Journalist, BBC Somali Service at BBC World Service

Job Introduction

A career at the BBC offers you an opportunity to tell stories that can change lives and at BBC Africa it is our ambition to showcase the diversity of ideas and aspirations from across the continent.

Role Responsibility

• 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.

The Ideal Candidate

• 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrable knowledge of digital platforms - the BBC’s and others - and the different ways audiences are consuming news.
• Excellent command and up to date knowledge of spoken and written Somali language as first language (or equivalent)
• 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 in editing the work of others 
• 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.
• The flexibility and adaptability to sustain performance, particularly under pressure to meet deadlines and changing priorities and circumstances.
• Flexibility and willing to learn and work if needed on other media platforms

Knowledge, skills, training and experience 

Essential

• Significant recent experience as a journalist, with a good knowledge of production techniques.
• 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.