Producer/Director – BBC (Paris)

Package Description

Band: D

Location: Paris, France or London Broadcasting House Office

Contract: 12-Month FTC/Attachment

Job board closing: 11:59pm (BST) Thursday 28th of November 2024

Job Introduction

Delivering high impact investigative journalism that holds power to account is a strategic objective for World Service.

The World Service Long form and Investigations department brings together and amplifies the impact of Languages’ award-winning investigative and documentary making teams. It includes the OSINT Team, Africa Eye, Arabic Investigations, Eye Investigations, the Disinformation Unit, a newly formed China Unit and Podcasting in Languages, as well as Learning English. Operating all across the world, the group is made up of executive producers, series producers, OSINT experts, producers, journalists and researchers who produce fearless and pioneering journalism about various topics that only the BBC World Service can deliver.

The WS Longform also collaborates closely with all the Language Services and teams in World Service Content and Output to deliver the best value to our global audiences.

The department has also inspired and trained many young journalists across the globe to use OSINT and traditional tools of forensic journalism to reach and engage millions of the underserved audiences with its brand of immersive storytelling.

We are looking for an experienced Producer/Director with a background in OSINT investigations, excellent editorial judgment, outstanding writing and video-making skills, experience of complex investigations in hostile environments, a rigorous standard of evidence checking, a real flair for producing compelling journalism for various platforms (TV, radio news, digital and social)..
To creatively define the mood and personality of content, carefully crafting content that will resonate with a wider audience. Visually drive the programme both in terms of style and structure, encouraging innovation but always working within BBC editorial guidelines. work effectively with other departments, suppliers and partners (internal and external) ensuring the BBC maintains excellent relationships throughout. Lead, motivate and support a team, ensuring that the editorial vision is communicated and understood. Working closely with Production Management by ensuring every aspect of the production is carefully planned so that production schedules ensure maximum productivity and come in on budget. To ensure content reflects our diverse audiences. Liaise with Talent Rights negotiation, and other BBC contract negotiators where required, and ensure copyright and contracts adhere to BBC regulations. Develop and manage positive working relationships with staff, contributors and talent and be able to give constructive feedback. Contribute to the development and implementation of the department’s strategy and policy. Seek improvements in content production to develop further efficiencies in working practices. Accountable for the compliance and delivery of content, acting within BBC Editorial, Legal and Health and Safety guidelines

Main Responsibilities

Excellent editorial judgement to develop and deliver compelling investigations driven by OSINT technique.
To work with regional investigative editors to get their buy-in for the strongest stories and transform them into powerful longer form video
To find and develop pure OSINT stories into short-form impactful films working with the series producer of the unit and the video editor/motion designer of the team.
Outstanding and proven ability to transform investigative findings and visual evidence into compelling films with the flair for writing clear and incisive scripts, structuring short and long-form films and crafting them in the edit, and giving clear and imaginative direction to produce documentaries with a lot of motion graphics.
Rigorous fact-checking ability to ensure that all output meets the highest standards of accuracy and fairness. A proven grasp of the methodologies and tools that allow you to critically interrogate every piece of evidence.
Real flair for producing videos and content that feel native on various platforms (TV, radio, digital and social)
To work closely with the production management and series producer to ensure every aspect of the production is carefully planned so that filming and editing schedules ensure maximum productivity and programmes come in on budget.
Thorough understanding of the needs and profile of our target audiences across World Service and the ability to translate these into imaginative and compelling multi-platform content.

Are you the Right Candidate?

A thorough knowledge of BBC editorial guidelines and other compliance policies, or has the desire to glean this knowledge quickly.
Understanding of the importance of the BBC’s values in accuracy and impartiality.
A passion for and a great understanding of the area in which the role operates.
Strong track record in the area in which the role operates with a wide ranging knowledge of production processes.
Proven experience of the latest production techniques and technologies, for example self-shooting where necessary.
Excellent editorial judgement and knowledge of the target audience, their needs and expectations
Experience of influencing, negotiating and communicating effectively and credibly both internally and with external agencies/talent and partners.
Ability to establish effective short and long term relationships with a wide range of people, talent, partners and agencies.
Highly developed planning and organising skills. Ability to manage several areas of work at one time, prioritising, delivering consistently to deadlines and reacting positively to changes and conflicting priorities.
Sound editorial judgement and a thorough knowledge of editorial and legal guidelines.
Proven experience of taking ideas from concept to finished product whilst driving forward creativity.
Able to lead the team to develop creative ideas which engage diverse audiences in a demanding creative environment
Experience of managing and motivating a team, and actively managing team performance, including talent.
Able to communicate and contribute to the department strategy as required.
An up to date knowledge of the BBC’s diverse audiences and their needs and expectations and use this to shape creative and engagement output.
Has the ability to consider a range of problems and uses own judgement to apply effective, time critical solutions.
Experience and knowledge of managing financial budgets and production schedule