Senior presenter, BBC Somali

Closing date: 13 November 2026
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Job band: D
Contract type: Permanent, full-time
Department: BBC World Service

Local terms and conditions apply.

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

Purpose of the role

This role is part of the journalistic team responsible for preparing content for broadcast and digital publication across video and/or audio formats.

The senior presenter is expected to move fluently between platforms, formats and roles. This may include presenting radio programmes, writing web articles, presenting video content, voicing radio packages, publishing social media posts, and filming and editing material, often on the same story within the same shift.

You will present live news, current affairs programmes and digital content in video and/or audio formats, reacting on air to breaking stories, introducing live events and pre-prepared material, and conducting live interviews with people in the news.

The postholder may work as the sole presenter or alongside a co-presenter, as required.

Why join the team

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 a strong editorial heritage and significant opportunity: 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.

Your key responsibilities and impact

• Provides timely, specialist and self-assured news coverage and analysis on events of interest to BBC target audiences
• Plans and conducts interviews with different platforms in mind, tailoring the format and approach for radio, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook
• Has a developed presentation style that is fluent and engages the viewer/listener. Adapts their style for different subjects, audiences and digital platforms. Broadcasts in a manner that is engaging, entertaining and readily understandable to a non-specialist audience, making complex issues accessible
• Observes BBC Editorial Guidelines, always ensuring impartiality and balance
• Presents live and is able to adapt to unfolding stories while on air
• Generates ideas and stories; contributes to the creative treatment and production of items or programmes; provides clear treatments and proposals, ensuring consistency of content, quality and style
• Makes effective use of new technologies, particularly developments in social media, to deliver journalism to audiences. Sets an example in learning to operate new systems and adapting to different ways of working

Your skills and experience

Essential criteria

• An experienced and principled presenter who has proved their ability and built a strong relationship with the audience
• Strong radio production and digital writing skills, including the ability to produce clear, accurate, well-structured articles in Somali that are engaging for online readers
• Strong radio and podcast presentation skills
• Demonstrates balanced and impartial judgement. Able to convey story and programme ideas clearly and contribute fully to the planning process
• Shows flexibility and adaptability to sustain performance, particularly under pressure, while meeting deadlines and responding to changing priorities and circumstances
• Proven ability to produce content across multiple digital platforms, including a news website, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook and radio, with an understanding of the editorial and production requirements of each
• Experience of producing and presenting short-form video content for social media platforms, including vertical formats for TikTok and Instagram Reels, with a clear understanding of what makes short video content hold attention and drive shares

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: bbchr@bbc.co.uk

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.