Journalist, Afaan Oromo

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• BBC Afaan Oromo 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 Afaan Oromo, BBC Somali, BBC Tigrinya and BBC Amharic under a single editorial leadership structure for the first time.
• BBC Afaan Oromo serves the Afaan Oromo speaking community across Ethiopian, Kenya and within a substantial and engaged global diaspora. BBC Afaan Oromo provides independent, impartial journalism, under the new structure, significant opportunity: the transformation to a digital-first, video-led operation that can reach a new generation of Afaan Oromo audiences who consume news primarily through smartphones, YouTube and social media.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

The main focus of the Video Journalist role is to routinely self-shoot and edit complete news packages, or equivalent. The post holder will also be expected to undertake any of the key responsibilities included below.

• Research, write, shoot, assemble and edit high-quality journalism across video, audio, radio, podcasts and digital platforms, using a range of production equipment and technology.
• Self-shoot and edit complete packages independently, carrying out pre-production, studio and post-production work for both live and pre-recorded output.
• Present and produce content for Afaan Oromo radio, visualised podcasts, online platforms and programmes, as required, in both live and recorded formats.
• Exercise strong editorial judgement, developing original story ideas and producing accurate, impartial and engaging journalism tailored to the needs of different audiences.
• Plan and prioritise effectively, managing deadlines, resources and competing requirements while consistently maintaining the highest editorial, professional and safety standards.
• Collaborate closely with the Afaan Oromo Assistant Editor, wider teams and BBC departments to share content, avoid duplication and promote best practice across output.
• Take the lead on specific journalism or projects when required, supporting team development by sharing expertise, training and mentoring colleagues, particularly in video editing.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Ability to gather and prepare audio and video material for use on any service, recognising the distinct requirements of different types of output, self-shooting and editing routinely as the main focus of the role.
• Significant recent experience as a journalist, with a good knowledge of production techniques - especially self-shooting and editing with a strong record of originating and developing stories for news programmes.
• 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, gathering material for broadcast.
• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
• 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.
• Fluency in written and spoken Afaan Oromo and English with the ability to write, sub-edit and present in both languages to a high professional standard.
• Knowledge about data-driven approach to content development, with experience using audience analytics and platform insights to inform commissioning, optimise performance and grow engagement, particularly among younger and female audiences.