Journalist – Somali Service (Digital & Multimedia)

About the role

The BBC Somali service is being transformed into a digital‑first, video‑led newsroom that reaches audiences through smartphones, YouTube and social media. As a Journalist you will work across the On the Day and On Demand streams, creating stories that appear on the website, radio, and multiple social platforms.

Key responsibilities

• Write clear, accurate, SEO‑aware articles for the BBC Somali website and publish them to deadline.
• Produce, present and edit short‑form video content for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels and Facebook, including news moments, explainers and interviews.
• Self‑shoot, frame and add basic graphics or captions using mobile or camera equipment, meeting BBC production standards.
• Contribute to visualised podcasts and linear radio programmes, delivering scripts and on‑air presentations.
• Research, verify and source news stories, develop contacts across the Horn of Africa and contribute to live breaking‑news coverage.

Required profile

• Proven ability to produce content for a range of digital platforms, including website, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook and radio.
• Strong digital writing skills in Somali with SEO awareness, and fluency in both Somali and English.
• Experience in short‑form video production, self‑shooting, and on‑camera presenting for broadcast and streaming audiences.
• Solid news verification skills and the ability to work under deadline pressure.

Required skills

• Content production for website, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook and radio.
• Digital writing for SEO‑optimized articles.
• Short‑form video creation in vertical formats.
• Self‑shooting video with mobile or professional camera equipment.
• On‑camera presenting and voice‑over for radio and streaming.
• News verification techniques for social‑media and user‑generated content.
• Use of audience analytics and platform insights to optimise performance.