BBC News is one of the most trusted and respected media organisations worldwide, serving diverse audiences through television, radio, and digital platforms. With its headquarters in the United Kingdom and bureaus strategically located across continents, the BBC strives to inform, educate, and entertain millions of people daily.
At the centre of this mission is the BBC News Content department, which plays a vital role in delivering reliable, compelling, and timely news coverage. The department ensures that audiences across the globe receive accurate, impartial, and innovative journalism that reflects the BBC’s values and global standing.
The Nairobi bureau is a key part of this structure, covering developments in East Africa and beyond. To strengthen its operations, the BBC is inviting applications for the position of Senior Journalist within the News and Current Affairs Department. This permanent, full-time opportunity provides a platform to contribute to impactful storytelling while working alongside seasoned correspondents and journalists.
This role offers the chance to produce high-quality multimedia content, engage with significant regional and global stories, and shape coverage that resonates with audiences across multiple platforms. It is also an opportunity to work within a supportive environment that values editorial excellence, diversity, and creativity.
The position is open to experienced professionals with a strong background in journalism, excellent editorial judgement, and the ability to deliver content for television, digital, and radio audiences.
The details of the role are outlined below.
Position Details
- Job Title: Senior Journalist – News Content Nairobi
- Job Requisition ID: 28980
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
- Job Band: D
- Department: News and Current Affairs
- Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
- Closing Date: 21 September 2025
- Reporting to: Africa Bureaux Chief
Any offer of employment with the BBC will be conditional upon the successful candidate having the right to work in Kenya.
Job Description
Main Responsibilities
The Senior Journalist will be responsible for producing engaging and impactful content across multiple platforms. The role requires the ability to exercise editorial judgement, creativity, and leadership, ensuring that stories are accurate, compelling, and aligned with the BBC’s editorial standards.
Key responsibilities include:
- Content Production and Storytelling
- Produce content for all outputs within News Content, often working with correspondents, reporters, and other colleagues in Africa.
- Generate original and compelling multimedia content, including reports for television, radio, and digital platforms.
- Offer ideas for daily output and contribute to planning for future events and diary items.
- Suggest innovative approaches and new angles on existing stories, ensuring diverse and fresh coverage.
- Editorial Leadership
- Act as a point of editorial reference for journalists and correspondents within the bureau.
- Provide guidance and leadership in editorial decision-making processes.
- Ensure that reporting meets the BBC’s high standards of impartiality, accuracy, and fairness.
- Collaboration and Coordination
- Work closely with World Service correspondents, reporters, and producers in Africa.
- Contribute to global coverage by supporting colleagues in other regions when necessary.
- Participate in cross-platform production, ensuring content is tailored appropriately for television, digital, and radio audiences.
- Innovation and Creativity
- Demonstrate flair and originality in the development of stories and formats.
- Explore new methods of storytelling and adapt to emerging technologies in broadcasting and digital media.
- Continuously improve content delivery to match audience expectations in a competitive media landscape.
- Deployment and Field Work
- Be available to travel and deploy at short notice to cover stories across Africa and, when required, internationally.
- Contribute to coverage of significant news events, including those in challenging or hostile environments.
- Deliver high-impact stories that resonate with diverse audiences globally.
- Networking and Research
- Maintain and develop a wide network of contacts across the region.
- Use contacts and expertise to identify emerging stories and ensure comprehensive coverage of current affairs.
- Stay informed on political, social, cultural, and economic developments within Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Editorial Standards and Compliance
- Uphold the BBC’s editorial values and policies, ensuring impartiality and balance in all reporting.
- Contribute to safeguarding the integrity and reputation of the BBC.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and security procedures, particularly when working in high-risk environments.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience in a senior journalistic role, with strong field production skills and a deep understanding of the news landscape. The role requires a high level of professionalism, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
Essential attributes include:
- Proven experience in producing stories for television, digital, and radio platforms.
- Broadcast-level command of English, both written and spoken.
- Strong background in covering news for UK, global, and African audiences.
- Extensive experience working in challenging or hostile environments.
- Ability to generate impactful, original content with creativity and flair.
- Wide network of contacts and sources within the region.
- Strong editorial judgement and decision-making ability.
- Deep understanding of news and current affairs across Sub-Saharan Africa, including political, social, and cultural contexts.
- Awareness of the latest developments in storytelling and digital journalism.
- Flexibility to be deployed at short notice for breaking news coverage.
Application Process
Interested candidates are required to submit a detailed CV and complete the online application form. The form provides an opportunity to outline relevant experience, skills, and knowledge required for the role.
Please note that employment is conditional upon satisfactory completion of BBC employment screening checks. These include:
- Reference checks
- Eligibility to work checks
- Safeguarding checks (if applicable)
- Adverse media and social media checks
Applicants are encouraged to apply before the closing date of 21 September 2025.
For any questions related to the role, candidates may contact the Africa Bureaux Chief at [email protected]. For general queries, applicants may reach out to [email protected].
Diversity and Inclusion
The BBC is committed to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity. The organisation values and respects every individual’s unique contribution, fostering an environment where employees can thrive and reach their full potential.
Applications are welcome from individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion, or belief.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles, subject to operational requirements.
Disclaimer
This job description is intended to outline the essential characteristics of the position and its principal accountabilities. It incorporates a summary of the skills, knowledge, and experience required for satisfactory performance. However, it does not provide a complete or exhaustive account of all aspects of the role.
Conclusion
The Senior Journalist role at BBC Nairobi offers an opportunity to contribute to global journalism at the highest level. The position involves working within a dynamic and collaborative team, producing content that informs and engages audiences worldwide. It requires strong editorial judgement, creativity, and the ability to thrive in diverse and challenging environments.
This is a role suited for an experienced journalist eager to shape coverage of major news stories and play a central role in delivering the BBC’s mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
