JOB DETAILS JOB BAND: D CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time DEPARTMENT: BBC World Service LOCATION: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Tanzaniajob listings Local terms and conditions We welcome conversations about flexible working arrangements and encourage you to share your preferences in your application, should you wish to do so—though there is no requirement to do so at this stage. The topic of flexible working will be revisited and explored in depth during the offer stage. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE BBC Swahili stands as one of the BBC World Service’s most prominent and rapidly expanding language services, delivering content to millions of Swahili-speaking audiences across East Africa and beyond. Broadcasting through radio, television, and digital channels, the service delivers independent and impartial journalism to listeners and viewers who frequently face barriers to accessing reliable news due to political constraints, media censorship, and the spread of misinformation. BBC Swahili is evolving into a narrative-driven model, structured around two integrated editorial streams—On the Day and On Demand. The Senior Journalist for Visual Podcast and Livestreaming operates within the On Demand division, reporting to the Assistant Editor, and plays a pivotal role in one of the most ambitious and high-profile initiatives of the transformation effort. WHY JOIN THE TEAM BBC Swahili is introducing a groundbreaking daily visual podcast—a meticulously produced, half-hour program tailored to engage young female audiences who predominantly access news via video and on-demand services. Unlike traditional radio programs repurposed for video, this initiative is a fully independent editorial product, conceived from inception with a unique visual identity, a presenter-driven format, and a distinct editorial tone. It will be released five times each week. The position also spearheads BBC Swahili’s livestreaming initiatives across YouTube and other social media channels, delivering real-time coverage of significant news events while cultivating audience engagement to position BBC Swahili as the go-to source for breaking and evolving stories. We seek a journalist equally adept in production expertise and editorial acumen—an individual who grasps what captivates young female audiences in video content, excels at establishing and overseeing a daily production workflow, and possesses the technical proficiency to oversee live broadcasts in high-pressure, fast-changing news settings. YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT: Spearhead the complete production lifecycle of BBC Swahili’s innovative visualized podcast, a pre-recorded, half-hour program released five times weekly, addressing trending topics and social issues that resonate with young female audiences. Develop and sustain the podcast’s editorial identity in collaboration with the Assistant Editor, On Demand, crafting a unique tone, visual aesthetic, and editorial voice tailored to resonate with a young Swahili-speaking audience. Develop and oversee the weekly production workflow, encompassing story curation, scriptwriting, filming, editing, quality assurance, and scheduling, ensuring seamless distribution across all platforms. Plan and execute BBC Swahili’s livestreamed coverage for significant news events across YouTube and other social media channels, providing real-time updates and engaging audiences globally. Develop and oversee live digital show formats tailored for online audiences, incorporating real-time audience participation, continuous updates, expert discussions, and seamless social media integration. Uphold unwavering adherence to BBC editorial standards across all podcast and livestream content, rigorously applying the BBC Editorial Guidelines while proactively consulting the Assistant Editor, On Demand on potential editorial risks. Work collaboratively with the On Demand and On the Day teams to exchange creative story proposals and maintain strong alignment between podcast and livestreaming content and BBC Swahili’s broader editorial strategy. YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
Demonstrated proficiency in creating, directing, and editing high-quality video content, encompassing filming, lighting, audio capture, post-production editing, and graphic integration for digital platforms. Experienced in orchestrating and executing live video broadcasts across digital platforms, encompassing the oversight of technical configurations, guidance of presenters, coordination with field reporters, and real-time editorial decision-making. We seek a candidate with strong expertise in video editing software—such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or comparable tools—and a solid grasp of livestreaming platforms and related technologies, including YouTube Studio, mix, or alternatives. The ideal individual will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of tailoring video content to meet the technical and aesthetic demands of diverse platforms, including adjusting aspect ratios, ensuring proper captioning, designing engaging thumbnails, optimizing titles and descriptions for YouTube SEO, and adapting content for vertical formats on TikTok and Instagram Reels. Experienced in leading and managing a team of video journalists or producers, with a strong track record in providing creative direction, overseeing performance evaluations, and fostering staff development. Demonstrated expertise in creating and executing video strategies for digital news platforms, with a proven track record of driving audience expansion or enhancing engagement metrics. Demonstrated success in commissioning or creating video content that has significantly expanded audience reach, with a notable emphasis on engaging younger female viewers. Fluent scripting, writing, and sub-editing proficiency in both Swahili and English is essential. Disclaimer This document outlines the key responsibilities and essential functions of the role, highlighting the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to perform the job effectively. It is not meant to serve as an exhaustive or detailed account of every duty associated with the position. Postjob service If extended an offer of employment, the BBC will undertake comprehensive Employment screening procedures, encompassing reference checks, Eligibility to work verifications, and, where relevant, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media assessments. Satisfactory completion of these screening measures is a prerequisite for the role’s formal confirmation. Prior to your commencement date, you might be required to disclose any unspent convictions or pending police charges in accordance with our Recruitment Policy. This enables us to evaluate any necessary support measures and assess potential risks. Non-disclosure could result in the rescission of your employment offer. For any general queries, please
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