Assistant Editor, BBC Somali

The Assistant Editor, BBC Somali, is the day-to-day editorial lead for the service.

Job Requisition ID: 48303

Job Closing Date: 15 July 2026

Nairobi, KEN, 0 0100

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: E
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC World Service
LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya

Local terms and conditions

We’re happy to discuss flexible working. If you’d like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there’s no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

BBC World Service is creating a new Horn of Africa Language Services Unit in Nairobi, bringing together BBC Somali, BBC Afaan Oromo, BBC Tigrinya and BBC Amharic under a single editorial leadership structure for the first time.
BBC Somali is one of the most trusted international news services for Somali-speaking audiences in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and across a substantial and highly engaged diaspora. It is a service with strong editorial heritage and, under this new structure, significant opportunity for growth: the transformation to a digital-first, video-led operation that can reach a new generation of Somali audiences who consume news primarily through smartphones, YouTube and social media.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
The Assistant Editor, BBC Somali, is the day-to-day editorial lead for the service. You hold full editorial responsibility for BBC Somali’s output; every story published, every video produced, every broadcast transmitted carries your editorial authority. You work within the Horn of Africa unit, reporting to the News Editor who sets the regional vision, while retaining the editorial autonomy and authority needed to serve BBC Somali’s distinct audience with relevance, rigour and ambition.
This is a role for an editor who combines strong journalistic instincts with genuine digital ambition; someone who can lead a team through a significant transformation in how BBC Somali reaches and serves its audiences, while maintaining the editorial standards and audience trust that make the service matter.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:
• Lead BBC Somali’s transformation to a digital-first, video-led service, creating a culture of editorial ambition, personal accountability, mutual respect and continuous learning.
• Develop and implement a data-led video strategy designed to drive measurable digital growth, with a focus on expanding reach among younger and female audiences.
• Use audience insight, analytics and platform trends to inform commissioning, distribution and editorial decision-making, ensuring content remains competitive and relevant.
• Commission, edit and deliver high impact original journalism, including exclusives, investigations, explainers and digital-first content.
• Work actively with the other Horn of Africa Assistant Editors and the News Editor to identify shared stories, avoid duplication and coordinate coverage of regional and cross-border events that cut across all four services.
• Commission and collaborate with the Horn of Africa Production Hub, using its video, production and digital distribution expertise to enhance original journalism rather than duplicating capability within the service.
• Embed a culture of performance awareness within the team, supporting journalists to understand what drives engagement and identify gaps and opportunities in audience reach, proactively adjusting content mix, formats and editorial priorities to maximise impact.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, set direction, manage performance and foster a culture of creativity and collaboration.
• Strong track record of commissioning, shaping and delivering high-impact digital journalism, with a deep understanding of digital distribution (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp and BBC platforms) and evidence of growing audiences.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful data-led video strategies, and experience delivering major production initiatives, such as launching formats, driving digital transformation or building operations from scratch.
• Experience of innovative solutions to storytelling challenges such as data journalism, and presenting analysis in ways that aid audience understanding.
• Advanced understanding of audience analytics, search optimisation and platform performance, with the ability to translate data into effective editorial decisions.
• Fluency in written and spoken Somali and English, both written and verbal, with the ability to represent the BBC effectively in senior internal forums.

DESIRABLE:
• 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

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.