Massive Recruitment at BBC (13 Positions)

The BBC Swahili Service is part of BBC Africa and we broadcast to around 20 million listeners in Eastern and Central Africa.

BBC Swahili is producing a series of TV and radio debates around the Kenyan elections complimented by an integrated Web / social media platform and training to our broadcast partners.

We seek to fill the following positions with qualified Kenyans, to be based in Nairobi, with frequent travel to various locations in Kenya.

1. Communications and Training Manager 

(Full time, fixed term contract, 10 months)

Job Purpose: Guide the communications and training programme for the Kenya debates programme on TV and radio

Main Duties and Responsibilities

·                     Create and distribute materials to support local organisations working in hard to reach areas as a means of extending the Kenya debates’ broadcasts to their communities

·                     Lead promotional activities and engagement with audiences through events, PR, web and social media and marketing collateral

·                     Oversee the training programme to improve skills of broadcasting partners in moderating, handling debates and producing research based and balanced reporting

·                     Monitor activities of the debate programme and the progress of the training programme

Qualifications

·                     At least five years relevant experience with an INGO, ideally in governance

·                     Masters degree preferably in development studies, education, mass communication or other relevant educational background

·                     Experience with content production and management on the web, with social media and using SMS

·                     Strong understanding of Kenyan governance issues, Kenyan media and the role of media and communications in development

·                     Experience of coordinating work though civil society partners

2. Web Editor 

(Full time, fixed term contract, 9 months)

Job Purpose: Manage the online presence of the Kenya debate programme

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

·                     Develop and manage web and social media platforms and the creation and publication of programme related content in various formats to these channels

·                     Capture and produce rich multimedia content for digital publication, working closely with the radio and TV production teams

·                     Help to make content as widely usable as possible by journalists, online influencers, bloggers and audiences

·                     Monitor editorial content and provide analysis of user statistics

Qualifications:

·                     Relevant higher education preferably in online communications

·                     Web development and production skills and ability

·                     Substantial editorial experience gained in an online media or journalism environment

·                     A strong knowledge of current and developing platforms, technologies and tools used in communication

·                     Excellent IT and web publishing skills, and experience of digital content management and production software

·                     Understanding of Kenya, Kenyan governance issues, Kenyan media and the role of media and communications in development

3. Multimedia Developer 

(Full time, fixed term contract, 8 months)

Job Purpose: Provide expert technical support in the development and monitoring of websites and social media, the coding and publishing of approved content in various formats and use of and integration of data

feeds from SMS and other sources with online channels

Qualifications:

·                     Bachelors degree preferably in computer programming, multimedia or other relevant educational background

·                     A strong knowledge of developing platforms, technologies and tools, coupled with an understanding of how they can be used to communicate

·                     Excellent IT and web publishing skills, and experience of digital content management and production software and integration data feeds from 3rd party sources to websites (i.e. SMS, database, etc.)

·                     Experience with various forms of media, such as, video and audio editing, web design, information architecture, graphic arts and animation, scriptwriting and interactive media

4. Broadcast Mentor 

2 Positions

(Full time, fixed term contract, 9 months)

Job Purpose: Execute the training activities of the Kenya debates programme by combining direct/remote support and in situ development of radio and TV programmes to our broadcast partners

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

·                     Contribute to the development of customised training programmes

·                     Provide on-the-job training to station staff on election and conflict sensitive reporting, balance and fairness and awareness of journalistic ethics and codes of conduct

·                     Deliver training to staff in production skills, reporting on elections and presentation/moderation of debates through workshops, group feedback sessions and one-on-one advisory meetings

·                     Monitor the progress of trainees through self-assessment questionnaires, interviews with staff and respective managers and content analysis of output produced by partner stations over time and adapt mentoring programme as required

Qualifications:

·                     Bachelors degree preferably in journalism, education, mass communication or other relevant educational background, a masters degree will be added advantage

·                     Strong editorial judgment and substantial journalism experience essential

·                     Experience of covering elections conflict sensitive reporting, balance and fairness and awareness of journalistic ethics and codes of conduct

·                     Experience in training journalists

·                     Strong understanding of the Kenyan media environment

5. Location Manager 

(Full time, fixed term contract, 10 months)

Job Purpose: Handle all practical arrangements for the production of radio and TV broadcasts and manage production sites throughout the broadcast process

Duties and Responsibilities:

·                     Lead in researching, identifying and organising access to appropriate locations

·                     Negotiate access and contracts with location owners and organise permissions with local authorities and the police

·                     Recruit and manage local set crew

·                     Provide logistical and administrative support for the team – organising transport, accommodation, hires equipments and facilities, etc.

