Business Reporter, BBC Africa at 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 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: Business Reporter, BBC Africa

Job Reference: BBC/TP/653414/54638
Location: Lagos
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Job Category: Journalism
Business Unit: News - W2020 - Africa

Job Introduction

• The BBC is an international multimedia broadcaster on radio, TV, online and social networks with a weekly global audience of 320 million.  BBC World Service in Africa launched a new Business daily and weekly TV programme and innovative digital content alongside existing African business output.
• We are looking for a Journalist (Business Reporter) to join our team in Lagos on an attachment / fixed term contract for 12 months.

Job Purpose

• Originate and produce, as part of a team, a wide variety of news and current affairs content for relevant output.

Role Responsibility

• With excellent English language skills, you will have experience of business reporting, delivering creative output for digital, TV and radio platforms.  
• French language skills would be a distinct advantage. 
• Working closely with the London, Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg bureaux, you will prepare edited material either working in a self-op environment or with a craft editor to produce inserts and packages for the various outlets such as Business TV features, News bulletins, Online or social. 
• You will source and brief contributors for live and edited stories and interview them for broadcast and alert editors to breaking news, being ready to file accurate reports on the spot.

The Ideal Candidate

• The successful candidate will have an excellent command of English language (both written and spoken), with a strong journalistic and business reporting background.  Knowledge of French would be advantageous. 
• You will have a broad understanding of West African news and current affairs, with a good knowledge of the business sector. 
• Strong digital understanding and awareness of the latest broadcast technology and the ability to learn new skills is important. 
• You will have an excellent broadcasting voice and a track record of accuracy and impartiality. 

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Use a range of video, audio and digital equipment and information technology to
• research, write, assemble, edit and deliver outputs in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional standards.
• May be required to present the content on radio, TV or online. This might be live or recorded.
• May include the production and presentation of programmes. This might be live or recorded.
• Exercise editorial judgment in developing story ideas and producing accurate and impartial journalism.
• To undertake pre- and post-production and studio work, live and pre-recorded. Use a range of video, audio and digital equipment and information technology to research, write, assemble, edit and deliver programmes in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional standards.
• To liaise closely with other team members and with other departments in the BBC, to ensure that output material is shared, duplication is avoided, and best practice is upheld.
• Take a lead within a team setting or on delivering a specific piece of journalism or project as appropriate.
• To tailor different news treatments for different audiences ensuring that the output reflects the audiences we serve.
• To prioritise and plan activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources available.
• To produce engaging packages through a range of production skills.
• Delivering to tight deadlines while maintaining the highest editorial standards.
• At all times to carry out duties in accordance with the BBC health and safety policy.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience
Essential:

• Significant recent experience as a journalist, with a good knowledge of production techniques.
• 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, in order to gather material for broadcast.
• Understands how a team works effectively.
• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
• Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understands how individual differences can benefit the BBC.
• 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.
• An understanding of health and safety procedures and how they apply to broadcasting.

Job Impact
Decision making:

• High level of responsibility and decision making; able to operate alone.
• No managerial responsibility. May be informally supported by junior staff i.e. Researchers, Coordinators and Assistants.

Scope:

• Covers a wide range of journalism activity, producing news content and supporting the production and presentation of programming.

Application Closing Date
8th July, 2021.