Middle East Video Journalist

Job Introduction
BBC News serves a large variety of audiences in the UK and around the world on many platforms. The BBC Newsgathering team provides news reports, pictures and audio materialof the highest editorial standard to all BBC News programmes and services in English and other languages.
This is an exciting opportunity to work and travel as part of our small but dedicated and passionate team within one of the worlds biggest broadcasters. As Video Journalist, your role will be to produce compelling video material for social media platforms and the BBC News website.

Role Responsibility
As a Video Journalist for the Middle East, you will work primarily on making videos for our social platforms and the BBC News website on Middle East stories. Originating ideas and treatments, you will also devise new treatments for complex stories, including suggesting visual elements, and commission and produce relevant material for broadcast. In this role, you will be working in challenging and occasionally hostile environments.

The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for an outstanding and creative producer and journalist someone who understands the language of social media first videos and producing videos for other platforms. You will be able to produce material from initial idea to finished product that is highly shareable and engaging and have a track record in reporting and communicating complicated stories in a clear and simple way using a variety of visual devices. An interest in the stories and people of the Middle East is essential and you will be expected to travel regularly across the region on planned reporting trips and in response to breaking news. In addition, we need your substantial experience of self-editing and of working in both digital and linear (e.g. TV) environments.
A working knowledge of Arabic is required and we need your complete fluency in English as you will primarily be producing content for English language outlets.

Package Description
Fixed Term Contract witha 3 month probationary period and subject to renew at the end of the year

About the Company
We dont focus simply on what we do we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are very important to us. Please make sure youve read about our values and behaviours in the document attached below. Youll be asked questions relating to them as part of your application for this role.
The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background.

JOB PURPOSE
We are looking for an outstanding and creative producer and journalist, to work primarily on making videos for social platforms and for the BBC News website, but working closely with other parts of BBC News and Current Affairs and producing work which could also provide impact on television. The successful candidate will understand the language of ‘social media first’ videos, and be able to produce material from initial idea to finished product that is highly shareable and engaging.
You will be expected to be able to edit on FCPX, and to have simple graphics skills. Experience of self-shooting would also be an advantage for this position. We are looking for experienced journalists who understand the difference between producing videos for different platforms, and who are constantly innovating in their storytelling technique.
The job is just as much journalist as video producer. We’ll be looking for a track record of reportage and an ability to communicate complicated stories in a clear and simple way using a variety of visual devices. International experience will be an advantage, as will ideas for creative ways to reach underserved audiences, for example younger women.
An interest in the stories and people of the Middle East is essential and you will be expected to travel regularly across the region on planned reporting trips and in response to breaking news. Experience of working in the region would be an advantage.
A working knowledge of Arabic is required and complete fluency is essential as you will primarily be producing content for English language outlets.
This VJ post is a very flexible and multi-skilled role. It might involve scripting, shooting, directing, editing, doing basic graphics, working with social media teams writing for online as well as filming & production of items from original concept through to finished piece. It may occasionally involve presenting the videos yourself but more often will involve producing the BBC’s reporters in the Middle East. It will involve being creative and using the tools at your disposal to evolve new forms of storytelling.
You may sometimes be working by yourself (although in collaboration with colleagues in the region and in London) producing material for the UK and international audiences. At other times, you’ll be part of a team in the region producing videos with BBC reporters, camera crews and local producers.
Original journalism is a key part of this job. We will be looking for a track record of editorial judgment and you will need to have the ability to find stories and devise treatments which surprise and engage the audience.
You’ll also need to have an understanding of the news agenda in the Middle East and opportunities to produce creative videos that report the key stories of the day or explain and analyse often complex stories for an international audience.
You will need an understanding of how the audience engages with video on different platforms – for example, how to build the opening of digital videos to draw in viewers on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. Part of the job will involve writing headlines and text around the videos and posting them on BBC and social platforms.
A strong understanding of social media and its relevance to both finding and then sharing stories will be a significant advantage.
 
ACCOUNTABILITIES

 To originate ideas, develop running stories, and come up with original treatments on all stories. To think laterally and creatively.
To commission and produce relevant material for broadcast.
To re-write and edit complex items to a high standard against tight deadlines.
To be able to edit engaging pieces.
To be able to work in challenging and occasionally hostile environments.
To devise new treatments of complex stories, including new visual treatments.
To discover and research original stories.
To display clear understanding and application of the BBC Producers Guidelines and the importance of the BBC’s role in certain parts of the world.
To observe and carry out any requirement outlined in the BBC News safety policy and specifically to conduct risk assessments when appropriate.
All News staff may be required to work with or move to other teams on a multi-media basis, and to have the ability to work across a range of skills and in a flexible manner, and to carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the BBC's overall standards and values.

 
COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Substantial experience of broadcast journalism.
The flair and imagination to craft original films and to be able to see ways to bring complex subjects to digital audiences.
A working knowledge of social media and BBC digital content management.
Good writing skills.
Proven editorial judgment and flair, able to make valid decisions quickly. Proven ability to originate, select, prepare and develop story ideas.
Substantial experience of self-editing. Experience of self-shooting would be an advantage.
A track record of working in both digital and linear (e.g. TV) environments, and spotting opportunities to work across the two.
A working knowledge of Arabic is required and we need your complete fluency in English.
To have a general knowledge of how other areas of BBC News are involved in the digital space and a sound knowledge of current affairs.
Good understanding of impartiality and journalistic values.
High level of interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate with a range of people and ability to work well within a team.
Must be able to work well and calmly in an environment where news is constantly changing and being updated and have the temperament to enjoy the process.
Ability to work unsupervised.
Knowledge of the Law and its application across online, television, and radio programmes.

Planning and organising Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.Resilience Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.Influencing and persuading Ability 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.Managing relationships and team working Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works cooperatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.Editorial Judgement Makes the right editorial and policy decisions based upon a clear understanding of the BBC’s distinctive news agenda, the requirements of news and current affairs coverage as well as those of the programme departments.Understanding Diversity Understands and appreciates the uniqueness of self and others. Demonstrates, and is committed to improving, understanding of why people react in particular ways. Understanding diversity in its widest sense. Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC. Takes a balanced approach to discussing and taking action on diversity issues. Articulates how individual differences can benefit the BBC