Journalist - Social Media at BBC

Job Purpose

• Originate and produce, as part of a team, a wide variety of news and current affairs content for relevant output.

Key Responsibilitues 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 online. 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 anddigital 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.

Scope:

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

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.

The Ideal Candidate

• The successful candidate will be a fluent Hausa speaker and writer, with a very good level of English.
• A keen interest in current affairs and digital market developments in Nigeria and other West African countries is essential.  
• An excellent working knowledge of social media platforms is required, together with experience of practical newsgathering.
• You will have a good knowledge of social media optimization, analytics and newsgathering tools.  A strong editorial and production background is also important.
• This role is based in Abuja but requires traveling to other locations.
• The selected person will be required to work closely with the BBC digital teams in Abuja, Lagos and Nairobi.
• The candidate must be a team player and should be ready to adjust to the requirements of  field news reporting if and when required.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience
Essential:

• 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 and the audience.
• Ability to use technology as required, in order to gather material for broadcast.
• Understands how a team works effectively.
• 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, 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 and safety procedures and how they apply to broadcasting.