Video Journalist

Role Overview

BBC Somali is reshaping its output around two editorial tracks: fast same-day news and deeper on-demand storytelling. The person in this role will originate, gather and build multimedia journalism for news, current affairs and broader programming, usually working solo to shoot, edit and finish pieces that appear across radio, video, podcast and digital platforms. Their work is central to keeping BBC Somali relevant to Somali-speaking audiences in the Horn of Africa and the diaspora, especially as the service moves to a digital-first, video-led approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Find, research and pitch stories for daily news, current affairs and feature programming, keeping both immediate coverage and planned on-demand pieces moving.
• Take ownership of the full production chain: arrange interviews, gather material in the field, write scripts, record audio, shoot video, edit and package finished items.
• Self-shoot and edit complete multimedia stories, using field cameras, mobile devices and desktop editing tools, then deliver versions that meet the technical and editorial needs of each platform.
• Present or produce live and pre-recorded output, including radio segments, visualised podcasts and online-first content.
• Make sound editorial calls on accuracy, fairness, impartiality, legal risk and tone, ensuring every piece fits BBC standards and the needs of different audiences.
• Work closely with editors, producers and colleagues across the Horn of Africa Language Services Unit and the wider BBC, sharing material, reducing overlaps and improving coverage.
• Juggle several assignments at once, prioritise under breaking-news pressure and meet deadlines without dropping production quality.
• Support the team by leading projects when needed, coaching less experienced colleagues, sharing technical know-how and following health and safety requirements.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Journalism experience: Substantial newsroom background with a track record in multimedia reporting and production.
• Multimedia craft: Confident self-shooting, video editing and preparation of content for broadcast, online and social platforms.
• Editorial judgment: Strong grasp of news values, audience expectations, current affairs and BBC editorial standards.
• Story development: Proven ability to originate, shape and deliver compelling news stories using a mix of technologies and formats.
• Language skills: Fluency in spoken and written Somali and English, including professional writing, sub-editing and presenting in both languages.
• Writing and translation: Excellent accuracy, clarity and audience focus when writing, editing and translating across media.
• Planning and collaboration: Strong organisation, relationship-building and prioritisation skills, with the ability to handle competing demands and tight deadlines.
• Resilience and data awareness: Calm under pressure, adaptable to change, and familiar with audience analytics or data-led approaches to content performance.

Why Join the Team

This is a chance to join BBC Somali at a defining moment. BBC World Service is establishing a new Horn of Africa Language Services Unit in Nairobi, which will bring BBC Somali, BBC Afaan Oromo, BBC Tigrinya and BBC Amharic under one editorial leadership structure for the first time. BBC Somali is a trusted international news source for Somali-speaking audiences in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and the wider diaspora, and it is in the middle of a shift to a digital-first, video-led operation designed to reach younger audiences who get news through smartphones, YouTube and social media. The role sits within that transformation and offers the chance to help shape how a major language service tells stories for the next generation.