Producer/ Trainer

BBC Media Action uses media and communications to reduce poverty and as a force for positive social change. To achieve this, the BBC Media Action partners with civil society, local media and governments to:

• Produce creative programmes in multi-media formats, based on robust research, which inform and engage audiences around key development issues.


• Strengthen the media sector through building professional capacity and infrastructure.

BBC Media Action delivers a portfolio of media projects in Ethiopia. It seeks to expand this portfolio of work, but also ensure that existing projects are delivered to time, to budget and to the highest standards, and in accordance with BBC editorial values as well as BBC Media Action methodologies.

BBC Media Action is looking for Amharic-speaking and Afan Oromo-speaking producers/trainers to work full-time or freelance on two of its media projects aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare, and at building the resilience of vulnerable communities in Ethiopia affected by climate change.

Making informative and engaging programmes for our audiences and sharing these skills with partner agencies are core activities for BBC Media Action.  The producers will be responsible for undertaking key production duties, ensuring that work is delivered to high creative and professional standards and for training/mentoring partner agencies to do the same.

Duties include: 

• To support the production of a weekly radio magazine programme, as well as public service announcements, maintaining high creative and professional standards.  To be able to write engaging scripts, commission high impact content, as well as do own interviews and spots.


•  Ability to use a range of audio and digital equipment, recording and editing in the single track and multi-track. (If necessary training will be given.)


•  With the Senior Producer/ Trainer, to design and deliver training programmes for partner stations.


•  To demonstrate strong understanding of BBC editorial values and ability to put the same into practice. Play an active role in managing administrative and logistical requirements of production.


•  Responsibility to represent BBC Media Action across Ethiopia’s media organizations

Overall Purpose of Job 

To produce radio magazine, and public service announcements (or spots)and mobile content on the themes of maternal and child health, or on resilience, and train partner radio producers in these skills.  Ability and willingness to work across BBC Media Action’s production content as required. 

Main Duties:

 Production

• To support the production of a weekly radio magazine programme, maintaining high creative and professional standards. Able to write engaging scripts, commission high impact content, as well as do own interviews and reports.


• Must have an appreciation of power of music and drama in people’s lives


• Be willing to present or perform at the microphone as presenter’s friend, as and when needed, on-location and in the field.


• Evaluate and respond to feedback from audience in form of letters, SMS or email


• Conceptualise and produce high impact, creative PSAs (Public Service Announcements) in a number of languages including Amharic and Afan Oromo


• Supply content to BBC Media Action website, reflecting key achievements of project


• Able to use a range of audio and digital equipment, recording and editing in the single track and multi-track to the highest professional standards. (If necessary training will be given.)


• Demonstrate strong understanding of BBC editorial values and ability to put the same into practice


• Be responsible for efficient use of allocated resources and production budgets


• Be willing to take on new or different roles, including working across the organisation’s range of communications outputs, as required

Training

• To work with production teams from a variety of cultural backgrounds, languages, seniority and technical ability in order to improve the production quality of radio programmes. This requires strong production skills in creating, researching, and planning, recording and editing broadcast content.


• To work with production teams from partner stations (as above) to increase audience connectivity and appreciation.


• With the Senior Producer/Trainer, to design and deliver training programmes for partner stations.


• Ability to establish and maintain good relationships at all levels within a partner station.


• Administrative responsibility for collecting and logging the progress of trainees, and reporting to BBC Media Action Ethiopia management to inform future training strategy.


• Excellent communication skills including the ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and engaging way, and draw on a variety of ways to demonstrate new ideas.


• Responsibility to represent BBC Media Action across Ethiopia’s media organisations.

Administration

•  Understand simple budgeting and keep track of expenditure


•   Responsible for complying with BBC Media Action systems for documenting and reporting production and training.


• Diligently log and file all documents relating to programmes such as running orders, scripts and reports, and demonstrate individual authority and leadership in responsible management of shared resources including the shared drive and contacts database


• Play an active role in managing administrative and logistical requirements of production including travel, risk assessments and finances.

Essential:

•  High standard of Amharic or Afan Oromo, as well as English; fluency in two or more Ethiopian languages is desirable.


• Degree in Journalism or equivalent relevant degree.


• Demonstrate a minimum of 5 years’ full-time recent and relevant journalistic experience and production experience.

Required skills, knowledge and experience          

•  B.A and two years relevant experience, or Diploma and four years relevant experience


• Ability to spot a good story and identify people who will make interesting interviews


• Keen interest in rural communities and their quality of life


• Ability to communicate with accuracy and clarity


• Good broadcasting voice


• Fluency in Amharic or Afan Oromois essential, excellent knowledge of other Ethiopian languages is an advantage.


• Functional written and spoken English.


• Good keyboard/computer skills

REPORTS TO: Senior Producer, Ethiopia                          

 DURATION:1 year (with possible extension)    

CONTRACT:  Local terms and conditions.  Only eligible for Ethiopian

nationals or those legally able to work in Ethiopia 

Key competencies:

The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

  Managing Relationships – has an ability to establish rapport quickly and effectively with new people/contacts. Takes care to maintain and develop existing relationships. Works harmoniously with a wide range of people and deals sensitively with contributors, customers and suppliers as well as with colleagues.  Understands the demands and pressures on others

Influencing and Persuading – able to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others.  Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.  Can identify key influencers in the organisation. Can adopt a range of strategies and styles of influencing depending on circumstances.  Constantly develops and expands own sources of influence

Developing Others – able to recognise potential (managerial, professional, artistic or otherwise). Willing to foster the development of potential in others. Creates a climate in which potential can be realised.

Creative Thinking – able to come up with creative ideas and turn them into compelling and high impact radio.  Respectful and collaborative approach to creative ideas of colleagues.

Planning and organisation – able to think ahead in order to establish efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others.  Ability to prioritise, taking into account all the relevant issues and factors, such as deadlines, staffing and resources.

Teamwork – able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people, as opposed to working separately or competitively.

Resilience – can manage emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterized by commitment, motivation and energy.

Flexibility – able to adapt and work effectively in a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements.

Time and Stress Management – good time management and ability to prioritize a heavy workload under pressure.

Self-development – able to identify and apply opportunities for learning and development.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties.  The BBC is an equal opportunity employer.

candidates should write a letter in English, explaining – in an engaging way – why they are the right person for the job. The letter should be sent, with attached C.V., to the following email address:

(the job title should be in the subject field of your email).

Candidates will be long listed based largely on the quality of their covering letter.

NB: Candidates should have Ethiopian nationality or have a valid Ethiopian work permit. Please note that these are not international postings.

BBC Media Actionis an international charity, which uses media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries.  For more information please see our website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaaction/

Job expires in 30 days.