a range of BBC output.
• Commission and select relevant materials ensuring they meet expectations of our audiences and adhere to the BBC’s editorial guidelines.
• Seek ways to increase diversity in our workforce and to ensure that our output reflects the audiences we serve.
• Deliver journalism of the highest standard and within the required timeframe using available resources
• To act as a facilitator of change, clearly communicating and distributing best practices between teams.
• Delivering to tight deadlines while maintaining the highest editorial standards.
• May be required to undertake on-air reporting, may be required to film and edit material for broadcast where appropriate.
• As required, to allocate work to a team and check progress; ensure the professional contribution of staff and the quality of output. Able to lead the team on a day to day basis, but also contribute ideas and support to the overall management of the site, its team, finances and agenda.
• At all times to carry out duties in accordance with the BBC health and safety policy

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience
Essential:

• A high standard of editorial judgment, writing ability and production skills based on substantial broadcast journalism experience
• Maximises opportunities offered by existing and emerging technologies to their fullest extent
• Ability to work effectively as a member of more than one team.
• Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources.
• Ability to write creatively in an engaging manner, adapt, produce and translate with accuracy, clarity and style appropriate to differing audiences and forms of media suitable for multimedia output.
• Resolving conflicts as necessary.
• Ability to manage resources, staff, technical facilities and budgets, in order to make challenging broadcasting in the most cost effective manner.
• Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understands how individual differences can benefit the BBC.
• The flexibility and adaptability to sustain performance, particularly under pressure to meet deadlines and changing priorities and circumstances.
• An understanding of health and safety procedures and how they apply to broadcasting.

Job Impact:

• Decision making Significant level of responsibility.
• Uses initiative but seeks guidance where necessary.
• Typically manages a small team of Journalists (some of which may be Senior Journalists) and/or other more junior roles, in most cases up to 20 people.

Scope:

• A senior journalist covering a wide range of journalism activity, with significant experience and responsibility for programme/content creation.
• In addition, this role has formal managerial responsibility.

Application Closing Date: 31st August, 2023.

Click here to apply online