Career Opportunities at The BBC World Service

Job Reference: BBC/TP/7218/29171
Division: BBC World Service
Reports to: Yoruba Editor
Local conditions
Working pattern: Continuing Contract
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
Job Category: Journalism

Job Introduction

• The BBC World Service is embarking on an exciting journey with unprecedented investment in digital content for Africa and your role will be critical to us in meeting our ambitions.
• At the BBC, we believe our mission is to inform, educate and connect the audiences from Africa to the rest of the world. BBC Yoruba digital service aims to deliver our journalism in a lively and engaging fashion, with a focus on interactivity and the promotion of content on social media and across all platforms.
• As one of our video journalist you’ll have a crucial role in leading our engagement with the audience. By joining BBC Yoruba, you’ll be a part of the new team including Pidgin and Igbo, will serve our audiences in Nigeria and West Africa. They will be based in Lagos, working alongside our operation in Abuja from where the BBC currently produces its Hausa service output. There is a strong emphasis on reaching and connecting with young audiences.
• You're creative and versatile journalist, with a strong understanding of what makes good digital video and how video is consumed on digital platforms. We're looking for producer who is passionate evangelist about digital storytelling. As the digital landscape is changing you would need to be as nimble as the technologies.
• You will need sound editorial judgement, understanding Africa news agenda, ability to tell complex stories in an engaging way, sharp editing skills and the ability respond to breaking news. You will be adept with technology, quickly pick up new skills and turn ideas into engaging storytelling. All candidates will be expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of digital platforms as well as video editing skills.

Job Purpose

• 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 Yoruba platforms. To ensure that any output material for which the post holder is responsible meets the standards required by the BBC

Main Duties

• Work with other members of the Yoruba and Nigeria team, and the wider BBC Africa newsroom, to identify and produce creative and innovative video news content.
• To originate innovative formats for BBC Pidgin 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 Yoruba 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.
• 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.

Skills and Experience

• A full command and up to date knowledge of written and spoken Yoruba
• 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 social-first 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.

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 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 behavior 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

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Job Reference: BBC/TP/7218/29167
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
Reports to: Editor BBC Yourba
Department: Yoruba
Job Category: Journalism

Context

• The BBC World Service is embarking on an exciting journey with unprecedented investment in digital content for Africa and your role will be critical to us in meeting our ambitions.
• At the BBC, we believe our mission is to inform, educate and connect the audiences from Africa to the rest of the world. BBC Yoruba digital service aims to deliver our journalism in a lively and engaging fashion, with a focus on interactivity and the promotion of content on social media and across all platforms.
• As one of our senior social media journalists you’ll have a crucial role in leading our engagement with the audience. By joining BBC Yoruba, you’ll be a part of the new team including Pidgin and Igbo, will serve our audiences in Nigeria and West Africa.
• They will be based in Lagos, working alongside our operation in Abuja from where the BBC currently produces its Hausa service output. There is a strong emphasis on reaching and connecting with young audiences.

Role Responsibility

• You must have demonstrable experience of working on social media platforms, along with excellent editorial experience and strong writing skills. You will lead the day-to-day running of the BBC Yoruba social media platforms. The successful candidate will be helping to grow our audience reach and engagement, as well as referrals to our content across all platforms. You will report line to the BBC Yoruba Editor. You will provide best practice guidance for the team’s social media activity, using feedback from performance data to drive success.
• The Senior Social Media Journalist’s task is to use social media effectively to spot the news as it breaks, curate and cultivate user generated content, identify viral content, develop and manage onsite communities and offsite social presences, with the aim of maximising reach and awareness. You will ensure that the social offer is engaging, coherent, upholds BBC News’s editorial values and further establishes BBC Yoruba as a ground breaking interactive site especially amongst young audiences.
• To lead and develop a fresh and innovative creative approach to curating, publishing and editing stories for BBC Yoruba social media platforms.
• To create content for social- videos, online, gifs, pictures, Facebook lives , instagram Stories, etc
• To manage the interactive offer across all social media platforms.
• To be up to date with the new trends on social media and react accordingly.
• Test and provide feedback on new social tools. Provide training where necessary.
• You’ll be working with colleagues in the regional service but you’ll also be expected to produce stories that have global and pan African appeal
• Ensure all content published and commissioned adheres to BBC's Editorial Guidelines and commitment to the editorial aims of BBC News.
• You’ll be expected to represent your service and can be called on to share regional knowledge across BBC outlets, including on air
• Contribute to regular service audits with colleagues and stakeholders to review core output

The Ideal Candidate

• You will have a successful record of working in an online production environment with demonstrable experience and enthusiasm for social media and interactivity, an excellent knowledge of developments in social media and related areas.
• You’ll have an eye for a good story, the ability to tell digital stories in Yoruba and English and have video editing skills. It would advantageous if your language skills extended to Igbo, Hausa or Pidgin.
• You must have strong editorial judgment and a solid understanding of journalistic ethics and libel laws. You will have the ability to create new form/short form content from the development of an idea through to editing and publishing and have experience producing content specifically for social platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
• You must have a self-learner approach to new technologies and an understanding of their potential is essential.

