Senior Broadcast Journalist, Yoruba Service at the BBC World Service

The BBC is an international multimedia broadcaster on radio, TV, online and social networks with a weekly global audience of 320 million. As part of an historic and exciting expansion of BBC Africa, the BBC World Service is launching a new Sports weekly TV programme and innovative digital sport content alongside existing African Sport output.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Broadcast Journalist, Yoruba Service

Job Reference: BBC/TP/788768/22165
Location: Lagos
Department: BBC Yoruba Language Service 
Reports to: Editor, Yoruba Service 
Package: Local
Contract: Continuing

Job Introduction 

• Over the next four years, the BBC World Service will be expanding its multimedia operations in Africa by doubling the number of language services from 6 to 12.
• Three of the new language services, Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin 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. 
• The BBC is looking for a Senior Broadcast Journalist to work across all digital platforms to ensure that the Yoruba Service develops and grows a distinctiveness, character and status in its target area.
• On a day to day basis, you will contribute creative ideas and inspire the team to produce engaging content. Reporting to the Editor Yoruba Service, you will ensure quality and consistency of timely output.
• You will be required to occasionally do some field reporting. 
• Shift work will be required which will include early mornings, late nights, weekends and public holidays. 

Role Responsibility

• The BBC World Service is recruiting for an experienced Senior Broadcast Journalist to work across the new Yoruba Service digital output.
• You will take full editorial responsibility for the timely delivery of the day’s output.
• Reporting to the Editor, your main responsibilities will include leading on the production, creative and timely distribution of all digital content, videos, and innovative editorial projects to serve our Yoruba audiences whilst adhering to the BBC's editorial guidelines and objectives. 
• Working with the Yoruba team, you will be responsible for coming up with creative and innovative ways in storytelling and implementing them for BBC Yoruba especially for online and social media consumption. 
• You must have work authorisation for Nigeria. 

Main Duties

• To Work closely with the Yoruba Editor and SBJ’s of BBC Pidgin and BBC Igbo to plan output and to ensure maximum collaboration and sharing of content.
• To use editorial judgement, creativity and flair to make original and compelling digital content. 
• To motivate teams to come up with original content ideas as well as creative digital treatments
• To keep abreast of evolving (news) stories and emerging trends aimed at the Nigeria audience
• To maintain and improve in the editorial output and in the working practices of BBC Yoruba and the other BBC Africa Languages. 
• To achieve an effective fusion of BBC Yoruba and BBC Africa’s missions and of the audience’s needs.
• To ensure all content conforms to the highest standards, are in line with BBC Editorial Guidelines and are suitable for the audience.
• To encourage and inspire a team of multi-media journalists in the production of lively, interesting and imaginative content, and in maintaining a high level of linguistic and production standards. To help editors with forward planning, devising the rota and other daily staff issues as required. 
• To be involved in building and leading the team. To take part in the recruitment and appraisal process, to integrate new staff, to motivate and supervise members of the team, and to contribute to their training and development
• To be across new technological developments, to ensure that BBC Yoruba makes the best possible use of its opportunities. 
• To be responsible for thinking through and around editorial problems, developing realistic alternative strategies and approaches. 
• To maintain professional journalistic standards of accuracy, impartiality and fair dealing and adhering to the BBC’s Editorial guidelines.
• To show up to date awareness of the competition and mass media markets in which Languages operate.
• In the absence of the editor, to deputise, as required, across the range of duties.

Required Skills & Experience

• Fluency and up to date knowledge of Yoruba and the ability to type quickly and accurately. 
• Fluency in English, written and spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively. 
• Familiarity with digital news production systems and writing with flare for pictures. An understanding of social media is essential. 
• A willingness to learn to operate new technology systems and to be able to adapt to different working methods. 
• A good knowledge of online journalism techniques. 
• An ability to mentor, lead and inspire a team of journalists to bring out the best in them. 
• A demonstrable interest in working in a multimedia environment and in encouraging audience engagement. 
• A thorough knowledge and understanding of Nigerian, African and international current affairs. 
• A good broadcasting voice and the ability to acquire the appropriate presentation style is desirable. 
• A willingness to understand and adopt BBC Editorial Guidelines and to abide by BBC Values. 
• Knowledge of the aims, objectives and standards of BBC World Service and Global News. 

Competencies
The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.