Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

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...

Focus on Africa is BBC’s flagship news and current affairs programme for our audiences in Africa and those interested in African stories across the world. The programme, across TV, radio and digital/social platforms, aims to provide a comprehensive view of the diverse experiences, cultures, and challenges facing African nations and their people. This includes engaging stories on politics, economics, environment, health, and social issues, along with highlighting achievements and innovations within Africa. Focus on Africa aims to bridge the gap between African societies and global audiences, offering a platform for voices that often go unheard. The programme seeks to foster understanding, promote dialogue, and celebrate the richness of African life by presenting high-quality journalism that motivates, educates, and informs viewers.

Team Info

This role will continue to build a sustainable legacy for an important flagship programme. You will champion innovation in formats and ways of working, ensuring Focus on Africa grows its reach and relevance—particularly among younger and underserved audiences.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Considerable recent experience of editorial leadership in live television and radio production, with focus on Pan-African news
• Demonstrable recent experience of Audiovisual podcast production as well as high-impact digital journalism, that has led to growth in reach and reputation across platforms
• Experience of exercising editorial oversight of scripts in English and the ability to write creatively and in an engaging manner in English
• Proven record of successfully managing large teams working on multiple platforms while also championing diversity and inclusion within the team and output
• Track record of dealing with complex legal and editorial policy issues including editorial complaints and compliance processes

Experience needed

A professional journalist or a senior operational professional with proven experience managing and developing journalism teams.

Ability to develop and implement new and innovative approaches to programme structure and content.

Strong track record of commissioning, shaping and delivering high-impact multimedia journalism, with a clear understanding of what drives audience engagement.

Advanced understanding of audience analytics, search optimisation and platform performance, with the ability to translate data into effective editorial decisions.

Experience of using innovative storytelling techniques, including data journalism and other approaches that enhance clarity, depth and audience understanding.

• Develop and implement new and innovative approaches to programme structure and content.
• Commission, shape and deliver high-impact multimedia journalism.
• Translate audience analytics, search optimisation and platform performance data into effective editorial decisions.
• Utilize innovative storytelling techniques, including data journalism.
• Exercise editorial oversight of scripts in English.
• Manage and develop journalism teams.
• Champion diversity and inclusion within the team and output.
• Deal with complex legal and editorial policy issues, including editorial complaints and compliance processes.

• Editorial leadership in live television and radio production (Pan-African news focus)
• Audiovisual podcast production
• High-impact digital journalism
• Creative and engaging writing in English
• Team management (large teams, multiple platforms)
• Championing diversity and inclusion
• Dealing with legal and editorial policy issues
• Audience analytics interpretation
• Search optimisation
• Platform performance analysis
• Innovative storytelling techniques (including data journalism)

• BA/BSc/HND
• Professional journalist or senior operational professional with proven experience managing and developing journalism teams.
• Ability to develop and implement new and innovative approaches to programme structure and content.
• Strong track record of commissioning, shaping and delivering high-impact multimedia journalism.
• Advanced understanding of audience analytics, search optimisation and platform performance.
• Experience of using innovative storytelling techniques.