Bbc Xtra - Producers, Assistant Producers, Researchers, Presenters

BBC XTRA: a youthful and modern pan-Arab TV magazine programme from Beirut is recruiting freelance TV Producers, Assistant Producers, Presenters and a Senior Series Producer.

BBC XTRA is the BBC Arabic’s weekly magazine programmes, dealing with a wide variety of issues, from hard hitting social affairs to the effect of major news stories on people’s lives, along with news and stories from the worlds of culture and art.

Experience in television is essential, as well as wide knowledge of current affairs, social trends and issues. Also essential is excellent Arabic and English language skills, both written and spoken, with full correct Arabic grammar that is suitable for broadcast. Wide range of contacts across the Arab world is highly desirable. Often working under tight deadlines, it is important to be flexible in your working hours, willing to travel when necessary and an excellent team player.

Arabic speakers from all nationalities are encouraged and welcome to apply.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Employer: BBC World  Service, BBC Arabic Programmes

Job title: BBC XTRA - Producers, Assistant Producers, Researchers, Presenters

Contract: Freelance, local conditions

Location: Beirut 
 

 OVERVIEW

BBC Arabic is the largest language service of the BBC World Service, providing news and current affairs on Radio, TV and Online to Arabic speaking audiences in the Middle East and beyond. The service is multi-media daily newsgathering operation for daily, weekly and long-term planning. BBC Arabic increasingly collaborates with, and provides material for, other language outlets and platforms. A major part of BBC Arabic’s output is made up of long form programmes, documentaries and investigations, produced in-house by the BBC Arabic Programmes Unit.

 
THE ROLE

You will primarily focus on producing and/or presenting the output as a whole or in individual segments.  You will be expected, alone or alongside other journalists, to work directly on this specific programme or other programmes and to contribute, when requested, to the planning and overall running of the programme.

 When required, you will also contribute to the development of the programme and the smooth introduction of change.  You will also be expected to collaborate with colleagues across BBC Arabic and with other parts of the BBC.

 
DUTIES:

To perform with or without a script, conduct interviews and chair discussions, live or pre-recorded. To do live 2-ways, report from the field  and prepare packages.

To present or co-present strands and sections of the programme. 

To offer ideas for stories, items, special projects and series. 

To undertake pre- and post-production and studio work, live and pre-recorded. 

After appropriate training, to use a range of audio, digital and video equipment and information technology, to research, write, assemble, edit and deliver programme materials to the highest professional standards.

To research, write, translate, edit or adapt items, stories and programme material.

To find contributors and interviewees, as well as other sources of material and/or actuality, as appropriate and to the required specification.

To take a broad perspective on issues assessing and explaining in clear and interesting ways the impact of events, developments, news items and issues in a given subject area.

To make complex issues accessible to audiences.

To occasionally present from location, or field report on big events or special projects (OBs).

To be fully aware of, and to follow at all times, BBC policy and editorial guidelines.

To collaborate with the home team in London,  overseas reporters worldwide, BBC bureaux, in addition to the wider BBC.

To make the best use of new technologies - in particular developments in social media - in delivering our journalism to audiences, and to set an example in learning to operate new systems and adapting to different working methods. 

 
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

- A full command and up to date knowledge of spoken and written modern standard Arabic, as first or equivalent language. 

- Considerable relevant experience as a programme maker.

- Excellent independent and balanced editorial judgement.

- The ability to communicate effectively to audience in a modern style adopting the appropriate tone.

- Experience of originating and developing creative programme ideas and of dealing with live, breaking stories.

- Ability to interpret complex stories for a non-specialist audience.

- The ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure.

- Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload and to work flexibly.

- A team-player with good interpersonal communication skills.
 
 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: 
To apply, please provide the following in English, unless stated otherwise: 1. A full CV with references.
2. A covering letter outlining how your background, skills and experience meet the requirements of this position.
3. An example of your approach as follows:
Choose a local, topical, non-political story, that is relevant to the wider BBC Arabic audience,and not older than a week of the date of this application.
Write, in Arabic, a TV package proposal that includes a treatment, describing the visual content, an introduction and suggesting proposed guests.
 4. If you are applying for the presenters job please include a link to a 5 min showreel  demonstrating your TV work (with your own voice), presenting a programme, news or a package. And/or an interview you have conducted for TV or radio.  
Applications without the above requirements will not be considered. Please send your complete application to: [email protected]
Please include in the email subject line the following: BBC XTRA TV, job title, your name and country of residence.