Journalism Researcher at BBC Monitoring

Main responsibilities

We are recruiting a journalism researcher in our team based in Nairobi, Kenya who will research thematic, regional and country-specific information to produce and maintain a range of content.  You’ll research and produce background information and profiles on media, politics, key political personalities/organisations and on global or regional themes. You will be proactive in making sure that the reference content is comprehensive and current as well as plan for upcoming events in the creation and maintenance of the product.  You'll produce timely tip-offs, media reviews, news reports and background information based on the monitoring of vernacular sources from the target area and play a role in the planning and strategic development of research as appropriate.  You'll contribute story ideas and new angles on emerging narratives and long-running stories, including from a data perspective.   You will be an integral part the production teams, acting on your own initiative,  with a flexible approach.   Some of the main responsibilities include:

• Research thematic, regional and country-specific information to produce and maintain a range of content
• Produce background information and profiles of media outlets, key political personalities and organisations and on global or regional themes
• Research, produce and maintain profiles of personalities, organisations, media outlets and source information
• Be proactive and meticulous in making sure that the Reference content is comprehensive and current, reprioritising as necessary, and planning for upcoming events in the creation and maintenance of data
• Produce timely tip-offs, news updates, diary entries and detailed background information based on the monitoring of vernacular sources
• Contribute story ideas and new angles on emerging narratives and long-running stories, including from a data perspective
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in BBC Monitoring and across the BBC, on regular output and bespoke products
• Contribute story ideas and new angles on emerging narratives and long-running stories, including from a data perspective
• Contribute to data projects including data collection, managing excel spreadsheets
• Play a role in planning and strategic development in the team as appropriate
• Prepare and compile multimedia elements for publication, for example video clips, images and maps.
• Ability to learn and use data reference and news production systems

Are you the right candidate?

• It is essential that you have professional fluency in French
• Excellent level of spoken and written English with demonstrable experience of writing in English
• Arabic or other additional languages desirable, though not essential
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the news and current affairs and media environment of Sub-Saharan Africa with particular focus on the Sahel and Francophone countries
• An interest in international news and media developments globally
• Experience of working in a research type role and or carrying out tasks where attention to detail is particularly important
• Experience in working with Excel and large data sets
• Ability to communicate effectively and to present complex information and ideas clearly and concisely
• To feed into the news agenda for the day, identifying new ways to deliver content relevant to all BBC Monitoring users
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in BBC Monitoring and across the BBC
• Willingness and enthusiasm to embrace new ways of working and new technology