BBC Media Action’s communication projects are rooted in local people’s experiences and understanding. Our extensive research programme - called "world class” by the UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID) - provides insight into audiences’ lives to ensure that our projects reflect their needs and circumstances. We also use our data to monitor how effectively our programmes engage people and stimulate change; lessons learned are then built into future projects. To share our findings and learning as widely as possible, we publish policy and research reports and briefings to inform communication for development practitioners and policy-makers. Since we are not funded by the licence fee, none of this work would be possible without the backing of our generous donors - governments, foundations, corporations and individuals. In Nigeria, BBC Media Action run a number of multiplatform and capacity-strengthening projects including health radio shows tackling maternal and neonatal health, HIV and AIDS and pneumonia and diarrhoea. A long-running radio drama and magazine shows in both Hausa and Pidgin English address governance issues.
Purpose of the Role
- The Regional Journalism team is one of the most strategic teams of the new regional operating model of World Service.
- It drives both reach and impact by pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation in our journalism and storytelling.
- It is a talented, risk-averse content production hub of world class content for various platforms and audiences.
- The Senior News Editor will be an experienced and courageous editorial leader who protects and enhances the BBC’s reputation as the world’s most trusted news organisation and pushes the boundaries of bold and impactful storytelling in a digital and social first era.
Key Responsibilities and Impact
- Have a solid track record in managing deployments in hostile environments, quick clear decision making in breaking news scenarios
- Be highly skilled at managing numerous and diverse issues under tight timescales, managing competing priorities and leading on our digital-first strategy
- With other senior staff managing editorial operations across Africa – you will set and deliver a clear editorial strategy for commissioning, gathering and reporting the news and current affairs
- Have expert knowledge of our audience’s needs, current market trends and challenges, and deep knowledge of newsgathering digital and output processes across the whole of the BBC, as well as that of competitors.
- Experience of solving complex editorial and legal challenges, managing significant budgets and understanding key financial drivers.
- Have experience of managing staff across locations, having nurtured talent and be internally and/or externally recognized as a promoter of diversity and inclusion
- Set and deliver a clear editorial strategy for content production and rollout to maximize reach and impact.
Skills and Experience
Essential Criteria:
- Substantial experience of journalism and production, as well as proven editorial judgement and substantial experience of managing editorial and operational staff and facilities in a daily news environment.
- Demonstrates balanced and impartial judgement. Makes the right editorial decisions with guidance.
- Demonstrates proficiency in the use of broadcast and digital technology and stays current with developments in this field.
- Ability to foster creativity and experimentation, shows openness to new ways of doing things and demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC
- Ability to think strategically and describe the concept in a way which motivates others towards that goal – able to convert long term aims into short and medium term goals.
Desired but not Required:
- In addition to full proficiency in English, have a working knowledge of one or more of the relevant languages that the BBC operates in across Africa.
- Ability to edit high quality audio and video content
Method of Application
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