Assistant Editor, BBC Pidgin at BBC

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Assistant Editor, BBC Pidgin leads the day-to-day editorial output of the service, supporting the Nigeria Languages Editor in implementing strategy across all BBC-owned and operated platforms. Working within the wider Nigeria Languages structure, the role reports to the News Editor, who sets the regional vision, while maintaining the editorial autonomy required to serve audiences with rigour, relevance and independence

This role requires strong editorial judgement and courage, with the ability to uphold BBC Editorial Guidelines and defend impartial decisions under pressure.

It is suited to an editor with strong journalistic instincts and clear digital ambition—someone who can sustain momentum, grow audience reach, and deliver against strategic goals

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

BBC World Service is establishing a new Nigeria Language Services Unit in Lagos, bringing together BBC Pidgin, BBC Yoruba and BBC Igbo under a single editorial leadership structure for the first time.

BBC Pidgin serves audiences across West Africa and a highly engaged global diaspora. It delivers independent, impartial journalism to a predominantly young audience navigating political uncertainty, widespread disinformation and ongoing challenges to democracy and good governance. The BBC’s editorial independence is central to the trust and value audiences place in the service.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Proven experience managing and developing journalism teams, with the ability to build a positive, high-performing culture and support individuals to deliver their best work.
• Strong track record of commissioning, shaping and delivering high-impact digital journalism, with a clear understanding of what drives audience engagement.
• Demonstrable success in developing and implementing data-led video strategies, delivering measurable audience growth and impact.
• Advanced understanding of audience analytics, search optimisation and platform performance, with the ability to translate data into effective editorial decisions.
• Strong editorial creativity, with the ability to adapt storytelling approaches and formats for different platforms, audiences and consumption behaviours.
• Experience of using innovative storytelling techniques, including data journalism and other approaches that enhance clarity, depth and audience understanding.
• Strong communication skills in English and Pidgin, both written and verbal, with the ability to represent the BBC effectively in senior internal forums.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

Proven ability to shoot, script and edit video stories using tools such as Final Cut Pro (FCPx) and QEdit, with the ability to deliver polished, engaging, audience-focused content which is optimised for digital platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook

Excellent scriptwriting and storytelling skills for a variety of digital formats, including short, mid and long form video and audio (podcast) formats.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.