Journalist (Arabic) - BBC Monitoring at BBC World Service

Job purpose

Originate and produce, as part of a team, a wide variety of news and current affairs content for relevant output.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

1. 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.
2. May be required to present the content on radio, TV or on line. This might be live or recorded.
3. May include the production and presentation of programmes. This might be live or recorded
4. Exercise editorial judgment in developing story ideas and producing accurate and impartial journalism.
5. To undertake pre and post production and studio work, live and pre-recorded.
6. Use a range of video, audio & digital equipment and information technology to research, write, assemble, edit and deliver programmes in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional standards.
7. 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
8. Take a lead within a team setting or on delivering a specific piece of journalism or project as appropriate
9. To tailor different news treatments for different audiences ensuring that the output reflects the audiences we serve
10. To prioritise and plan activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines staffing and resources available
11. To produce engaging packages through a range of production skills
12. Delivering to tight deadlines while maintaining the highest editorial standards.
13. At all times to carry out duties in accordance with the BBC Health and Safety policy

Knowledge, skills, training and experience

Essential

1. Significant recent experience as a journalist, with a good knowledge of production techniques
2. 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, the programme departments and the audience
3. Ability to use technology as required, in order to gather material for broadcast.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Page 2 of 4 Journalist BBC Monitoring Nairobi WSG News August 2020.docx
2. Understands how a team works effectively and adopts the most appropriate role
3. Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people
4. Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understands how individual differences can benefit the BBC
5. Effective planning and organising skills, ability to concentrate on several areas of work at one time, prioritising, delivering consistently to deadlines and reacting positively to changes and conflicting priorities
6. 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
7. The flexibility and adaptability to sustain performance, particularly under pressure to meet deadlines and changing priorities and circumstances
8. An understanding of Health & Safety procedures and how it applies to broadcasting

Job impact

Decision making

1. High level of responsibility and decision making; able to operate alone.
2. No managerial responsibility. May be informally supported by Junior staff i.e. Researchers,Coordinators and Assistants.

Scope

1. Covers a wide range of journalism activity, producing news content and supporting theproduction and presentation of programmin

JOB PURPOSE

1. To produce engaging and insightful content in English in a variety of formats, based on the monitoring of vernacular sources - TV, radio, newspapers, online and social media - across Africa
2. Maintain a thorough understanding of African news and current affairs, as well as the continent’s digital and media scene
3. Act as a point of reference on Africa both internally and for all BBCM’s users
4. Continually develop expert knowledge of all media types, ensuring this source context features in output
5. Ensure all output is consistent with the BBC editorial guidelines
6. To come up with original ideas and creative treatments for ongoing and emerging narratives, including data-driven products and multimedia elements
7. To feed into the global news agenda, leading shifts as required
8. Continually develop self and others – including new members of staff and freelancers – through training and mentoring as well as liaising with the administration as required
9. Actively seek feedback from BBCM’s users; work with Editorial Leads/Senior Digital
10. Journalists and the rest of the team to interpret this and respond in a timely manner
11. Work collaboratively with colleagues in BBC Monitoring and across the BBC
12. Share BBCM’s insights directly with BBC audiences, including through broadcast
13. interviews

Essential Requirements

1. Complete fluency in Somali, or French or Arabic. Or at least two of the following: Amharic, Tigrinya, Afaan Oromo.
2.  Ability to write about developments in excellent idiomatic English
3.  Experience as a journalist with demonstrable news judgement
4.  A thorough knowledge and understanding of the news and current affairs of sub-Saharan Africa
5.  In-depth subject matter expertise on Africa’s media environment, including tracking breaking news and emerging trends on social media
6.  Education to degree level or equivalent

Desirable

1. Kinyrwanda/Kirundi, Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and/or any other language dominant in
2. Africa’s media scene.
3. Ability to understand and identify the needs of BBCM users
4. Broadcast experience, or content creation, or video shoot/edit skills
5. Digital skills (eg social media or data analysis skills, coding) Good inter-personal communication skills and an ability to train others