Journalist, Planning BBC Africa at BBC

Job Reference: BBC/TP/1394352/41949
Location: 1 role in Lagos (Contuinuing) and 1 role in Abuja (until 13th November 2019)
Contract: Continuing
Job Category: Journalism
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
Business Unit: News - WSG World Service
Reports to: Senior Journalist Planning  - Lagos and Planning Editor - London

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

• 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 on line. 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 & 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

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience 
Essential:

• Be fluent in English with knowledge of more than one language, broadcast by BBC Africa in West Africa, being a distinct advantage
• 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, the programme departments and the audience
• Ability to use technology as required, in order to gather material for broadcast.
• Understands how a team works effectively and adopts the most appropriate role
• 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, prioritising, 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 & Safety procedures and how it applies to broadcasting

Job Impact  
Decision making:

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

Scope:

• Covers a wide range of journalism activity, producing news content and supporting the production and presentation of programming.