Researcher at BBC World Service

In an exciting new partnership, BBC Africa is working with Kenyan broadcaster KTN to co-produce a lively, weekly current affairs, English language programme for Kenyan audiences. It will feature an in depth look at strong African stories, look at issues that touch the lives of Kenyan at home and abroad, deliver original storytelling and hard-hitting studio discussions and interviews. All our journalists work across TV, Digital and Social platforms.

 

Role Responsibility

Multimedia researchers are creative members of the production team who get involved in a wide range of tasks throughout the production process. As well as provide production and administrative support, they contribute ideas, research stories, plan sequences and find contributors. They set up – and film when required – inserts or interviews, support live broadcasts, ensuring guests and content are available and support live social media interaction for use in the TV show. The role may also involve working with outside broadcast providers.

Successful candidates will explore ideas, check factual details and undertake in depth background research, obtaining further information from all sources. You will have a track record in delivering ideas and contributing to original journalism. You will have a passion for interactivity through social media platforms and be prepared to immerse yourself in any task to support the production.

You will be expected to write clear treatments and proposals, ensuring consistency of content, quality and style. For developing stories you will be expected to follow coverage, amend and update material as required. You’ll contribute to an exciting, creative environment and be prepared to be flexible.

You will have a passion for current affairs on television. You will be an ideas person with a genuine ambition to find new and engaging ways to combine content with mainstream accessibility, diversity and entertainment values. You will have a good understanding of Kenyan audiences and BBC Africa service’s audiences as a whole. As part of the core staff you will be expected to embrace flexibility across all output and be prepared to perform the non-editorial administrative tasks as required, in support of the producers.

MAIN DUTIES

• To proactively embrace new technologies, new ways of working and innovation.
• Have strong demonstrable multiplatform skills and/or willing to take up appropriate training initiatives.
• Understands the duty of care in general with regard to individuals’ wellbeing and in particular with regard to Health & Safety issues.
• To work effectively to ensure all content is thoroughly researched and meets the BBC’s and our partner’s editorial standards.
• To work with the Senior Broadcast Journalist/Broadcast Journalists in developing ideas/treatments and producing workable scripts/structured treatments.
• To assist in the recce of locations, and where necessary to assist in the direction of filming.
• Generates creative and innovative ideas and contributes to the development process, writes proposals which are considered good enough to be developed and pitched for commissions.
• To be across and proactive in writing, filming and editing material for multiplatform.
• Takes responsibility for own career development and successfully seeks out and takes on work across a range of output to build, develop and enhance skills and experience.
• Responds openly and flexibly to feedback and develops accordingly.
• To carry out all duties in accordance with Health and Safety regulations.
• Prepared to perform the non-editorial administrative tasks as required, in support of the producers.

Are you the right candidate?

• Outstanding written and spoken English. Written and spoken Swahili or other local language is desirable.
• Good knowledge across a broad range of subject areas.
• A proven ability to identify key ideas, debates and issues within a field.
• A proven ability to contribute to ideas for programmes, items and new treatments.
• A proven ability to locate relevant sources of information, using initiative, perseverance and persuasion, and an extensive contact base.
• Ability to research potential contributors and guests and to build and sustain excellent relationships with them.
• Good writing skills.
• Ability to log and keep accurate records.
• Demonstrable understanding of the importance of the BBC’s values of accuracy, impartiality and decency.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work load and react positively to situations at short notice.
• An enquiring and analytical mind, able to pay attention to detail while maintaining an overview.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to express views and ideas at all levels both orally and in writing.
• Experience of working alone or in a team under supervision, maintaining good working relationships with colleagues and contributors.
• The flexibility and adaptability to sustain performance, particularly under pressure to meet deadlines and changing priorities and circumstances.
• Drive and resilience to maintain personal effectiveness in the face of pressure, setbacks, or when dealing with provocative situations.
• Consistently delivers on time by effectively prioritising, planning ahead and anticipating problems.
• Desirable to have some filming and operational/technical skills such as working with crews and/or self-shooting.

Any offer of employment with the BBC will be conditional upon you having the right to work in the country that the role is based in.