Video Journalist, Great Lakes at BBC World Service

Main Responsibilities

• To shoot and edit high-quality video segments for broadcast and digital platforms, ensuring content is visually engaging and adheres to BBC standards. Ensure content is informative, accurate, and engaging, reflecting the diversity of our audience’s experiences and perspectives
• To use appropriate video equipment and technology to capture footage, conduct interviews, and create compelling visuals
• To provide voiceovers for video segments when necessary, ensuring a strong narrative voice that enhances the visual content
• To collaborate with the graphic design and digital teams to create visually appealing web content, social media clips, and promotional materials
• To write clear, concise, and engaging scripts for video reports, ensuring all information is accurate and effectively communicates the intended story
• To attend events, press conferences, and breaking news situations to gather firsthand information and visual documentation
• To present news stories, reports, and features live on air for both visualized radio/podcast and digital video. This includes adapting style and tone to suit different formats and audiences
• To utilize social media to promote video content, engage with audiences, and gather feedback on stories
• To ensure that BBC Editorial principles and all relevant legal, contractual and copyright requirements are met, referring upwards in cases of difficulty or doubt
• To work closely with editorial colleagues, producers, and field reporters to develop and execute story ideas. Participate in team discussions and contribute to the overall editorial direction of Focus on Africa
• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of current affairs, cultural happenings, and developments within Africa and beyond. Analyze trends and issues impacting the continent in order to produce timely and relevant news
• To oversee the digital presence of BBC Great Lakes, including social media platforms 
• To coordinate with other BBC departments and international bureaus to source stories, enhance coverage, and collaborate on cross-platform features
• To build and maintain relationships with correspondents and contributors as needed
• To build and maintain diverse contact lists; compile and distribute information with other members of the team

Are you the right candidate?

• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills in Kinyarwanda, Kirundi and English are all essential 
• Demonstrable experience of producing original short and mid-form videos that have been impactful and reached new audiences and knowledge of social media best practice  
• Strong storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into compelling video narratives
• In-depth knowledge of the news agenda across the Great Lakes region and its diaspora; ability to spot an interesting, shareable story - and generate eye-catching headlines and content to go with it
• Excellent communication and interviewing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse subjects and audiences
• Track record of creativity in the use of pictures, graphics and audio to illustrate and explain fast-moving events and complex stories
• Experience of working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines. A self-starting individual – you will be able to come up with ideas, get them commissioned made and delivered efficiently
• Strong working knowledge of the data and analytics tools available and demonstrable evidence of using them effectively
• Strong research abilities to prepare for broadcasts, with the capability to analyze and distil complex information for audience consumption
• An understanding of and respect for diverse cultural perspectives, enabling thoughtful engagement with various community topics and issues