BBC WORLD HUB
JOB SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Digital Editor, BBC South Asia Hub Grade: London Grade 9 Contract: Continuing Reports to: Editor, South Asia Hub
CONTEXT
BBC World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster, delivering a wide range of language and regional Hubs on radio, TV, online and via wireless handheld devices.
It uses multiple platforms to reach its audience, including digital, shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels.
BBC South Asia Hub has six websites, mobile sites and Social Media pages – BBC Hindi, BBC Nepali, BBC Sinhala, BBC Tamil, BBC Burmese, BBC Bengali, with multimedia content in text, video, interactive and audio for radio, online,mobile and Social Media platforms.
The Hub’s output aims to make international news relevant to South Asian audience, and bring international perspectives to bear on South Asian and global developments.
All digital services in the Hub share an ambitious outlook to attract more audience to our digital contents in six languages and strengthen outputs in the coming years so to respond to the changes in the market.
JOB PURPOSE
To take editorial responsibility for and develop digital output for BBC South Asia Hub, particularly for BBC Nepali, BBC Bangla, BBC Burmese, BBC Tamil and BBC Sinhala – in platforms including online site, social media, content for mobile devices, and UGC.
The role will need to help lead strategic editorial development of BBC South Asia Hub’s digital offering, working closely with BBC WS Digital team to implement the Digital Roadmap 2014/2016 for South Asian languages.
The role holder will report to BBC South Asia Hub Editor and work with all service editors and desk editors in the Hub and collaborate with BBC World TV, News online, Future Media to manage output and lead the launch of new editorial approaches in South Asia Hub website coverage, adapting the output as needed to new platforms and changing audience needs and priorities.
Being a key member of the senior team and responsible for editorial and managerial standards.
The post holder will also provide creative leadership and vision so as to develop and deliver a digital strategy which ensures that the BBC World Service maximises its impact and potential in South Asia.
You will effectively communicate the BBC South Asia digital strategy to all BBC South Asia staff and the wider BBC. To be a single point of contact on digital output for WS Digital and Business Development teams.
MAIN DUTIES
Accountable to South Asia Hub Editor for all digital content, special features and graphics to serve the web pages in six languages in South Asia Hub, with particular emphasis on BBC Nepali, Bengali, Burmese, Sinhala and Tamil. To ensure BBC South Asia Hub’s digital content adheres to the standards of excellence and efficiency required of BBC World Service Group, and complies fully with the BBC's editorial guidelines and objectives To provide editorial leadership for the BBC South Asia Hub digital staff and any other journalists contributing to the output To be fully aware of latest technological developments as they affect our Hubs, understanding industry trends and leading the editorial teams in the adoption of new techniques and technology Delegate and support producers effectively but also lead by example in editing digital contents on a regular basis Consider curating and commissioning digital contents for the languages in the Hub and keep across digital and social trends unique to the South Asian Market To be responsible for focusing and looking at new technology trends and developments in Media to enhance the output of BBC South Asia Hub To be able to design/recommend innovative methods and products to increase the audience reach of BBC South Asia Hub in particular and World Service in general. The ability to anticipate changes in the media market and plan and guide BBC South Asia Hub’s output accordingly. Innovative ideas and initiative to contribute to editorial strategies, planning and the development of the programme agenda. Manage relationships with senior stakeholders across the World Service Languages, News online, Newsgathering and WSFM to help shape and implement successful strategies for increasing the reach of BBC South Asia Hub content in line with BBC Journalism objectives and delivering appropriate commercial objectives as determined To communicate a thorough understanding to teams of audience trends, based on latest research from the BBCs specialists in this area To play a lead role in communicating BBC South Asia Hub’s digital strategy both within and outside the BBC
REQUIRED SKILLS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE
Proven record of leading a digital team and delivering a digital strategy. A successful record in working in an online production environment with demonstrable experience and enthusiasm for social media and interactivity.
Demonstrates an excellent knowledge of developments in social media and related areas.
A clear understanding of the needs and profile of the target audience and the ability to translate these into imaginative and compelling content solutions, specifically with reference to social media.
Comprehensive knowledge of writing and editing content for publication to high editorial standards.
Evidence of sound editorial and community judgement as well as an understanding of the power of online communities.
The ability to plan and organise time and resources effectively and to manage projects to conclusion according to deadlines.
A good knowledge of English including complete comprehension of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively.
Strong editorial judgement, based on extensive journalistic experience and a thorough understanding of the processes and principles of BBC journalism Ability to make sound editorial decisions under pressure and to identify, prioritise and interpret the key stories of the day A clear understanding of the needs of BBC South Asia Hub digital audiences and thorough knowledge of the BBC South Asia Hub websites and the changes in technology, competition and commercial developments which have a bearing on these. Excellent knowledge of and understanding of online technology and how it can best be used to maximise the performance of BBC South Asia Hub digital platforms Good knowledge of the strategy, structures, policies and procedures of BBC World Service Group, including those relating to editorial policy, diversity, and health and safety Ability to monitor site/mobile metrics Understand the importance of Social Media in the South Asian market – facilitate/support integration and innovation Demonstrate dynamic leadership during breaking news events on the site and on social Experience of successfully mentoring staff, their development and performance Ability to motivate and develop editorial staff to produce innovative and imaginative journalism, to help lead innovation on our digital platforms and to develop the capacity of journalists elsewhere in the BBC to produce high quality output for the website Strong leadership, negotiating, communication and inter-personal skills, including proven ability to work with and influence senior stakeholders from across the BBC Personal resilience and the ability to work on own initiative at a high level, both on strategic development of our Hubs and hands-on day-to-day editorial leadership and high-level editorial prioritisation and planning
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.
Editorial Judgement - makes the right editorial decisions based on a clear understanding of the BBC’s editorial distinctive news agenda
Creative thinking - translates news and current affairs into high quality output through a detailed understanding of the requirements of the platforms. To help implement the goals of the Creative Future journalism project.
Managing relationships and team working - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of people across the BBC, including those in areas other than WS who work with us, for example WSFM, News and Worldwide. Works cooperatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.
Subject Knowledge - demonstrates an expanding knowledge of news and current events, online editorial and technological developments and business trends in international news
Analytical Skills - simplifies complex problems, processes or projects. Identifies casual relationships and constructs frameworks for problem-solving and/or development.
Decision Making - is ready and able to take initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequences of decisions.
Communication - the ability to get one’ s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
Influencing Others - presents sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Draws from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
Developing talent and diversity - coaches others to build on strengths and improve on weakness, gives and listens to regular, honest feedback, grows the BBC’ s new leaders, recruits and develops talent from a diverse range of backgrounds, connects with people from all parts of society.