Journalist, BBC Somali at BBC World Service
| Location | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Date Posted | August 1, 2025 |
| Category |
Advertising
Communication Journalism |
| Job Type |
Contract
|
| Currency | KES |
Description
The BBC World Service is the world’s largest international broadcaster, broadcasting radio and television news, speech and discussions in 29 languages to many parts of the world on analogue and digital shortwave platforms, Internet streaming, podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays. It was announced in November 2016 that The BBC World Service will start broa…
Responsibilities
- Create content for a variety of broadcast and digital media platforms, in multiple formats including audio and video. You will use your knowledge of the digital media market to produce interesting news content for our website and social media platforms.
- Present the content on radio and digital. This might be live or recorded.
- Exercise editorial judgment in developing story ideas and producing accurate and impartial journalism.
- 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.
- Tailor different news treatments for different audiences ensuring that the output reflects the audiences we serve.
- Delivering to tight deadlines while maintaining the highest editorial standards.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
- Full command and up to date knowledge of spoken and written Somali language as a first language or equivalent
- A good knowledge of English including complete comprehension of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively
- Significant recent experience as a broadcast journalist for the target area, both in originating ideas and material and, with a good knowledge of production techniques
- Ability to write creatively in an engaging manner, adapt, and produce and translate with accuracy, clarity and style appropriate to differing audiences and forms of media suitable for the Service’s multimedia output.
- Wide, thorough and up to date familiarity with the target area which the service broadcasts and an in-depth understanding of the Somali region’s news and current affairs, history, politics, social issues and culture in addition to good network and contacts with the newsmakers in the region.
DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED
- Ability to shoot and edit videos
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Applying Instructions
Job Description
JOB DETAILS
JOB BAND: C
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Somali, BBC News
LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya
Local terms and conditions apply
We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
There is a golden opportunity to become a Journalist in BBC Somali as we seek to extend its trusted reputation across radio and digital for the next generation. By joining the team, you will receive first-class training and can share your stories with millions of BBC’s global audience.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
The BBC Somali Service operates a digital first strategy, publishing content online and on social media platforms, alongside producing radio news and current affairs programmes in Somali. A career at the BBC offers you an opportunity to tell stories that can change lives and at BBC Africa it is our ambition to showcase the diversity of ideas and aspirations from across the continent.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:
- Create content for a variety of broadcast and digital media platforms, in multiple formats including audio and video. You will use your knowledge of the digital media market to produce interesting news content for our website and social media platforms.
- Present the content on radio and digital. This might be live or recorded.
- Exercise editorial judgment in developing story ideas and producing accurate and impartial journalism.
- 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.
- Tailor different news treatments for different audiences ensuring that the output reflects the audiences we serve.
- Delivering to tight deadlines while maintaining the highest editorial standards.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
- Full command and up to date knowledge of spoken and written Somali language as a first language or equivalent
- A good knowledge of English including complete comprehension of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively
- Significant recent experience as a broadcast journalist for the target area, both in originating ideas and material and, with a good knowledge of production techniques
- Ability to write creatively in an engaging manner, adapt, and produce and translate with accuracy, clarity and style appropriate to differing audiences and forms of media suitable for the Service’s multimedia output.
- Wide, thorough and up to date familiarity with the target area which the service broadcasts and an in-depth understanding of the Somali region’s news and current affairs, history, politics, social issues and culture in addition to good network and contacts with the newsmakers in the region.
DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED
- Ability to shoot and edit videos
Disclaimer
This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.
For any general queries, please contact: bbchr@bbc.co.uk
Information at a Glance
This is your BBC
At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world’s best loved content, and the BBC’s mission to inform, educate and entertain.
Life at BBC
Here you will benefit from:
• Fair pay and flexible benefits specific to your location and contract type.
• Excellent career and professional development.
• Support in your working life.
• A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.
You belong
We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.
We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.
We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.
#BBCPUBLICSERVICE
BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.