Senior Journalist

JOB BAND: D

CONTRACT TYPE: x3 vacancies, 12-mth/6-mth, Fixed-term Contract, Full-time.

DEPARTMENT: BBC Africa Digital, BBC News

LOCATION: London

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £42,000 - £52,000 (plus London weighting) depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

As a Senior Journalist you’ll be helping shape digital content that inspires the next generation of African audiences. Reporting to the Assistant Editor, you’ll play a key role in producing and overseeing multi-platform content, helping deliver creative projects that connects with audiences across Africa and beyond.

We are looking for experienced and motivated senior journalists with a range of subbing, writing, video and audio skills to help commission, oversee and execute original stories.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

We have a rare opportunity for a Senior Journalist to join a vibrant Africa digital team and work with colleagues from across 14 African language services in developing, overseeing and bringing to light multiplatform stories.

As part of a dynamic and creative team, you will be at the forefront of the BBC World Service’s mission to engage young audiences cross Africa with impartial, trusted and relevant journalism. In this role you’ll get the chance to help shape BBC Africa’s digital offer across platforms and formats, taking our reporting to new audiences in innovative ways, making impact across the BBC and beyond.

Senior Journalists also have the opportunity to work on a wide range of original stories as well as being deployed.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

As a key member of the Africa Digital team working to the Assistant Editor you will:

• Be responsible for overseeing the work of colleagues in creating compelling content tailored to our digital audiences
• Be responsible for scripting for online, radio and social content
• Champion diversity – ensure inclusivity is at the heart of your storytelling, reflecting communities we serve
• Collaborate with colleagues from across the region in commissioning
• Be full of boundary-pushing ideas for stories and formats
• Passionate about engaging 16-24s across Africa with national and global news

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Exercises strong editorial judgment and has a proven track record of producing multiplatform digital journalism
• Be able to script, edit, sub video and audio scripts as well as write for online
• Experience overseeing remote productions
• Knowledge of African geo-politics with a deep understanding of audience needs
• Experience of delivering original stories that shape the news agenda and thrives in a collaborative environment
• Leadership and communication skills, with experience of developing junior colleagues and liaising with stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of working and producing digital content

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Ability to film
• Ability to speak any of the major African languages

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

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Disclaimer

This is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

For any general queries, please contact: [email protected]

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.