Persian Producer

About us
The BBC Persian Service is based in London but also has offices in Kabul, Dushanbe, Islamabad, Istanbul and Washington, Cairo and Beirut. Broadcasting daily to Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan and with an expanding online service bbcpersian.com with over 48 million page impressions per month. Our output includes news and current affairs; in-depth analysis, social, cultural and entertainment programmes and in-depth online content
 
Context
This role requires a good understanding of the politics of Lebanon and the Middle East, plus the cultural, religious and economic factors which play a role in this society, as well as breaking news stories.
You will need to find creative approaches to bring the audience to a closer understanding of  Lebanon and the region. You will also need to take a lead on generating original reporting and helping to ensure that the BBC’s coverage of this important region is ahead of our competition. As part of the wider Middle East team, the Beirut producer also needs to stay across the whole region and will could be asked to cover stories elsewhere in the region, especially Syria.
Covering Lebanon, and the region, poses specific and significant safety issues, with BBC teams living and working in areas of significant risk.
You must have Arabic as your first or equivalent language and it is also vital that you have a full comprehension of English. You'll have an in-depth understanding of Lebanese and regional national and international current affairs; and an understanding of the changing media market in the region. You must have recent and relevant journalistic experience in radio, online, print or television journalism. You should also have strong IT skills and the ability to type in English, as well as knowledge and experience of the Internet and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
 
Role Dimensions
You will report to the Editor Newsgathering & Planning. You will work primarily with BBC Persian bilingual reporter based in Beirut. You will provide specialist and general coverage of events and trends in Pakistan. As required, you will be expected to plan and execute coverage across the region.
You will work closely with Language Services and Monitoring colleagues to share information, plans and deployment details. You will be expected to travel across the region and may on occasion be asked to work elsewhere. 
 You must have a track record as a BJ Producer, at network level. You must demonstrate a detailed grasp of developments in Lebanon, an ability to develop original stories and a commitment to specialist reporting. You should have strong TV, Online and Radio production skills, and understand the demands of a multi-platform news environment. Willingness to work flexibly and travel at short notice in what is often a hostile environment is essential. The role requires a good understanding of the challenges facing the BBC in reporting Lebanon and the region, including a good understanding of High Risk safety procedures. A willingness to work flexibly and travel at short notice is essential.
 
 Main Responsibilities
 BROADCAST AND JOURNALISM
 To originate and select stories and prepare programme material for broadcast, offering ideas, arguing for stories and giving guidance to senior editors and programme producers.

To produce items for TV, Radio and Digital using the appropriate technical and production skills.
To supervise the editing of packages/programmes in liaison with editorial and resource staff.
To establish strong relationships with news and programme editors in London and Beirut to assist with programme output.
To continue the integration of newsgathering operations across English and Language Service teams in Beirut.
To be responsible for local deployment and budgets.
To observe and carry out any requirement outlined in the BBC safety policy and specifically to conduct risk assessments whenever appropriate.
To be aware of the full extent of the financial and purchasing authority of the post and to ensure that this authority is exercised in accordance with BBC policies and financial arrangements.
To be influential in shaping and developing the BBC’s news agenda.
To provide expert coverage of news and events in the region and in the context of the wider world
To demonstrate outstanding journalistic skills and broadcasting techniques.
To provide well written, well produced items for bulletins, programmes or any other media as required by BBC Persian as events demand
To ensure a high level of fast, accurate, entertaining and fair journalism from across the region.
To translate complex ideas and innovative approaches into exciting programming
To analyse and contextualise events and maintain an overview of complex situations
To understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by the competitive environment in broadcasting.
To originate and sell story ideas to the relevant News Planning Units.
To produce finely-crafted, imaginative packages and reports for all BBC outlets.
To come up with good newsworthy stories and creative story treatments.
To translate complex material into its simplest form and tailor it for the relevant audience.
To build strong relationships with programme teams and crews
To develop a wide range of contacts and contributors to ensure the widest range of information as possible.
To use social media to inform and enhance BBC Persian coverage according to the BBC Editorial Guidelines.

 
ADVICE / BRIEFING
 To plan ahead and to be aware of future developments and trends, and to brief and advise editorial and production colleagues both in London and in the field, on relevant topics and events.

To work closely with the Bureau Editor and other regional colleagues, including those of the Language Services.
To contribute as required to a range of editorial discussions and programme reviews aimed at optimising BBC News coverage of World events.
To fill in Risk Assessments when necessary as per the BBC Safety guidance

 
OVERSEEING / GUIDING WORK OF OTHERS
 To be responsible editorially in the field for the work of BBC Persian crews.
 
 BBC REPRESENTATIVE
 To act as a representative of the BBC generally and BBC Persian in particular, both at home and abroad

To ensure the BBC’s editorial guidelines are met
To contribute to the overall management and editorial policies/strategies of the Newsgathering operation

 
OTHER
 To follow BBC safety requirements and instructions, especially in relation to emergencies; and to report any accidents, dangerous situations or defects in safety arrangements.

To work within the budget set by Newsgathering, when relevant working with bureau editor or deputy to operate according to sound financial and business principles, making informed choices about resources
To treat all colleagues with respect and behave in a manner which sets an example to others.
To complete all mandatory training and other necessary training in a timely manner.

 
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
 Substantive experience as a producer including assignments abroad.

Sound understanding of the needs of the BBC’s growing digital output in Lebanon.
A detailed grasp of political, social and economic affairs internationally.
Ability to originate programme stories, work to tight deadlines, and supervise staff
Extensive experience of covering live/breaking news.
Knowledge of the key editorial and audience priorities for the range of global output.
Sound knowledge of the region, including political, economic and security developments.
A thorough knowledge of the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines
A highly developed news and current affairs judgement.
A thorough understanding of the output of BBC Persian in Farsi
A thorough understanding of the range of platforms and formats
Experience in managing people.
A high level of editorial awareness and judgement
Experience of working with frameworks for diversity, reaching new audiences, multi skilling, Health and Safety and the ability to put these policies into practice.
An understanding of the BBC’s commercial and partnership strategy in the region

 
SKILLS AND ABILITIES

An excellent level of spoken and written and broadcast English
Knowledge of a local language would be an advantage
Possession of the specific skills, in writing, recording, editing, interviewing, and producing required for this job; this involves providing radio, television and online material in a variety of forms, as well as working live to air.
Ability to originate programme ideas.
Ability to effectively manage own emotions in the face of pressure, set-backs or provocative situations.
Ability to get the best out of self and others when under pressure
A high level of inter-personal skills and the ability to work well as a member of a team
Ability to build relationships/rapport with a variety of key people e.g. guests, contributors, camera operators and influence them where necessary.
Financially literate in order to report on commercial and financial aspects of the region
Ability to negotiate/exercise diplomacy with people where necessary.
Ability to adapt to changing audience habits and new formats and a willingness to undergo training to keep abreast of new technologies
Able to consider ideas regardless of who suggested them.
Is aware of their own impact and can change their approach/style to suit the situation.

 
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.

Imagination/Creative Thinking - generates high quality material through a detailed understanding of the requirements of the broadcast media and possession of the necessary translating, writing, directing and reporting skills.

 Planning & 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, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.

  Influence & 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 co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.

 Editorial Judgement - demonstrates balanced and objective judgement based on a thorough understanding of BBC editorial guidelines, target audience, programme and department objectives. Makes the right editorial decisions, taking account of conflicting views where necessary.

 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.

 Flexibility - adapts and works 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.