Senior Journalist, Gist at BBC

Job Reference: BBC/TP/653414/51827
Contract: attachment / fixed term contract for nine months
Job family: Journalism
Business Unit: News - W2020 – Africa
Division: Gist Nigeria
Reports to (title): Omotola Adebanjo

Organisation Structure

• The Senior Journalist will report to Omotola Adebanjo, our recently appointed Gist Editor.
• Based in the BBC’s Lagos Bureau on Nigerian terms and conditions of employment this role will support The GIST department.
• Gist is a co-production of BBC Africa with Channels TV in Nigeria to co-produce a lively, weekly current affairs programme for Nigerian audiences. It features an in depth look at strong African stories, look at issues that touch the lives of Nigerians at home and abroad, deliver original storytelling and hard-hitting studio discussions and interviews.

Job Purpose

• Responsible for an area of output, including editorial control, reporting, selection and compilation of material, production, leading teams and planning and implementing effective use of resources.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Responsible for originating and producing stories which may include scripting, editing, outputting, filming and presenting content across a range of BBC output.
• Commission and select relevant materials ensuring they meet expectations of our audiences and adhere to the BBC’s editorial guidelines.
• May be required to undertake on-air reporting, may be required to film and edit material for broadcast where appropriate.
• May include the production and presentation of live or recorded programmes.
• May be required to present live or recorded content on radio, TV or online.
• As required, to allocate work to a team and check progress; ensure the professional contribution of staff and the quality of output.
• Seek ways to increase diversity in our workforce and to ensure that our output reflects the audiences we serve.
• Deliver journalism of the highest standard and within the required timeframe using available resources.
• To act as a facilitator of change, clearly communicating and distributing best practices between teams.
• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience
Essential:

• A high standard of editorial judgment, writing ability and production skills based on substantial
• broadcast journalism experience.
• Maximises opportunities offered by existing and emerging technologies to their fullest extent.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of more than one team. Resolving conflicts as necessary.
• Ability to manage resources, staff, technical facilities and budgets, in order to make challenging
• broadcasting in the most cost-effective manner.
• Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understands how individual differences can benefit the BBC.
• Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources.
• 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.

Job Impact
Decision making:

• Significant level of responsibility. Uses initiative but seeks guidance where necessary.
• No line management responsibility but may mentor more junior staff.

Scope:

• A senior journalist covering a wide range of journalism activity, with significant experience and responsibility for programme/content creation.

Additional Job-specific Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Fluent in English, both in written and spoken form, ability to communicate effectively on a high level.
• Exceptional knowledge of news, in particular news that appeals to a Nigerian audience and excellent news contacts.
• Experience working across all platforms including TV, Digital and Social.
• Proven skills in creating TV news programmes or visual news content to highest standards.
• Strong digital understanding and awareness.
• A full command and up to date knowledge of stories and issues relating to the West Africa region.
• Experience of work in a similar position in a news environment.
• Wide and up-to-date familiarity with the target area and an in-depth understanding of Nigeria history, politics, social issues and culture as well as the changing needs of WA audiences.
• Extensive knowledge of the media situation in the target area and the way it is developing.
• A thorough understanding of the latest developments in storytelling.

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