Assistant Editor, BBC Xtra

Job Description

<strong><strong>Job Purpose</strong></strong><p><br></p>The BBC World Service is undergoing a transformation to ensure that the best World Service content travels further and makes greater impact. As such we are refocusing our strategy to build reach and engagement on owned and operated platforms, including TV, and on digital. We are also changing the way that we operate.<p><br></p>World Service Languages Channels is a new department that brings together our TV and streaming offers. At the core of this are BBC Arabic and BBC Persian, which together have a weekly audience of over 42 million, some of the largest BBC global audiences.<p><br></p>We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Editor, with creativity and vision, to lead BBC Xtra. Xtra focuses on delivering content for 16-34 audiences on TV and Digital, making challenging and often taboo stories relevant and engaging, through bold, creative, transparent journalism.<p><br></p>The team you will lead is made up of journalists who come from across the Arab world, committed to introducing different parts of it to each other. You will ensure that the programme delivers on underserved audience targets, navigating complex editorial issues and ensuring the highest standards of journalism, and innovative production. You will also showcase BBC content from across the organization, sometimes working with other teams including Digital Production Hubs and Investigations.<p><br></p>You will be involved in supporting Senior News Editors and SLs to develop a strategy for reaching younger audiences on TV and Digital platforms, and wish to expand this content beyond Xtra more and more. You will be a key member of the management team, helping to evolve our Channels and Streaming offer for all audiences.<p><br></p>You may also support Persian editors to develop formats for younger audiences for BBC Persian TV as well.<p><br></p><strong><u>Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities</u></strong><p><br></p><ul><li>Provide editorial and managerial leadership for BBC Xtra team, ensuring all content meets the BBC’s editorial standards of impartiality and accuracy and is delivered on budget.</li><li>Contribute to the generation of ideas and ensure a wide range of topics and perspectives are reflected in the program, with younger audiences and female audiences featured prominently. </li><li>Ensure the programme is informative, entertaining, contains the highest standards of journalism.</li><li>Exploit recent technical innovations and available BBC resources and studios to make our visual storytelling more appealing to underserved audiences, including use of new journalism techniques, and championing transparency.</li><li>Refresh programme formats and content and introduce new programmes when required. </li><li>Set objectives, deliver appraisals and feedback sessions as well as manage performance on daily basis and assist in the recruitment of new staff.</li><li>Help with the digital transformation of the WSL Channels, working closely with the senior editors.</li><li>Sign off programmes promos and compliance forms.</li></ul><p><br></p><strong><u>Knowledge, Skills, Training &amp; Experience</u></strong><p><br></p><ul><li>Clear experience of leading an active team under pressure and delivering to deadline. </li><li>Clear evidence of experience of telling stories on linear TV and digital platforms. </li><li>Demonstrable experience in generating original and thought-provoking material and bringing to life in a compelling format.</li><li>Demonstrable experience of managing and building strong relationships with new teams and other BBC departments. </li><li>Demonstrable knowledge of the 16-34 audience – their needs and the different ways they consume news. </li><li>Understanding of social media platforms analytics and how they can be used to improve output and drive change. </li><li>Excellent English language skills with ability to give feedback to team of producers, presenters and reporters. </li><li>Good knowledge of Middle East and international news and current affairs. </li><li>Sound understanding of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines, Editorial Policy and commitment to the editorial aims of BBC News. </li><li>Proven editorial judgement and flair, able to make sound decisions quickly and sign-off content. </li><li>Ability to commission Current Affairs and features stories and give clear instructions to members of the team as well as producers and reporters. </li><li>Experience of making judgements on matters of editorial sensitivity and strong knowledge of relevant legal and editorial policy issues. </li><li>Ability to work well with other producers, reporters and team. </li><li>Preferably experience of leading a team in a multinational environment. </li><li>Knowledge of Health and Safety policies and practices.</li></ul><p><br></p><strong><u>If You Are a Freelancer, Please Apply Here</u></strong><p><br></p>https://career2.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareerpvt?jobId=5640&amp;company=S001190811T2&amp;st=FA847BEE499096DB9654CE93FF480DBD11589427