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 multi-million pound expansion of BBC Africa, the BBC World Service is introducing a wide range of new and exciting language and regional content to serve African and global audiences.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: News Editor
Job Reference: BBC/TP/653414/44311 Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Category: Journalism
Business Unit: News - WSG World Service
Division: World Service
Reports to (title): Head of West Africa
Job Purpose
Responsible for managing a small team of Journalists, with editorial responsibility for a small programme or service.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Lead on digital transformation of the service
Develop and maintain high professional standards of journalism, ensuring delivery of high quality news programmes
Determine the content and running order of the programme and lead others on the production of items through to transmission, including assigning, briefing and determining priorities for operational and editorial teams
Continue the development of the programme across social media and digital platforms, exploring the potential for expanding
Responsible for building morale/team spirit within permanent or temporary teams; ensuring the best use of individual skills/abilities. Encouraging team members to think about how to do things better
Sets challenging team and individual objectives and trusts people to get on with them, shares clear expectations about required performance levels, rewards success and addresses performance issues quickly and fairly, treats team members with
Seek ways to increase diversity in our workforce and to ensure that our output reflects the audiences we serve
Assist in the development, commissioning and management of relevant business plans and manage individual programme budgets, ensuring value for money in use of resources
To act as a facilitator of change, clearly communicating and sharing best practices are shared between teams
Foster an environment of productive employee relations and responding to and anticipating challenges from staff, unions and audiences
Responsible for ensuring safe working practices and the observance of BBC’s health and safety regulations, including completing hazard assessments
Additional job specific responsibilities and accountabilities:
A full command and up to date knowledge of Hausa (first or equivalent)
Fluent in English, both in written and spoken form
Deep understanding of digital technology and the internet and real knowledge of the potential of new technology is essential.
A track record of original current affairs journalism on multimedia platforms with an extensive knowledge of the Nigerian media landscape and its needs at a time of fast changing consumption habits by our audiences.
Wide, thorough and up to date familiarity with the areas in Africa to which the Service broadcasts and an in-depth understanding of the areas’ history, politics, social issues and culture as well as the changing needs of the audience.
A thorough knowledge and understanding of news and current affairs in the target areas and a working knowledge of regions of Africa outside your target area. A thorough knowledge of, and interest in, international and British current affairs, as they affect the target areas.
An extensive knowledge of the media situation in the target area and how it is developing. Ability to anticipate changes in the market and to plan and guide the Service’s output accordingly.
Ability to contribute to BBC World Service regional strategy and to function as an effective member of the BBC Africa Direction team.
Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience
Essential:
Either a professional journalist or a senior operational professional with extensive editorial experience of broadcast news and the ability to develop and implement new and innovative approaches to programme structure and content
Proven editorial judgement and flair, able to make sound decisions quickly
A detailed understanding of the latest techniques and technology for newsgathering and production. An ability to use new technologies to create opportunities to enhance output and improve working practices
Ability to work effectively as a member of more than one team. Resolving conflicts as necessary.
Can identify a vision along with the plans which need to be implemented to meet the end goal. Evaluates situations, decisions, issues etc. in the short, medium and longer-term
Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understands how individual differences can benefit the BBC
Able to prioritise and plan activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing, programme budgets and resource requirements
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
Maintains personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy
A thorough knowledge of the BBC’s Guidelines (including Health & Safety) and the editorial considerations and values relating to BBC
Job Impact
Decision making:
High level of responsibility and decision making; able to operate alone.
Scope:
Typically directly manages a group of SBJs and/or a small number of Assistant Editors. Typically responsible for team size under 40 people.