Senior Journalist, Africa English at BBC

Job Introduction

Africa English makes programmes with a truly pan African agenda, that report and explain the continent with dynamism, clarity and rigorous journalism.

These include Focus on Africa and The Comb Podcasts as well as Focus on Africa TV.  Collectively, these World Service programmes are some of the most listened and watched on the BBC World service channels and via partners.

If you are excited by telling stories about the African continent to the world and want to be part of a dynamic, diverse, fun and creative team come and work with us.

Job Purpose

• You will work on and help produce content for Focus on Africa Podcast and TV.
• You will come up with original and strong story ideas that can create high impact.
• Research and develop story ideas including finding and setting up contributors.
• Create detailed briefs and work with the presenter(s) to produce interviews and stories in the studio or on location.
• Report and deploy to cover stories as may be required.
• Present the Podcast alongside the Presenter or on your own.
• Drawing from a range of storytelling techniques, to creatively script and produce episodes.
• Use and cultivate news contacts and sources to deliver strong and exclusive stories for the podcast
• Co-ordinate and create digital assets to promote episodes on various digital platforms.
• Write articles and collaborate with other services to promote content.
• Use audio recording equipment, self -operated studios and new innovations to record high-quality audio and interviews.

Are you the right candidate?

• You’ll be a curious and creative storyteller with first class writing skills
• You will have a solid track record as an experienced and self-sufficient producer of podcasts and/or live radio, displaying strong programme-making skills
• You must have sound editorial judgement
• You will have a good grasp of what it takes to make an excellent podcast from finding stories to bringing them to life
• You must be adaptable and self-motivated
• You will have at least a basic knowledge in the practicalities of recording audio to a high standard both in the studio and in the field
• You must be proficient at editing audio
• You must have working knowledge of the geopolitics of Africa and its media landscape and audiences
• Knowledge of sound design is an advantage
• You are an avid podcast listener and closely follow podcast trends and developments both in Africa and internationally.
• You will have a good understanding of effective promotion and cross promotion of podcasts and the ability to take the initiative and generate additional short form or social media content that will drive audience to the podcast. 
• You will have a thorough understanding of BBC producer guidelines, including how they relate to Podcasts and social media
• You will have proficient knowledge of digital and social listening and analytical  tools such as Chartbeat and CrowdTangle