Introduction

The BBC World Service is the world’s largest international broadcaster, broadcasting radio and television news, speech and discussions in 42 languages to many parts of the world on analogue and digital shortwave platforms, Internet streaming, podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays. BBC Swahili is among ten other language services which broadcast to Africa attracting a weekly audience of nearly 100 million across Radio, TV, Digital and Social Media.

The Lead Presenter of Dira Radio will present the show 5 days a week and be key to growing the loyalty of our audiences and the ambition of our radio and digital plans. You will be an experienced, engaging, brave presenter or reporter with a strong news sense and a sharp editorial mind. You will be passionate about making accurate, impartial, trusted news and current affairs from across the region.   You will have ideas and ambitions about how we can drive exclusive original journalism originating in Africa, and how we can present it via audio and digital to our existing audience as well as creating new engagement.

Main responsibilities

As Lead Presenter you will:

• Present live and be able to adapt to unfolding stories while on air.
• Provide timely, specialist and self-assured news coverage and analysis on news and events of interest to the audiences of the BBC.
• Interview leaders, news makers, specialists, policymakers and those involved at the centre of stories, holding them to account where relevant.
• Broadcast in a manner which is, engaging, entertaining and readily understandable by a non-specialist audience, making complex issues accessible.
• Act as an ambassador for the BBC to the audience concerned, being comfortable with policy makers, high profile people, and audiences.
• Generate ideas and stories; contributes to the creative treatment and production of an item or programme; provides clear treatments and proposals, ensuring consistency of content, quality and style.

Are you the right candidate?

The successful candidate will have:

• Demonstrable experience in originating and producing impactful digital first and radio content, including explainers and analysis pieces.
• Ability to frame and tailor a story for local, regional and/or global audiences and experience of reporting on regional and international current affairs for multiple platforms.
• To have an accomplished presentation style for digital, social and linear platforms, which is fluent, engages the viewer and reflects the BBC values.
• Ability to push BBC News content on social media and engage with audiences according to the BBC editorial guidelines.
• Use knowledge of social trends across East, Central and the Horn of Africa to make informed decisions on upcoming stories.
• An excellent regional knowledge of Africa, and an understanding of BBC News’ distinctive news agenda and a wider interest in the digital strategy of the BBC as a whole.
• Ability to collaborate with teams across platforms and the World Service to serve broad audience needs
• Ability to respond to and report on breaking news and to travel, sometimes at short notice.
• Fluent in written and oral Swahili, and appreciation and understanding of different language dialects in order to provide clear editorial guidance.

Package details

• Contract: Continuing/Permanent
• Band: D, local terms and conditions apply
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Job board closing: Midnight 30th November (GMT)
• Any offer of employment with the BBC will be conditional upon you having the right to work in Kenya