Purpose of the Role
BBC World Service is creating a new Horn of Africa Language Services Unit in Nairobi, bringing together BBC Somali, BBC Afaan Oromo, BBC Tigrinya and BBC Amharic under a single editorial leadership structure for the first time.
BBC Somali is one of the most trusted international news services for Somali-speaking audiences in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and across a substantial and highly engaged diaspora. It is a service with strong editorial heritage and, under this new structure, significant opportunity: the transformation to a digital-first, video-led operation that can reach a new generation of Somali audiences who consume news primarily through smartphones, YouTube and social media.
Why Join the Team
This new Senior Journalist role is central to that shift, helping build BBC Somali’s video journalism capability through filming, editing, presenting and production. The role also supports the visualisation of radio programmes, collaborates closely with editorial and production teams, and mentors colleagues developing their digital and video skills.
Key Responsibilities and Impact
- Lead BBC Somali’s digital visual and editorial strategy, setting creative standards, storytelling approaches and a distinctive identity across video, text, podcasts, social media and emerging platforms.
- Produce high-impact video content and visualized programming, including podcasts, radio simulcasts, livestreams and digital-first formats, while leading by example as a practicing video journalist.
- Develop and enhance BBC Somali’s visual production capabilities, creating compelling visual identities, refining workflows, and ensuring broadcast-quality output across studio, location and mobile journalism productions.
- Drive audience growth and engagement by identifying innovative video formats, repurposing content for social platforms, using audience insights and analytics, and focusing on younger and female audiences.
- Coach, mentor and develop journalists and presenters, building on-screen confidence, visual storytelling skills and a culture of creativity, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Strengthen collaboration across teams and locations, working closely with Nairobi, Mogadishu and Horn of Africa colleagues to align editorial priorities, share resources and deliver efficient workflows.
- Contribute to editorial leadership and strategic planning, including commissioning, content development, digital strategy, meeting leadership and representation of BBC Somali within the wider BBC News operation.
Essential Criteria
- Extensive experience as a video journalist and team leader, with a strong portfolio of high-impact digital content and a proven ability to set creative direction, manage performance and develop talent.
- Strong strategic and editorial leadership skills, including experience developing video strategies, raising production standards, balancing creative ambition with operational delivery, and driving audience growth.
- Expert knowledge of digital video production and distribution, across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and emerging platforms, with experience in short-form, long-form, vertical and social-first content.
- Data-driven approach to content development, with experience using audience analytics and platform insights to inform commissioning, optimise performance and grow engagement, particularly among younger audiences.
- Excellent communication, production and collaboration skills, including scripting, writing and editing in Somali and English, stakeholder management, and the ability to establish effective cross-team and cross-location workflows.
