Assistant Editor (West Africa Deployment Editor) at BBC

Job Purpose

The BBC World Service is undergoing a significant strategic review. It is becoming a digital first operation and in WS Languages is being managed by two News Controllers – Output and Content. This new structure seeks to refine the editorial purpose and USP of each of the 42 Language service in target markets, ensure that the BBC is known for distinctive and original content and that well-produced stories from all over the world are shared as widely as possible across the BBC.
As part of a team of Assistant Editors in Newsgathering and Deployments, you will help lead the gathering, production and delivery of digital-first innovative journalism. You will need a detailed understanding of WS Languages and the key stakeholders and be familiar with the future strategy of BBC News.

Main Responsibilities

• To support, and deputize when necessary, the Newsgathering and Deployments Senior News Editor across a range of editorial and management responsibilities
• To manage deployments in hostile environments with quick clear decision making in breaking news scenarios
• To have creative approaches to how teams will gather value-added content in line with our digital-first priority and audience needs
• To attract and retain talent, spotting opportunities to build profiles and reputation of the BBC, regular feedback sessions to develop on air and production talent
• To lead, manage and motivate correspondents, bilingual reporters, field producers, freelancers to produce original, distinctive multi-platform content
• To ensure the safety of deployments, providing safety and risk assessment advice in collaboration with the BBC High Risk team

Are you the right candidate?

• Excellent record of commissioning and producing pan-region editorial projects
• Experience in the logistics of deployment such as in high risk environments: risk assessments, budget management and staff safety
• Track record of strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Demonstrable experience in managing, directing and motivating staff, including in challenging and high pressured environments
• A clear understanding World Service Languages and of the needs and profile of our target audiences across Languages