Key skills/Experience Required:

• Excellent written and spoken Yoruba language skills
• Enthusiasm and curiosity for and an in-depth understanding of digital and social media, above all with regard to global journalism.
• Experience of creating high quality copy and create assets (images, gifs, video) that can be used across social media channels in accordance with channel priorities.
• An understanding of the broader digital landscape in Africa and a proven interest in keeping up to date with developments in social media.
• Proven record of using social media effectively to engage audiences
• Good knowledge of Facebook and Instagram, particularly around posting formats and best practice, engagement and technical issues.
• Evidence of sound editorial and community judgement as well as an understanding of the power of online communities.
• Strong editorial judgment and a solid understanding of journalistic ethics and libel laws.
• Experience of working on youth content
• Good knowledge of social media optimization, analytics and newsgathering tools used by the BBC
• The ability to plan and organise time and resources effectively and to manage projects to conclusion according to deadlines.

Competencies
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.

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 programming through a detailed understanding of the requirements of the broadcast 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 by managing emotions in the face of setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by professionalism, 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 behavior change.

Managing relationships and team working:

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

go to method of application »

Job Reference: BBC/TP/7218/29166

Department: Igbo
Reports to:  Editor BBC Igbo
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
Job Category: Journalism

Context

• The BBC World Service is embarking on an exciting journey with unprecedented investment in digital content for Africa and your role will be critical to us in meeting our ambitions.
• At the BBC, we believe our mission is to inform, educate and connect the audiences from Africa to the rest of the world. BBC Igbo digital service aims to deliver our journalism in a lively and engaging fashion, with a focus on interactivity and the promotion of content on social media and across all platforms
• As one of our senior social media journalists you’ll have a crucial role in leading our engagement with the audience. By joining BBC Igbo, you’ll be a part of the new team including Pidgin and Yoruba, will serve our audiences in Nigeria and West Africa.
• They will be based in Lagos, working alongside our operation in Abuja from where the BBC currently produces its Hausa service output. There is a strong emphasis on reaching and connecting with young audiences.

Role Responsibility

• You must have demonstrable experience of working on social media platforms, along with excellent editorial experience and strong writing skills
• You will lead the day-to-day running of the BBC Yoruba social media platforms. The successful candidate will be helping to grow our audience reach and engagement, as well as referrals to our content across all platforms. You will report line to the BBC Igbo Editor
• You will provide best practice guidance for the team’s social media activity, using feedback from performance data to drive success.
• The Senior Social Media Journalist’s task is to use social media effectively to spot the news as it breaks, curate and cultivate user generated content, identify viral content, develop and manage onsite communities and offsite social presences, with the aim of maximising reach and awareness
• You will ensure that the social offer is engaging, coherent, upholds BBC News’s editorial values and further establishes BBC Igbo as a ground breaking interactive site especially amongst young audiences.

The Ideal Candidate

• You will have a successful record of working in an online production environment with demonstrable experience and enthusiasm for social media and interactivity, an excellent knowledge of developments in social media and related areas.
• You’ll have an eye for a good story, the ability to tell digital stories in Igbo and English and have video editing skills. It would advantageous if your language skills extended to Yoruba, Hausa or Pidgin
• You must have strong editorial judgment and a solid understanding of journalistic ethics and libel laws
• You will have the ability to create new form/short form content from the development of an idea through to editing and publishing and have experience producing content specifically for social platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You
• must have a self-learner approach to new technologies and an understanding of their potential is essential.

Role Responsibilities

• To lead and develop a fresh and innovative creative approach to curating, publishing and editing stories for BBC Igbo social media platforms.
• To create content for social- videos, online, gifs, pictures, Facebook lives , instagram Stories, etc
• To manage the interactive offer across all social media platforms.
• To be up to date with the new trends on social media and react accordingly.
• Test and provide feedback on new social tools. Provide training where necessary.
• You’ll be working with colleagues in the regional service but you’ll also be expected to produce stories that have global and pan African appeal
• Ensure all content published and commissioned adheres to BBC's Editorial Guidelines and commitment to the editorial aims of BBC News.
• You’ll be expected to represent your service and can be called on to share regional knowledge across BBC outlets, including on air
• Contribute to regular service audits with colleagues and stakeholders to review core output

Key Skills/Experience Required:

• Excellent written and spoken Igbo language skills
• Enthusiasm and curiosity for and an in-depth understanding of digital and social media, above all with regard to global journalism.
• Experience of creating high quality copy and create assets (images, gifs, video) that can be used across social media channels in accordance with channel priorities.
• An understanding of the broader digital landscape in Africa and a proven interest in keeping up to date with developments in social media.
• Proven record of using social media effectively to engage audiences
• Good knowledge of Facebook and Instagram, particularly around posting formats and best practice, engagement and technical issues.
• Evidence of sound editorial and community judgement as well as an understanding of the power of online communities.
• Strong editorial judgment and a solid understanding of journalistic ethics and libel laws.
• Experience of working on youth content
• Good knowledge of social media optimization, analytics and newsgathering tools used by the BBC
• The ability to plan and organise time and resources effectively and to manage projects to conclusion according to deadlines.

Competencies
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.

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 programming through a detailed understanding of the requirements of the broadcast 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 by managing emotions in the face of setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by professionalism, 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 behavior change.

Managing relationships and team working:

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