Senior Journalist

Role Overview

This senior role drives BBC Somali’s transition to a video-first, digital newsroom, owning the visual storytelling strategy and production pipeline. Day-to-day, you will shoot, edit, and host content across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram while coaching journalists in on-camera techniques and mobile journalism. The position is critical to reaching younger, diaspora audiences who increasingly consume news on smartphones, ensuring the service maintains its editorial authority in a crowded media environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the creative direction for BBC Somali’s digital output, establishing a consistent visual identity across video, audio, text, and social platforms.
• Produce original video journalism — from short social clips to long-form documentaries — and adapt radio programmes for live streaming and on-demand viewing.
• Develop workflows that elevate production quality, whether in a studio, on location, or using mobile devices, and ensure all content meets broadcast standards.
• Use audience analytics to inform content decisions, experiment with new formats, and specifically target younger listeners and women with relevant, engaging stories.
• Mentor reporters and presenters in visual storytelling, building their confidence in front of the camera and in editing suites, and fostering a collaborative editorial culture.
• Coordinate with teams in Nairobi, Mogadishu, and the wider Horn of Africa region to align editorial priorities, share resources, and streamline production processes.
• Contribute to editorial planning and leadership meetings, representing BBC Somali within the broader BBC News operation and helping shape the service’s long-term digital strategy.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Several years of professional experience as a video journalist or digital content lead, with a portfolio that demonstrates high-impact, audience-driven work.
• Proven ability to set a creative vision and manage a team, including performance feedback, skill development, and editorial oversight.
• Deep practical knowledge of video production and distribution on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and emerging social channels, including short-form, long-form, and vertical formats.
• Comfort using data from audience analytics and platform insights to guide content commissioning and optimise reach, especially among younger demographics.
• Excellent command of Somali and English, both written and spoken, with strong scripting, editing, and interviewing skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to work across multiple teams and locations, building effective relationships and ensuring consistent editorial standards.

What We Offer / Why Join

This role puts you at the centre of a transformative period for one of the world’s most respected international news services. You will have the creative freedom to experiment with new formats, mentor a talented team, and directly shape how millions of Somali speakers engage with news. The position also offers the opportunity to collaborate with journalists across the Horn of Africa and contribute to the wider BBC World Service’s digital evolution.