Assistant Editor, BBC Pidgin
BBC
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Job Requisition ID: 48254
Job Closing Date:
Lagos, NGA, 101233
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Job Details
JOB BAND: E
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC News, Pidgin
LOCATION: Lagos, Nigeria
Any offer of employment with the BBC is conditional upon the candidate having the legal right to work in Nigeria and having successfully completed the mandatory National Youth Service programme (NYSC) or holding a valid certificate of exemption.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Assistant Editor, BBC Pidgin leads the day-to-day editorial output of the service, supporting the Nigeria Languages Editor in implementing strategy across all BBC-owned and operated platforms. Working within the wider Nigeria Languages structure, the role reports to the News Editor, who sets the regional vision, while maintaining the editorial autonomy required to serve audiences with rigour, relevance and independence
This role requires strong editorial judgement and courage, with the ability to uphold BBC Editorial Guidelines and defend impartial decisions under pressure.
It is suited to an editor with strong journalistic instincts and clear digital ambition—someone who can sustain momentum, grow audience reach, and deliver against strategic goals
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
BBC World Service is establishing a new Nigeria Language Services Unit in Lagos, bringing together BBC Pidgin, BBC Yoruba and BBC Igbo under a single editorial leadership structure for the first time.
BBC Pidgin serves audiences across West Africa and a highly engaged global diaspora. It delivers independent, impartial journalism to a predominantly young audience navigating political uncertainty, widespread disinformation and ongoing challenges to democracy and good governance. The BBC’s editorial independence is central to the trust and value audiences place in the service.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
- Proven experience managing and developing journalism teams, with the ability to build a positive, high-performing culture and support individuals to deliver their best work.
- Strong track record of commissioning, shaping and delivering high-impact digital journalism, with a clear understanding of what drives audience engagement.
- Demonstrable success in developing and implementing data-led video strategies, delivering measurable audience growth and impact.
- Advanced understanding of audience analytics, search optimisation and platform performance, with the ability to translate data into effective editorial decisions.
- Strong editorial creativity, with the ability to adapt storytelling approaches and formats for different platforms, audiences and consumption behaviours.
- Experience of using innovative storytelling techniques, including data journalism and other approaches that enhance clarity, depth and audience understanding.
- Strong communication skills in English and Pidgin, both written and verbal, with the ability to represent the BBC effectively in senior internal forums.
- Proven ability to shoot, script and edit video stories using tools such as Final Cut Pro (FCPx) and QEdit, with the ability to deliver polished, engaging, audience-focused content which is optimised for digital platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook
- Excellent scriptwriting and storytelling skills for a variety of digital formats, including short, mid and long form video and audio (podcast) formats.
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Disclaimer
This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.
Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.
For any general queries, please contact: [email protected]
We are unable to accept applications via CV and only applications made online will be considered. Please click on the APPLY NOW button to proceed with your application.