BBC WORLD SERVICE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Multi-Media Reporter, BBC Afrique

Reports to: Planning Editor, BBC Afrique

Terms: Local

Job Reference: BBC/TP/471010/14062

Contract Type: Fixed Term – Full Time

Closing Date: 29 October, 2015

Job Category: Journalism

Business Unit: Language Services

Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Overall purpose of the job

Working as BBC Afrique’s reporter based in Yaoundé, this is an exciting opportunity to supply timely, expert and authoritative coverage of news and current affairs events in Cameroon for all BBC platforms including digital, social, mobile, television and radio contributing mainly in French but, where needed, also in English.

Our reports from Cameroon should mirror the expectations as well as the lives of our audiences in Cameroon as well as the rest of Africa. Cameroon is complex and exciting and the BBC’s coverage should ensure that there is meaningful reporting of stories from all corners of the country.

Principal Accountabilities

To provide timely, expert and authoritative news coverage and analysis on Cameroon and surrounding countries, fully observing BBC Editorial Guidelines.

To advise BBC Africa about news topics and events on a regular basis.

To act within the framework of overall BBC coverage, especially by reporters and producers in the region working for BBC Africa: to maintain co-operative relations and ensure coverage forms part of a coherent overall offer.

To supply material for all platforms in French and, where needed, English.

To follow safety requirements and instructions, especially in relation to emergencies; and to report any accidents, dangerous situations or defects in safety arrangements.

To carry out all BBC instructions regarding business expenditure, including timely and accurate filing of expenses claims.

Digital & Broadcast Coverage

To broadcast and provide content in French and where needed, English, on news topics and events (political, business, technological, social, cultural, scientific, sport, etc.) in a manner which is timely, authoritative, lively and interesting and readily understandable by a non-specialist audience.

To alert editors to breaking news and be ready to file accurate, immediate on-the-spot reports.

To be prepared to check and advise against coverage when news agencies or other organisations’ reports are unreliable.

To help provide contact numbers, interviewees, set up discussion programmes, and provide other digital and programme material to the BBC.

To maintain regular and clear communication with BBC Africa and Newsgathering ensuring the BBC Africa Hub is briefed on the reporter’s movements and contact numbers at all times.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential

• Recent and relevant experience as reporter and/or journalist, both in originating material and editing the work of others. A thorough knowledge of Congolese affairs together with an understanding of international affairs.
• Up to date and relevant French language skills having fluent broadcastable and written French. Authoritative microphone voice and ability to communicate effectively to listeners in French.
• A good level of English.
• A demonstrable interest in and presence on social media. A knowledge of and aptitude for media technology skills including video and still photography production.
• Proven skills in filing despatches and providing online analysis. Ability to produce two-ways and make television and radio packages.
• Excellent independent and balanced editorial judgement.
• A thorough familiarity with the region and an in depth knowledge of the audience requirements, and a good understanding of youth issues and the media interests of various age groups.
• Ability to convey story and programme ideas and to contribute fully to the planning process.

Desirable

• A thorough knowledge of the BBC Editorial Guidelines.
• Good knowledge of the output of the World Service and its aims and objectives and the programme needs of other parts of the BBC.
• Working knowledge of any of Kiswahili, Hausa, Somali, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda or Arabic.

SOFT SKILLS

• Ability to learn new skills, both technical and editorial, and to accept feedback willingly.
• A record of demonstrating good interpersonal skills and an understanding of the importance of working as a part of a team, especially at a distance, as well as working independently.
• Ability to gain and maintain good co-operation with other BBC personnel both in London and in the field, and to forge a collaborative, flexible and communicative relationship with the other BBC personnel in the region
• Ability to remain calm when working to deadlines, apply sensible work priorities and pace yourself through deployments.

COMPETENCIES

The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

Editorial Judgement - demonstrates balanced and objective judgement based on a thorough understanding of BBC Editorial Guidelines, target audience, programme and department objectives. Makes the right editorial decisions, taking account of conflicting views where necessary. Ability to explain domestic and regional stories to a pan Africa and international audience.

Creative Thinking - able to transform creative ideas into practical reality. Can look at existing situations and problems in novel ways and come up with creative solutions.

Planning and organisation - able to think ahead in order to establish and efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources.

Communication - able to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.

Influencing and persuading - able 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 behaviour change.

Managing relationships and team working - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.

Resilience - manages personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.

Flexibility - adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, Go to: http://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/job/MultiMedia-Reporter-BBC-Afrique-Cameroon/14062