Journalist, BBC News - Somali Service at BBC Media Action

Main Responsibilities

• Working closely with other Journalists in the service, the successful candidate will create content for a variety of broadcast and digital media platforms, in multiple formats including audio and video. You will use your knowledge of the digital media market to produce interesting news content for our website and social media platforms.
• You will work across all BBC Somali platforms to ensure the highest quality content is created for our audiences and conforms to BBC Values and editorial standards.

Other day to day duties include:

• 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 and digital. This might be live or recorded.
• May include the production and presentation of programmes. 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 programmes in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional 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.
• To prioritise 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.
• At all times to carry out duties in accordance with the BBC health and safety policy.

Are you the right candidate?

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Fluent command and up to date knowledge of spoken and written Somali language as a first language.
• A good knowledge of English including complete comprehension of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Significant recent experience as a broadcast journalist for the target area, both in originating ideas and material and, with a good knowledge of production techniques.
• Outstanding record as a broadcasting and digital journalist with an excellent production and presentation style to communicate effectively with the listeners.
• A high standard of news and editorial judgment based on substantial broadcast journalism experience.
• Ability to write creatively in an engaging manner, adapt, and produce and translate with accuracy, clarity and style appropriate to differing audiences and forms of media suitable for the Service’s multimedia output. 
• Wide, thorough and up to date familiarity with the target area which the service broadcasts and an in-depth understanding of the Somali region’s news and current affairs, history, politics, social issues and culture. A good knowledge of, and interest in, international, diaspora and British current affairs, particularly insofar as they affect the target areas.
• Demonstrates sound editorial and policy decisions based upon a clear understanding of the BBC’s distinctive news agenda, the requirements of news and current affairs coverage and the audience.
• Ability to use technology as required, in order to gather material for broadcast.
• Understands how a team works effectively. 
• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
• Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understands how individual differences can benefit the BBC.
• Effective planning and organising skills, ability to concentrate on several areas of work at one time, delivering consistently to deadlines and reacting positively to changes and conflicting priorities.
• 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.
• 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.