DRAMA SCRIPTWRITERS (2 Positions)

Job Description

VACANCIES ANNOUNCEMENT

DRAMA SCRIPTWRITERS (2 Positions)

BBC Media Action

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development charity. We believe in the power of media and communication to help reduce poverty and support people in understanding their rights. Our aim is to inform, connect and empower people around the world.

To achieve this, BBC Media Action partners with civil society, local media and governments to:

· Produce creative programmes in multi-media formats which inform and engage audiences around key development issues.

· Strengthen the media sector through building professional capacity and infrastructure

Job Purpose:

To take responsibility for the delivery of scripts for the radio serial drama part of the “Building a Peaceful Future: Youth Empowerment through Media Engagement in Somalia” project.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop high-quality radio drama scripts that align with project objectives, adhere to agreed-upon storylines, character development, and communication framework.
Ensure scripts exhibit exceptional language, creativity, and dramatic impact, incorporating effective sound effects (FX) while meeting strict deadlines.
Collaborate with the production team to maintain project timelines and ensure script deliverables are aligned with overall production schedules.
Provide constructive feedback on colleagues’ scripts, assessing adherence to project guidelines and communication framework, storytelling effectiveness, character development, and overall quality in accordance with BBC editorial standards.
Maintain consistency in character development, storyline progression, and the integration of behavior change principles throughout the drama series.
Perform other tasks as assigned by the line manager to support the project’s goals.

Skills and Qualifications
Skills, Knowledge and Experience Required

· Proven ability in writing compelling radio drama scripts.

· Strong journalistic background with a keen understanding of storytelling.

· In-depth knowledge of Somali culture, language, and society.

· Possess strong grammar and writing capability of Somali language in both Maay and Maxaatiri dialects.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse teams.

· Experience in social cohesion, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention.

· Understanding of youth and gender issues.

· An understanding and appreciation of core BBC values of impartiality, independence and accuracy.

· Good working knowledge of computer packages including email, and Word,.

· Significant, demonstrable experience in drama writing and journalism within the Somali context.

Competencies

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

· Editorial Judgement- demonstrates balanced and objective judgement based on a thorough understanding of BBC editorial guidelines, target audiences, programme and department objectives. Makes the right editorial decisions, taking account of conflicting views as necessary.

· Planning and organization- can think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritizes and plans activities considering all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines.

· Resilience- can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterized by commitment, motivation and energy.

· Influencing and persuading- ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people an approach that results in agreement or behavior change.

· Gains the respect of the team by the excellence of their work- leads by example and takes the appropriate amount of responsibility for self and others. Plus, the effectiveness of the team above their own personal interests.

· Communication- able to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audiences and the nature of information.

· Flexibility- adapts and works effectively with 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 organization or job requirements.

Creative Thinking- able to transform creative ideas into practical reality. Can look at existing situations and problems in novel ways and come up with creative solutions

How to apply
Interested candidates who meet the qualifications should submit their CV together with a covering letter which explains why s/he is suited to the role as well as some of the scripts s/he has written in the past to the following address: info@so.bbcmediaaction.org with the subject title indicating the position you are applying for. The closing date for applications is the 19th of August 2024 by 5pm EAT. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Qualified female candidates will be highly considered for this vacancy.