BBC Swahili Journalist Job Vacancy – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
BBC World Service is seeking an experienced and versatile Journalist to join BBC Swahili in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This permanent, full-time opportunity is suited to a journalist who can confidently produce news for digital platforms, television, radio and social media.
The successful candidate will work across different formats, from writing online news articles and producing short-form videos to conducting interviews, reporting breaking news and contributing to radio and television output.
Job Details
Position: Journalist – BBC Swahili
Employer: BBC
Department: BBC World Service
Job Band: C
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Employment Terms: Local terms and conditions
BBC is also open to discussing flexible working arrangements. Candidates who have a preferred working arrangement may indicate this during the application process, although doing so is not compulsory.
About BBC Swahili
BBC Swahili is one of the major language services operated by the BBC World Service, serving millions of Swahili-speaking audiences in East Africa and other parts of the world.
The service delivers news and current affairs through digital platforms, radio and television, with an emphasis on accurate, independent and impartial journalism.
BBC Swahili is developing a more story-led approach to journalism through two main editorial streams: On the Day, which focuses largely on immediate and developing stories, and On Demand, which includes planned digital, video and podcast content.
The Journalist will contribute across these areas and will be expected to understand how individual stories can be adapted effectively for different audiences and platforms.
About the BBC Swahili Journalist Role
This is a multimedia journalism position that requires much more than producing content for a single platform.
Depending on the day's news and editorial priorities, the Journalist may write an article for the BBC Swahili website, record and edit a video, prepare a radio package, conduct an interview or produce material for social media.
Candidates should therefore be comfortable switching between different storytelling formats while maintaining accuracy and BBC editorial standards.
The role requires journalists who understand how people consume news differently across websites, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, television and radio.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
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Write accurate, informative and engaging Swahili news articles for the BBC Swahili website.
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Produce well-structured digital stories while considering search visibility and online audience needs.
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Create and present short-form news videos, interviews, explainers and reaction pieces.
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Produce content suitable for platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook and YouTube Shorts.
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Record video independently using mobile phones or professional camera equipment when required.
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Edit short videos while maintaining good picture quality, sound, framing, captions and basic graphics.
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Present confidently on camera and contribute to BBC Swahili's television and digital video output.
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Participate in radio programming, including presenting, interviewing, scripting and voicing news packages.
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Research, script, shoot and edit television news packages independently or alongside Video Journalists.
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Develop reliable contacts and sources across East Africa to support original reporting and newsgathering.
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Identify stories and angles that go beyond information already available from news agencies and other media outlets.
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Participate in live coverage of breaking news across BBC platforms.
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Work quickly during major developing stories without compromising accuracy, fairness or BBC editorial standards.
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Verify information obtained from social media, eyewitnesses and user-generated content before publication.
Skills and Experience Required
Applicants should demonstrate strong multimedia journalism experience and the ability to work professionally across different platforms.
Digital Journalism
Candidates should have proven experience producing news for digital platforms, including websites and social media.
Strong online writing skills are essential, particularly the ability to write clear, accurate and engaging articles in Swahili while meeting tight publishing deadlines.
Applicants should also understand how digital headlines, article structure and other publishing practices can help audiences discover and understand stories online.
Social Media and Short-Form Video
Applicants should have practical experience producing short videos for platforms such as:
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TikTok
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Instagram Reels
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YouTube
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YouTube Shorts
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Facebook
Candidates should understand how to structure short-form news videos so that they attract attention, communicate information clearly and remain suitable for the intended audience.
Video Production
The position requires practical experience filming video using either mobile devices or camera equipment.
Candidates should understand essential production principles such as:
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Camera framing
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Lighting
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Clear audio
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Interview positioning
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Location filming
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Studio production
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Basic video editing
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Captions and graphic overlays
The successful candidate should be comfortable producing usable footage in both planned and fast-moving news environments.
On-Camera Presentation
Applicants should be confident appearing on camera and able to communicate naturally with audiences.
This may include presenting scripted reports, conducting interviews, delivering live updates and participating in two-way discussions for television or online streaming.
Radio Journalism
Experience producing content for radio is also required.
Candidates should understand how to write scripts that sound natural when spoken and should have experience recording voice packages, conducting interviews and contributing to broadcast programs.
News Verification and Reporting
The Journalist must be able to gather, verify and report information accurately, particularly when covering breaking news.
Candidates should understand journalistic verification methods and be able to assess material obtained from social media and other user-generated sources before it is used by the BBC.
The ability to remain accurate and impartial while working under deadline pressure is essential.
Language Requirements
Applicants must be highly proficient in both Swahili and English.
Candidates should be able to:
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Speak Swahili and English fluently.
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Write professionally in both languages.
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Edit and review written material.
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Conduct interviews.
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Present content for broadcast and digital audiences.
Excellent command of Swahili is particularly important because much of the role involves producing content for BBC Swahili audiences.
What BBC Is Looking For
This opportunity is likely to suit a journalist who is comfortable working in a modern multimedia newsroom rather than specialising in only one form of journalism.
Strong candidates should be able to move naturally between writing, filming, interviewing, presenting, editing and publishing while maintaining high standards of accuracy.
Experience covering East African news and having a strong network of contacts within the region may also help candidates contribute original stories and reporting.
Employment Screening
Candidates who receive an employment offer from the BBC may be required to undergo pre-employment screening.
Depending on the position, checks may include:
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Employment references
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Eligibility to work verification
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Safeguarding checks
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Adverse media checks
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Social media checks
Where applicable, applicants may also be required to disclose relevant unspent convictions or police charges in accordance with BBC recruitment procedures.
An employment offer may remain conditional until the required checks have been completed satisfactorily.
How to Apply for the BBC Swahili Journalist Job
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official BBC online recruitment system using the application link provided in the vacancy announcement.
The BBC has indicated that applications submitted simply by sending a CV will not be accepted. Candidates must complete the required online application process to be considered.
Before applying, applicants should:
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Read the full job requirements carefully.
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Ensure their employment and education history is accurate.
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Highlight relevant journalism, digital media, video, radio and television experience.
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Demonstrate experience producing content in both Swahili and English.
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Provide examples of multimedia journalism experience where requested.
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Complete every required part of the online application.
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Submit the application before the closing date stated on the official recruitment page.
Candidates should follow the Apply Now link provided with the vacancy to access the BBC recruitment portal and complete their application.
Important Notice
Applicants should apply only through the official application procedure provided by the BBC. Ensure that all information submitted during recruitment is correct and complete.
Only candidates who meet the requirements and progress through the recruitment process may be contacted for further assessment or interviews.
