Introduction

BBC World Service is an international news provider, part of BBC News, delivering a wide range of language and regional services on digital, TV and radio. It reaches a weekly audience of around 364 million around the world, helping them make sense of the world we live in.
BBC News Urdu brings quality, impartial, high-impact original journalism to Urdu speaking audiences around the world on various digital and social media platforms.
With teams based in Pakistan, India and London, the BBC News Urdu newsgathering and production teams play a vital role in producing innovative and original digital content for multiple platforms, and in reaching and engaging with Urdu Service audiences.

Main responsibilities

As Senior Journalist Reporter, you will be responsible for originating, reporting and producing stories which may include scripting, editing, outputting, filming and presenting content across a range of BBC output or generating exciting ideas and original newsgathering. Other responsibilities include:

• Propose; research; write; report and edit interesting and well-explained stories and more thoughtful, analytical pieces for publication – meeting high journalistic standards and fully observing the BBC editorial guidelines.
• Alert editors to breaking news and be ready to file accurate, on-the-spot reports and present, as soon as possible. Check and advise against coverage when necessary.
• Develop and use all text and video formats and platforms available to tell the story in the most appropriate way, with a particular focus on social media to deliver our journalism to audiences.
• Supply items for the news diary, coming up with a stream of realistic coverage ideas and working jointly with other BBC reporters and producers in the field/region.
• Provide regular advice on news developments, guidance on agency or newspaper stories and briefings on government policies.
• To gather material for broadcast on news topics and events which is reflective of the audiences we serve.
• To provide timely, specialist and self-assured news coverage and analysis of news and events of interest to the audiences of the BBC.
• Maintain regular and clear communication with the Editors ensuring everyone is briefed on own movements and contact numbers at all times throughout the assignment.
• Delivering to tight deadlines while maintaining the highest editorial standards.
• At all times to carry out duties in accordance with the BBC health and safety policy.

#LI-AM3

Are you the right candidate?

The successful applicant will have experience of digital journalism as well as live broadcasting including live breaking news with a good on-screen presence, self-assured microphone voice and ability to communicate effectively to target audience. A knowledge of and aptitude for using multimedia technology.
Also:

• Demonstrates balanced and impartial judgement. Makes appropriate editorial decisions, taking account of conflicting views where necessary
• A demonstrable interest in new media which will include knowledge of how to maximise a story for digital, reporting experience and proven skills in generating original newsgathering
• Work in partnership with other reporters and producers
• Ability to convey story and programme ideas and to contribute fully to the planning process
• Complete command over written and spoken Urdu and English language
• Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understands how individual differences can benefit the BBC
• 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 information
• The flexibility and adaptability to sustain performance, particularly under pressure to meet deadlines and changing priorities and circumstances
• An understanding of health and safety procedures and how they apply to broadcasting

Package details

Role: Senior Journalist Reporter, BBC Urdu
Reference: 19421
Contract: Permanent/Continuing
Band: D
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Job board closing: 12.01 am Monday 11th November GMT
If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process please contact the reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk. For any general queries, please contact: bbchr@bbc.co.uk.

About the BBC

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC for different reasons and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.


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Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.


We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.


We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.


To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please click here.