BBC Media Action

We are the BBC’s international development charity. We use the power of media and communication to help reduce poverty around the world. BBC Media Action has been working in Ethiopia since 2001 in the areas of health, climate and resilience, youth and women’s empowerment, and livelihoods.

Overall Purpose of Job

The Senior Producer will lead the conceptualization and creation of engaging and impactful contents for radio, TV, social media, and other online platforms. (S)he, together other members of the production team will ensure that contents are editorially and technically sound for in-country dissemination and meet BBC standards. The role will also involve managing producers to originate, research, prepare and produce a range of multimedia content. (S)he will also support the Senior Digital Media Producer to source and distribute timely, informative, and engaging content on multiple online platforms. Such contents will include short films for TV and social media, radio and TV spots/public service announcements and compelling graphics and other still content. All contents will be produced in strict adherence with BBC editorial guidelines.

Safeguarding

This role will involve working with partners, contributors, freelancers, and vulnerable youth (some of whom might be minors) and vulnerable adults.  As such, the role will absolutely require effective working knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures in relation to protection of children and vulnerable adults. For the successful candidate, mandatory training will be provided on BBC Media Action’s safeguarding policy and staff code of conduct. A police background check will form part of the recruitment process. BBC Media Action operates a zero-tolerance policy concerning all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people.

Main Duties

Editorial

• To lead the conceptualization and production of a range of multimedia contents that meet BBC editorial and technical quality. This will involve effective planning, producing, maintaining, and reviewing the delivery of high-quality work.
• Find contributors and interviewees as well as other sources of material, as appropriate and to the required specification whilst maintaining professional journalistic standards
• To ensure contents are culturally sensitive and comply with the project objectives, without undermining BBC editorial guidelines.
• Maintain editorial quality control of the output with due regard to BBC editorial guidelines and the aims of the program
• Work with other team members to ensure contents are available for distribution and outreach.
• To support the Producer Director in ensuring efficient use of allocated resources and budgets
• To contribute conscientiously to the maintenance of health and safety of staff, and of any other person who may be affected by activities under his/her control; to ensure that BBC safety requirements are fulfilled.
• Take a lead role, in conjunction with Producer Director, in design and implementing capacity strengthening strategies with media partners.

Leadership

• To deputize the Producer Director when needed; managing producers and ensure they receive adequate guidance and supervision.

Cooperation

• To liaise closely with other Senior Producers and production staff in other language teams, and with contributors, media partners and government officials
• To work with the Project Management teams to align project goals and outcomes
• Co-operate closely with cross-functional departments [eg. Finance, HR & Procurement, Project Management, Research and Learning]
• The Senior producer may be required to contribute to or work with other programme teams, partner organizations and to have the ability to work across a range of tasks and in a flexible manner, carrying out these responsibilities in accordance with the BBC’s overall standards and values

 Administration

• Support the Producer Director in ensuring production expenditures keep within budget
• Support the Producer Director in ensuring that all necessary contracts, clearances, or agreements under direct control are negotiated and completed.
• Plan and take responsibility for the efficient use of allocated resources and production budgets
• Undertake basic budgeting processes and keeping track of expenditure.
• Ensure feedback from production and research teams is considered and reflected in the content and outreach.

REPORTS TO: Producer Director Ethiopia

LOCATION: Based in Addis Ababa, covers Amhara Region

DURATION:  One (01) year

CONTRACT: Local terms and conditions (Open to Ethiopian nationals only)

Job Requirements

Required skills, knowledge, and experience

• Degree in Journalism, communication, development studies or related discipline
• Demonstrate a minimum of 5 years’ experience in journalism and communication, especially television, radio, or multimedia production.
• Experience in generating and producing content for online (social media) audiences
• Fluency in written and spoken Amharic language is required.
• Functional written and spoken English is required
• In-depth understanding of the country’s health and socio-economic and cultural contexts
• An extensive knowledge of the media landscape
• Experience working on youth-related programmes is desirable
• Experience in social and behaviour change communication is desirable
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages and related computer applications is required
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud packages and related computer applications is desirable
• Experience in managing production teams and training others is desirable.

 Key competencies:

• The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.
• Leadership – Ability to create a vision and inspire others to realize it irrespective of circumstances. Able to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change
• Creative Thinking – able to transform creative ideas into practical reality. Can look at existing situations and problems in novel ways and come up with creative solutions
• Managing relationships and team working – able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Work co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively
• Developing Others – able to recognize potential (managerial, professional, artistic, or otherwise) and be willing to foster the development of that potential. Create a climate in which potential can be realized
• Resilience – maintain personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, set-backs or when dealing with provocative situations.
• Planning and organisation – able to think ahead to establish and efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritise and plans activities considering all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources
• Communication – able to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools, and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information. Good negotiating and diplomatic skills
• Flexibility – adapt and work effectively with a variety of situations, individuals, or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements
• Time and Stress Management – Good time management and ability to prioritize a heavy workload under pressure
• Self-Development – Is able to identify and apply opportunities for learning and development