Video Journalist, BBC Swahili Service at BBC World Service

Job Description

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

BBC Swahili, one of the BBC World Service’s largest and fastest-growing language services, delivers trusted journalism to millions across East Africa via radio, TV and digital platforms. As part of its story-led On the Day and On Demand model, the Video Journalist creates high-quality visual content for multiple platforms, independently filming and editing stories, identifying compelling visual narratives, and producing accurate, engaging journalism. The role requires strong editorial judgement, creativity, technical expertise and the ability to respond quickly to breaking news.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

This is an opportunity to shape the future of video journalism at BBC Swahili, creating impactful visual stories for audiences across East Africa and beyond. The Video Journalist will produce content ranging from breaking news and documentaries to social-first videos and visualised podcasts, making effective use of original footage, interviews and archive material. The role requires strong journalistic instincts, visual storytelling and production skills, with a platform-first approach that ensures content is tailored to audience needs and distribution channels.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Research, plan, film and produce high-quality video content, including news stories, interviews, features and breaking news coverage, using strong visual storytelling and technical camera skills.
• Independently edit video from raw footage to final delivery, creating accurate, engaging narratives that meet BBC editorial, technical and accessibility standards.
• Identify the strongest visual approach to stories, exercising sound editorial judgement and ensuring all content is accurate, impartial, verified and compliant with BBC Editorial Guidelines.
• Produce and adapt content for multiple platforms, including digital, social, television and podcast outputs, tailoring storytelling techniques, formats and presentation to audience needs.
• Contribute to both immediate news coverage and longer-term planned content, maximising the value of original reporting through multiple video outputs and formats.
• Collaborate with editors, journalists, producers and other colleagues to plan coverage, coordinate production requirements and deliver effective visual journalism.
• Manage competing priorities and tight deadlines while maintaining professional standards, using audience insights to improve performance and continually developing technical and production expertise.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Significant journalism experience with strong expertise in video production, including filming, camera operation, visual storytelling and self-shooting from planning through to final delivery.
• Advanced video editing skills, with the ability to create compelling narratives using footage, interviews, natural sound, graphics and captions.
• Strong editorial judgement, with a sound understanding of BBC Editorial Guidelines, accuracy, impartiality, verification and current affairs coverage.
• Proven ability to identify, develop and communicate stories through engaging visual formats, translating complex issues into clear, audience-focused journalism.
• Fluency in written and spoken Kiswahili and English, with excellent scripting, editing, translation, interviewing and communication skills.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines and adapt quickly to changing news environments.
• Understanding of audience behaviour across digital and broadcast platforms, using performance insights to inform content decisions while demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning, teamwork and professional excellence.