Video Journalist, BBC Somali Service

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: C
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time 
DEPARTMENT: BBC News 
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 Somali 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 Somali, BBC Afaan Oromo, BBC Tigrinya and BBC Amharic under a single editorial leadership structure for the first time.

BBC Somali is one of the most trusted international news services for Somali-speaking audiences in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and across a substantial and highly engaged diaspora. It is a service with strong editorial heritage and, under this new structure, significant opportunity: the transformation to a digital-first, video-led operation that can reach a new generation of Somali audiences who consume news primarily through smartphones, YouTube and social media.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Research, write, shoot, edit and deliver high-quality multimedia content across radio, digital, podcast and online platforms, ensuring output meets the highest editorial and production standards.
• Independently produce complete journalism packages, undertaking all aspects of pre-production, production and post-production using a range of audio, video and digital tools.
• Exercise strong editorial judgment to identify, develop and deliver accurate, impartial and engaging stories tailored to the needs of different audiences.
• Present and produce live or pre-recorded content across a range of BBC platforms, including radio, visualised podcasts and online services.
• Collaborate effectively with editors, colleagues and wider BBC teams to share content, avoid duplication, uphold best practice and contribute to successful project delivery.
• Prioritise and manage workloads effectively, delivering high-quality journalism to tight deadlines while making best use of available resources.
• Contribute to team development by leading projects where appropriate, mentoring colleagues, sharing technical expertise and maintaining compliance with BBC health and safety standards.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Significant journalism experience, with strong expertise in multimedia production, including self-shooting, video editing and preparing content for broadcast and digital platforms.
• Sound editorial judgment and a strong understanding of BBC editorial standards, news values, audience needs and current affairs coverage.
• Proven ability to originate, develop and deliver compelling news stories, using a range of technologies to gather and produce content.
• Excellent writing, editing and translation skills, with the ability to create accurate, engaging and audience-focused content across multiple media formats.
• Fluency in spoken and written Somali and English, with the ability to write, sub-edit and present professionally in both languages.
• Strong planning, organisational and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines and work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Adaptable and resilient under pressure, with knowledge of audience analytics and data-led content strategies to optimise performance and drive engagement across diverse audiences.