Vacancies at BBC World Service

Job Purpose

• The BBC World Service is an impartial and independent international news provider, part of BBC News, which delivers content on various platforms.
• In line with a new strategy to transition the World Service into a digital first operation that provides distinctive and original content, it is establishing content and production hubs to create high impact, original journalism for its global audiences.
• This role will support the creation and development of audio formats and will collaboratively work with various teams.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Devise and produce original, innovative and entertaining radio shows, podcasts and other audio formats.
• Support the launch and development of Focus on Africa current affairs podcast and other podcasts/radio content
• Identify, plan, script and produce original journalism and explainers, using a range of storytelling techniques and audio craft, including the use of archive.

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• Bilingual language expertise is essential
• A broad knowledge of issues and trends affecting audiences across Africa and in the diaspora, as well as the changing needs of the audience.
• Ability to broadcast and to report on radio, TV and social media platforms as required, both pre-recorded and live.
• Excellent knowledge of audio editing software and competent editing skills.
• Demonstrable experience of producing digital content for social and digital platforms, and for broadcast, including hands-on technical production skills.
• A solid understanding of the BBC’s editorial guidelines and BBC values.

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Job Purpose

• The BBC World Service is undergoing a significant strategic review to become a digital first operation that provides distinctive and original content.
• Focus on Africa is a daily news and current affairs TV programme broadcast on BBC World News and partner stations globally, and is one of the crown jewels of the BBC World Service. It is where we showcase our best journalism, analysis and explanation, helping audiences understand the world better.
• Focus of Africa TV is evolving as part of an ambitious transformation across the World Service. The refreshed programme, presented from the continent for the first time, will meet our audience needs now and in the future.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Generate and produce new and creative treatments for digital, social and linear (TV and Radio) platforms.
• Ability to originate, plan, develop and produce engaging digital content on complex political and social issues that will appeal to African and global audiences, particularly among women and young people.
• Conduct research to inform and support production of features, investigations and original journalism.
• Undertake interviewing and reporting duties, under broad direction in both recorded and live situations, in studio or on location.
• Use knowledge of social trends across Africa to make informed decisions on upcoming stories

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• Complete comprehension of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively to broadcast standard.
• Recent experience as a journalist, particularly covering Africa news and current affairs.
• Ability to originate, plan, develop and produce engaging digital content on complex political and social issues that will appeal to African and global audiences, particularly among women and young people.
• Understanding of an African language
• A clear understanding of the needs and profile of the target audience and the ability to translate this into imaginative and compelling content ideas.