Broadcast Journalist (Planning) at BBC

Job Reference: BBC/TP/788768/22167
Location: Lagos
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time

Job Introduction

• Africa’s media landscape is changing. It is one of the fastest developing news markets in the world with mobile technology transforming lives, internet connectivity increasing, the radio market remaining relatively strong and Television migrating from analogue to digital.
• The BBC World Service remains the leading international broadcaster in Africa, reaching a weekly audience of more than 100 million across all platforms and Social Media. Globally, the BBC reaches a weekly audience of 320 million across various platforms.
• Over the next four years, the BBC World Service will be expanding its multimedia operations in Africa by doubling the number of language services from 6 to 12. Three of the new language services, Pidgin, Yoruba and Igbo, will serve our audiences in Nigeria and West Africa.
• They will be based in Lagos, working alongside our operation in Abuja from where the BBC currently produces its Hausa service output.
• There is a strong emphasis on reaching and connecting with young audiences.
• We are now looking for an excellent Planning Broadcast Journalist with strong digital journalism, language and organisational skills to join our planning team.

Role Responsibilities

• The Planning Broadcast Journalist will help and support the West Africa Planning Senior Broadcast Journalist in the coverage of Nigeria and West Africa stories in the most innovative, cost-effective and relevant manner primarily for Pidgin, Yoruba and Igbo.
• You will support West Africa Planning Senior Broadcast Journalist by taking responsibility for breaking news coverage and in particular liaising with Service Editors to ensure deployments and sharing of material across the wider BBC.
• You will also work with West Africa Planning SBJ to plan the production of longer term digital content across the region.
• You will work with Services Editors to research and plan big interview bids which are relevant to the target area.
• The Planning Broadcast Journalist will support reporters in delivering timely and standout coverage for BBC platforms in Pidgin, Igbo and Yoruba, as well as other languages in West Africa.
• You will be responsible for setting and managing realistic deadlines.
• You will have experience within a digital media environment. Fluent in English and at least one of Yoruba, Igbo or Pidgin, you will have experience of delivering creative output. Field reporting experience is an advantage.
• An excellent knowledge of local, regional and international news and current affairs is essential; so also a good understanding of a broad editorial agenda.
• You will have knowledge of and recent experience of living in the target area, and a good understanding of the complexities of Nigeria.
• Ability to work under pressure and react to breaking news is essential. Organisational skills are required.
• You must have work authorization for Nigeria.

The Ideal Candidate

• To ensure reporters provide daily news coverage and generate strong exclusive, exciting stories that work on digital platforms.
• To ensure reporters provide longer term coverage of stories in an exciting creative way.
• Must have an awareness of and a keen interest in the needs of young audiences.
• To attend editorial meetings and contribute to the commissioning process, looking beyond the daily news agenda to ensure a rich, varied and original coverage across all platforms.
• To contribute to the daily/weekly/monthly diary of important news and other non-news events in the target area and working with the West Africa Planning SBJ to plan ahead for proper deployment and coverage.
• To keep abreast of evolving news stories and emerging trends.
• To ensure material from Nigeria and the region is made available for wider use within BBC Africa and elsewhere.
• To coordinate coverage of breaking news across BBC outlets.
• To occasionally do some field reporting as required by the West Africa Planning SBJ.
• Working with West Africa Planning SBJ, to ensure the safety of reporters and all deployed teams.
• To have a keen interest in new technologies and the fast-changing media market.
• To plan and ensure availability and the most efficient use of resources.
• To develop contacts lists for reporters, contributors and regional experts and to ensure they are up to date.

Package Description

• Contract: Continuing
• Salary: Local Terms and Conditions Apply.