Editor, BBC Somali
Job Introduction
The BBC Somali Service is the pre-eminent international broadcaster in the Somali language with a permanent staff of 25 journalists and reporters based in London, Nairobi, Somalia and Washington. Broadcasting since 1957 the service now offers the most trusted Somali news service on radio, online (bbcsomali.com), mobile and social media to our audiences in the Horn of Africa and across the diaspora. The service plans to launch TV news bulletins in 2014. To lead the service, we are looking for an experienced editor to provide the creative leadership and vision needed to develop and deliver a service strategy which ensures we maximise our editorial impact in Africa and beyond.
Salary in the range of £45,000 to £55,000 per annum. 2 year fixed term contract based in London but the intention is that the post will relocate to Nairobi on local salary, terms and conditions.
Role Responsibility
As Editor, BBC Somali you will plan and shape the output of the service ensuring that the team takes full advantage of multilingual and multi-platform opportunities and new product development across the BBC Africa Hub. With the day to day management of staff, resources and budgets under your remit, your responsibilities include the editorial supervision of all BBC Somali output by delivering the highest possible editorial and production standards of multimedia output whilst also making certain that the needs of our audiences are met. As the senior editorial expert on Somali affairs you will distribute materials and expertise throughout the BBC and actively support the coming together of teams within the BBC Africa Hub. With colleagues in our African bureaux you’ll help set the agenda for all BBC Africa morning output and support effective communication between the bureaux and London based programmes such as Newsday and Focus on Africa Radio and TV.
The Ideal Candidate
Complete fluency in Somali and English are essential to this role. We also need your sound editorial and political judgement and your significant recent experience as a broadcast journalist in a senior editorial role which demonstrates your ability to originate creative and interesting output ideas. You will have excellent people management skills and have a clear and authoritative communication style. With your thorough and up to date knowledge of news and current affairs in East Africa, the Horn of Africa and the Somali diaspora, you will be aware of the changing needs of the audience and the media environment so that you can shape output accordingly. You will also be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of digital technology and social media.