·                     Ensure technical specs for equipment, power sources and crew accommodation on site are met

Qualifications:

·                     At least 3 years of professional experience in location management for TV and radio production

·                     Excellent communication skills, including the ability to work with a diverse range of people

·                     Adaptability, to deal with external factors when organising the environment required for the shoot

·                     Strong understanding of Kenya and Kenyan media environment

·                     Travelled extensively throughout Kenya

·                     Knowledge of health and safety regulations

6. Production Assistant 

(Full time, fixed term contract, 9 months)

Job Purpose: Provide administrative and organisational support prior to, during and after the production of the Kenya debate programme and develop/manage efficient systems, procedures and protocols to enable the smooth running of a weekly radio and TV programme

Duties and Responsibilities:

·                     Assist in organising and running recce’s and shoots and develop the appropriate paper-work

·                     On shoot days, ensure all relevant technical and production staff are aware of Health and Safety standards and have appropriate documentation to support this

·                     Responsible for the production support kit and ensure all contents are usable, in sound working order and develop procedures for loan of equipment to relevant production staff

·                     Manage diaries and production schedule ensuring issues regarding logistics and production matters are flagged in good time

·                     Be the focal point for communication within the various production units (technical, production and event)

Qualifications:

·                     At least 3 years of professional experience in production support for TV and radio

·                     Demonstrates strong organisational and planning skills and manages conflicting demands to meet deadlines

·                     A capacity to determine priorities, and a clear view of what is and what is not practical within the constraints of time, costs and resources and the ability to anticipate problems and determine how best to resolve them

·                     An ability to work to tight deadlines and to balance conflicting demands

7. Researchers (3) 

(Full time, fixed term contract, 10 months)

Job Purpose: Provide high level and verifiable information on panellists, themes, and issues on localities to support a high quality weekly radio and TV production

Main Duties and Responsibilities

·                     Generate and develop new programme ideas

·                     Fact checking, writing briefs for presenters and contributing to the creative scope of the production

·                     Prepare production material such as fact sheets, pamphlets to accompany productions, and publicity material

·                     Identify appropriate data, contributors, locations or archive material, collate and assess information from various sources, and ensure that legal, compliance and copyright

Qualifications:

·                     Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject – media, social/political sciences, journalism or substantial broadcast journalism experience

·                     Experience in, and knowledge of, the pre-production and production processes

·                     Advanced analytical skills

·                     Demonstrates current knowledge of the relevant legislation, regulations, and associated procedures, including Copyright, Data Protection, Public Liability, etc. and how to comply with regulatory requirements as they relate to the Kenyan broadcast environment

8. Audience Recruitment Team 

(Part time,consultancy contract, 3 days per broadcast [upto 24 broadcasts])

Job Purpose: Source audiences of up to 100 people for each radio and TV broadcast

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

·                     Travel to broadcast locations in advance to recruit audience based on programme requirements

·                     Compile and manage a master database with audience member details

·                     Ensure selected audience members arrive to broadcasts on time and assist programme team in registering and managing the audience

Qualifications:

·                     Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject – media, social/political sciences, journalism or experience in radio and TV broadcasting 

·                     An ability to interact with a diverse range of individuals, organisations and networks to source audience members

·                     Travelled extensively throughout Kenya and willing to travel frequently throughout the broadcast period

9. TV Director 

(Part-time, consultancy contract, 3 days per broadcast [up to 24 broadcasts])

Job Purpose:  

·                     Lead all production operations for recording the TV and radio broadcast, including the best use of cameras, audio and lighting and the direction of the presenters and contributors

·                     Organise and manage multi-camera outside broadcast (OB) teams, which will include vision mixer, PA, camera, lighting and sound operators, floor managers, make-up, auto-prompt operators and other ancillary staff and set high standards and rigorous quality control over output

·                     Participate in the post-production TV edit to review the technical standard of the finished programme and ensure that it is technically suitable for transmission

Qualifications:

·                     At least 5 years experience as TV Director with specialisation in multi-camera OB productions

·                     Able to maximise resources and advise on best use and improvement of those resources for the future

Closing date for applications is 27th May 2012

Start date for all positions is July 2012.

All positions require fluency in spoken and written English and Kiswahili.

The position comes with excellent terms and conditions on a local BBC contract.

Interested candidates who meet the specifications should send a CV and a covering letter outlining role suitability and/or their motivation.

Applications should be sent to bbcnairobi@gmail.com

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.