Journalist, Afaan Oromo

Job Details

JOB DETAILS
JOB BAND: C 
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time 
DEPARTMENT: BBC News, Afaan Oromo
LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya

Any offer of employment with the BBC will be conditional upon you have the right to work in Kenya.

 
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

BBC Afaan Oromo is now transforming into a story-led model built around two complementary editorial streams: On the Day and On Demand. Therefore, the purpose of the role is primarily to initiate, gather and produce material for news, current affairs and general programming. Routinely self-shooting and editing complete packages for use across multiple platforms.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

BBC World Service is creating a new Horn of Africa Language Services Unit in Nairobi, bringing together BBC Afaan Oromo, BBC Somali, BBC Tigrinya and BBC Amharic under a single editorial leadership structure for the first time. 
BBC Afaan Oromo serves the Afaan Oromo speaking community across Ethiopian, Kenya and within a substantial and engaged global diaspora. BBC Afaan Oromo provides independent, impartial journalism, under the new structure, significant opportunity: the transformation to a digital-first, video-led operation that can reach a new generation of Afaan Oromo audiences who consume news primarily through smartphones, YouTube and social media.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

The main focus of the Video Journalist role is to routinely self-shoot and edit complete news packages, or equivalent. The post holder will also be expected to undertake any of the key responsibilities included below.

•    Research, write, shoot, assemble and edit high-quality journalism across video, audio, radio, podcasts and digital platforms, using a range of production equipment and technology.
•    Self-shoot and edit complete packages independently, carrying out pre-production, studio and post-production work for both live and pre-recorded output.
•    Present and produce content for Somali radio, visualised podcasts, online platforms and programmes, as required, in both live and recorded formats.
•    Exercise strong editorial judgement, developing original story ideas and producing accurate, impartial and engaging journalism tailored to the needs of different audiences.
•    Plan and prioritise effectively, managing deadlines, resources and competing requirements while consistently maintaining the highest editorial, professional and safety standards.
•    Collaborate closely with the Afaan Oromo Assistant Editor, wider teams and BBC departments to share content, avoid duplication and promote best practice across output.
•    Take the lead on specific journalism or projects when required, supporting team development by sharing expertise, training and mentoring colleagues, particularly in video editing.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

•    Ability to gather and prepare audio and video material for use on any service, recognising the distinct requirements of different types of output, self-shooting and editing routinely as the main focus of the role.
•    Significant recent experience as a journalist, with a good knowledge of production techniques – especially self-shooting and editing with a strong record of originating and developing stories for news programmes.
•    Demonstrates sound editorial and policy decisions based upon a clear understanding of the BBC’s distinctive news agenda, the requirements of news and current affairs coverage and the audience.
•    Ability to use technology as required, gathering material for broadcast.
•    Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
•    Effective planning and organising skills, ability to concentrate on several areas of work at one time, delivering consistently to deadlines and reacting positively to changes and conflicting priorities.
•    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.
•    Fluency in written and spoken Afaan Oromo and English with the ability to write, sub-edit and present in both languages to a high professional standard.
•    Knowledge about data-driven approach to content development, with experience using audience analytics and platform insights to inform commissioning, optimise performance and grow engagement, particularly among younger and female audiences.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.