BBC Media Action Job Vacancies in Nigeria, 19th December 2016

Africa’s media landscape is changing. It is one of the fastest developing news markets in the world with mobile technology transforming lives, internet connectivity increasing, the radio market remaining relatively strong and Television migrating from analogue to digital.

By joining BBC Hausa, you’ll be a part of the team for a leading international broadcaster the BBC World Service which reaches more than 90 million people in Africa weekly on Radio, TV, Online (language sites and bbcafrica.com), Mobile and Social Media. We broadcast to Africa in seven languages: English, French, Hausa, Kinyarwanda/Kirundi, Somali, and Swahili. BBC Hausa is the lead provider of radio and digital news in Nigeria and operates the one of Africa’s top Hausa digital sites.

BBC Media Action requires an experienced and dynamic candidate with a highly developed understanding of donor funding and a proven track- record of managing multiple projects to lead our in-house finance team, to fill the position of:


Job Title: Broadcast Journalist (Video), BBC Hausa Service

Job Reference: BBC/TP/672267/19137
Location: Abuja
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time
Job Category: Journalism
Reports to: Editor Hausa Service
Grade: Local terms & condition Grade 7
Working pattern: Continuing Contract

Job Description

• Are you a creative and versatile journalist, with a strong understanding of what makes good digital video and how video is consumed on digital platforms? We're looking for journalist who is passionate evangelist about digital video storytelling.
• You’ll have eye for a good story and the ability to tell the digital stories in Hausa and English. It would advantageous if you also boasted language skills in Igbo, Pidgin or Yoruba.
• All candidates will be expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of digital platforms as well as video editing skills.

• Work with other members of the Hausa team and the wider BBC Africa newsroom to identify and produce creative and innovative video news content.
• Re-version BBC material with a mobile audience in mind.
• Research, storyboard and produce stories.
• Create headlines and video teasers to promote our stories and reach as wide an audience as possible.
• Contribute ideas and angles to meetings on how to cover the main news of the day.
• To show visual creativity in the use of pictures and graphics to illustrate and explain fast-moving events and complex stories.
• Understand the video requirements of different social platforms.
• Working to short deadlines for breaking and developing stories.
• All staff may be required to work with or move to other teams, and to have the ability to work across a range of skills and in a flexible manner, and to carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the BBC’s overall standards and values.
• The job holder will be expected to work and think collaboratively at all times -both within World Service and across the wider BBC.

• A full command and up to date knowledge of written and spoken Hausa
• Experience of video production, editing and storytelling.
• In depth understanding of digital and social platforms -the BBC’s and others -and the different ways audiences are consuming news in Africa
• Experience of using video editing software similar to Q-edit or FCPX.
• A good knowledge of English including complete comprehension of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Wide and up to date familiarity with the area/s to which the Service broadcasts including Africa and an in-depth understanding of the area/s history, politics, social issues and culture as well as the changing needs of the audience. An extensive knowledge of the media situation in the target area and the way it is developing.
• Ability to work well with other producers, reporters and teams.
• Proven editorial judgment and flair, able to make sound decisions quickly.
• Knowledge of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and commitment to the editorial aims of BBC News.
• Ability to work well with other producers, reporters and teams.
• Must be able to work well and calmly in a live newsroom environment; handle a rapidly changing news agenda, and have the temperament to enjoy the process.
• Must be able to demonstrate sense of visual awareness as well as technical aptitude.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety policies and practices.

• Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of the decisions made.

• Translates news and current affairs into high quality video content through a detailed understanding of the requirements of digital and social media and possession of the necessary writing, directing and reporting skills.

• Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others.
• Prioritizes and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.

• Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterized by commitment, motivation and energy.

• Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others.
• Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behavior change.

• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
• Works cooperatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.

• Makes the right editorial and policy decisions based upon a clear understanding of the BBC’s distinctive news agenda, the requirements of news and current affairs coverage as well as those of the programme departments.

• You must have demonstrable experience of working on social media platforms, along with excellent editorial experience and strong writing skills. You will lead the day-to-day running of the BBC Hausa social media platforms.
• The successful candidate will be helping to grow our audience reach and engagement, as well as referrals to our content across all platforms.
• You will work with the BBC Hausa digital team with a reporting line to the BBC Hausa Editor and Bureau Editor. You will provide best practice guidance for the teams social media activity, using feedback from performance data to drive success.
• The Senior Social Media Journalists task is to use social media effectively to spot the news as it breaks, curate and cultivate user generated content, identify viral content, develop and manage onsite communities and offsite social presences, with the aim of maximising reach and awareness.
• You will ensure that the social offer is engaging, coherent, upholds BBC Newss editorial values and further establishes BBC Hausa as a ground breaking interactive site especially amongst young audiences.

• To lead and develop a fresh and innovative creative approach to curating, publishing and editing stories for BBC Hausa social media platforms.
• To create content for social- videos, online, gifs, pictures, Facebook lives , instagram Stories, etc
• To manage the interactive offer across all social media platforms.
• To be up to date with the new trends on social media and react accordingly.
• Test and provide feedback on new social tools. Provide training where necessary.
• You’ll be working with colleagues in the regional service but you’ll also be expected to produce stories that have global and pan African appeal
• Ensure all content published and commissioned adheres to BBC's Editorial Guidelines and commitment to the editorial aims of BBC News.
• You’ll be expected to represent your service and can be called on to share regional knowledge across BBC outlets, including on air
• Contribute to regular service audits with colleagues and stakeholders to review core output

• You will have a proven and successful record of working in an online production environment with demonstrable experience and enthusiasm for social media and interactivity, an excellent knowledge of developments in social media and related areas.
• Youll have an eye for a good story, the ability to tell digital stories in Hausa and English and have video editing skills. It would advantageous if your language skills extended to Igbo, Pidgin or Yoruba.
• You must have strong editorial judgement and a solid understanding of journalistic ethics and libel laws.
• You will have the ability to create new form/short form content from the development of an idea through to editing and publishing and have experience producing content specifically for social platforms like Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
• You must have a self-learner approach to new technologies and an understanding of their potential is essential.

• Excellent written and spoken Hausa language skills
• Enthusiasm and curiosity for and an in-depth understanding of digital and social media, above all with regard to global journalism.
• Experience of creating high quality copy and create assets (images, gifs, video) that can be used across social media channels in accordance with channel priorities.
• An understanding of the broader digital landscape in Africa and a proven interest in keeping up to date with developments in social media.
• Proven record of using social media effectively to engage audiences
• Good knowledge of Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter particularly around posting formats and best practice, engagement and technical issues.
• Evidence of sound editorial and community judgement as well as an understanding of the power of online communities.
• Strong editorial judgment and a solid understanding of journalistic ethics and libel laws.
• Experience of working on youth content
• Good knowledge of social media optimization, analytics and newsgathering tools used by the BBC
• The ability to plan and organise time and resources effectively and to manage projects to conclusion according to deadlines.

• Makes the right editorial and policy decisions based upon a clear understanding of the BBC’s distinctive news agenda, the requirements of news and current affairs coverage as well as those of the programme departments.

• Is ready and able to take the initiative, originate action and take responsibility for the outcomes of the decisions made.

• Translates news and current affairs into high quality programming through a detailed understanding of the requirements of the broadcast media and possession of the necessary writing, directing and reporting skills.

• Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others.
• Prioritizes and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.

• Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations.
• Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by professionalism, commitment, motivation and energy.

• Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behavior change.

• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team.