Journalist - BBC Swahili

About the Role

The BBC Swahili service, one of the largest and fastest-expanding language divisions of the BBC World Service, reaches millions of Swahili-speaking audiences throughout East Africa and beyond. Operating via radio, TV, and digital channels, it delivers independent and trustworthy journalism in an environment often challenged by political limitations, media restrictions, and misinformation.

The service is evolving to a story-centric model combining two editorial streams: "On the Day" and "On Demand." The Journalist role is central to both, requiring flexibility across various media platforms and formats, including writing, filming, voicing packages, and social media publishing within the same shift.

Key Responsibilities

• Craft clear, precise, and compelling articles for the BBC Swahili website daily, ensuring strong sourcing, SEO awareness, and adherence to deadlines.
• Create and host short video materials such as news snippets, explainers, interviews, and reactions optimized for platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook, and Shorts.
• Capture, present, and edit short videos using mobile or camera devices, applying solid visual judgment, sound quality, framing, and basic graphic overlays consistent with BBC standards.
• Participate in visual and linear radio productions by presenting content on screen and on air, catering simultaneously to radio and YouTube streaming audiences.
• Independently or collaboratively research, script, shoot, and edit TV features that are well-structured and suitable for targeted broadcast slots.
• Build and sustain networks across East Africa to enable original news collection, sourcing exclusive tips and stories distinct from agency content.
• Provide timely, accurate, and editorially compliant coverage of breaking news across all platforms, including live streaming.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated capability to produce content for multiple digital mediums, including websites, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook, TV, and radio, understanding their unique editorial and production needs.
• Strong digital writing skills in Swahili, producing well-structured, engaging articles optimized for online readership and search engines.
• Experience developing and presenting short-form video for social media, including vertical-format content designed to capture attention and encourage sharing.
• Practical skills in self-shooting video with mobile or camera equipment, applying effective visual decision-making across diverse settings such as studios and field reports.
• Confidence in on-camera presenting, delivering scripts, interviews, and live segments fluidly for broadcast and streaming platforms.
• Proficiency in preparing content for radio, including scripting audio-friendly material, voicing segments, and conducting interviews.
• Robust experience in sourcing, verifying, and reporting impartial news accurately under tight deadlines, including verification of social media and user-generated content.
• Fluency in both written and spoken Swahili and English, with high professional standards in writing, sub-editing, and presenting in both languages.

Additional Information

This is a permanent, full-time position based in Nairobi, Kenya, under the BBC World Service, Job Band C. The employer is open to discussing flexible working arrangements during the offer phase if preferred by the applicant.

Hiring involves employment screening checks such as references, work eligibility, safeguarding, and media screening. Applicants may need to disclose unspent convictions or police charges per recruitment policies to discuss potential support and risk assessments.

For any inquiries, contact bbchr@bbc.co.uk. Applications not submitted online will not be considered. No CV submissions are accepted.