Broadcast Journalist - BBC Igbo at BBC

Job Purpose

• As a BBC Broadcast Journalist you will work creatively across all digital platforms – audio, video and text – to ensure that the Igbo Service output develops and grows a distinctive character and status in its target area.
• On a daily basis, you will engage actively with the audience ensuring consistency of output. You will be required occasionally to do field reporting as required.
• Shift work will be required which will include early mornings, late nights, weekends and public holidays.
• To create bespoke optimized content including social media posts, reports, compilations, interviews, discussions, 'explainers', features video, photos, infographics and other editorial content for social media networks and on all BBC Igbo platforms.
• To ensure that any output material for which the post holder is responsible meets the standards required by the BBC.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Work with other members of the Igbo and Nigeria team, and the wider BBC Africa newsroom, to identify and produce creative and innovative audio, text and video news content.
• To originate innovative formats for BBC Igbo social media posts best suited for each social network, including Facebook and Instagram and optimize these formats using social analytics and then champion the use of successful formats across the team.
• Re-version BBC material with a mobile audience in mind.
• To create multimedia content for publication on social media and the BBC Igbo mobile audiences, as appropriate and to the required specification whilst maintaining professional journalistic standards of accuracy, impartiality and adhering to the BBC's Editorial guidelines.
• Research, storyboard and produce stories.
• Create headlines and video teasers to promote our stories and reach to as wide an audience as possible.
• To show visual creativity in the use of pictures and graphics to illustrate and explain fast-moving events and complex stories.
• Create headlines and video teasers to promote our stories and reach to as wide an audience as possible.
• Contribute ideas and angles to meetings on how to cover the main news of the day.
• To show visual creativity in the use of pictures and graphics to illustrate and explain fast-moving events and complex stories.
• You may be required to travel off base on short reporting trips and assignments.
• To experiment with emerging tools and platforms.
• Working to short deadlines for breaking and developing stories.
• All staff may be required to work with or move to other teams, and to have the ability to work across a range of skills and in a flexible manner, and to carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the BBC’s overall standards and values.
• The job holder will be expected to work and think collaboratively at all times - both within World Service and across the wider BBC.

Job Requirements

• A full command and up to date knowledge of written and spoken Igbo
• Experience of video production, editing and storytelling.
• Experience of using video editing software similar to Q-edit or FCPX.
• In depth understanding of digital and social platforms - the BBC’s and others - and the different ways audiences are consuming news in Africa
• A strong journalistic track record with knowledge of Africa and African affairs.
• Experience in digital journalism content production and audience engagement.
• Ability to work well with other producers, reporters and teams.
• Wide and up to date familiarity with the area/s to which the Service broadcasts including Africa , Nigeria and West African affairs and an in-depth understanding of the area/s history, politics, social issues and culture as well as the changing needs of the audience. An extensive knowledge of the media situation in the target area and the way it is developing.
• Proven editorial judgment and flair, able to make sound decisions quickly.
• Knowledge of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and commitment to the editorial aims of BBC News.
• Must be able to work well and calmly in a live newsroom environment; handle a rapidly changing news agenda, and have the temperament to enjoy the process.
• Must be able to demonstrate sense of visual awareness as well as technical aptitude.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety policies and practices.

Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience

• The successful candidate will have some journalism experience within a media environment. Fluent in Igbo and English (written and spoken), you will have experience of delivering creative output on online platforms.
• Knowledge of local, regional and international news and current affairs is essential.
• You will have knowledge of and recent experience of living in the target area, including a good understanding of the complexities of Nigeria.
• Ability to work under pressure and to react to breaking news is essential.

Job Impact

Decision making

• High level of responsibility and editorial decision making; able to operate alone.
• No managerial responsibility.

Scope

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

Competencies

Decision Making:

• Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and take responsibility for the outcomes of the decisions made.

Imagination / Creative Thinking:

• Translates news and current affairs into high quality video content for Igbo audiences through a detailed understanding of the requirements of digital and social media and possession of the necessary writing, directing and reporting skills.

Planning and organizing:

• Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritizes and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.

Resilience:

• Can maintain personal effectiveness when managing setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterized by commitment, motivation and energy.

Influencing and persuading:

• Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.

Managing relationships and team working:

• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works cooperatively with others to be part of a team.

Editorial Judgment:

• Makes the right editorial and policy decisions based upon a clear understanding of the BBC’s distinctive news agenda, the requirements of news and current affairs coverage as well as those of the programme departments.