JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title : Assistant Writer
Duty Station : Cox’s Bazar
Grade : 2
Reports To : Producer/ Director
Duration : Fixed term contract till 31st December 2021
Start Date : ASAP

Context:

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development charity. We use media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries. We partner with civil society, local media and others to produce creative programmes in multi-media formats which inform and engage audiences around key development issues and strengthen the media sector through capacity building. Our work is built on insights from our research and engagement with communities and is focused on three key themes: governance and human rights, health and resilience.
 
We’re now looking for talented and skillful assistant writer to help develop scripts for multimedia outputs for our Rohingya emergency projects. Working within a small team, the assistant writer will help write audio and video contents aimed at both Rohingya people and the host community. All the contents will be made in Chittagonian dialect or Rohingya language. The ideal candidate will have experience of writing and delivering high quality audio-visual contents. 

Overall purpose:

To work within the production team to ensure that scripts are delivered on time and in accordance with BBC Media Action’s high creative standards and editorial requirements. S/he will be designated to write different factual and non-factual content for different media as per requirement of the production team. S/he will also be responsible to translate the scripts to English/ Rohingya language with the help of language specialist as per requirement.

Main Duties & responsibilities:

  • Work with the writing and creative team to develop and agree the story, characters, learning points and other creative elements for the series.
  • Contribute to concept development and characterisation of the story.
  • Participate actively in a story, character, and script-development workshop and further brainstorming or joint-development activities as required.
  • Write designated drama and factual scripts in line with the agreed characters, storyline, messaging, and other briefs provided by the producer; providing at least three drafts (initial, second, polish) and incorporating feedback from the producer and other members of the team.
  • Translate scripts to English and Rohingya dialect as per necessity.
  • Work closely with the producer and other designated team members to ensure smooth delivery of the product.
  • Engage in necessary discussions with the production/project team to understand the programme.
  • Work flexibly across BBC Media Action's offices in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, as necessary.
  • To undertake any other duties requested by the line manager.

Skills, knowledge, and experience requirements:

Criteria
Essential / Desirable
An interest in audio-visual production
E
Knowledge of established script writing
E
Excellent Bangla language skills (written and spoken).
E
Excellent Rohingya language skills (spoken)
D
Functional English language skills (written and spoken).
D
Strong understanding of gender-related needs and concerns within humanitarian and displacement contexts.
E
Experience of working in a development or related setting, with an understanding of the needs of socially excluded/unprivileged groups.
D
Organised, with the ability to prioritise, manage workload and deadlines and maintain attention to detail.
E
Well-developed IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
E
Experience in a writing role within television, preferably within a factual or drama genre.
D
An understanding of BBC global output
D
An understanding of the Rohingya culture and context
D
Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to form and maintain effective working relationships.
E
Functional understanding of safeguarding principles and commitment to follow BBC Media Action’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding policy
E
Commitment to equal opportunities and health & safety.
E

In general, normal office hours will apply but the nature of the role means that a flexible approach to working time will be necessary. The role may involve working with groups of vulnerable children and adults. For the successful candidate, mandatory training will be provided on BBC Media Action’s safeguarding policy and staff code of conduct. A police background check may form part of the recruitment process. BBC Media Action operates a zero-tolerance policy concerning all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people.

Applications:

Interested applicants should carefully complete the BBC Media Action job application form by downloading from the link. Mark your application form with your name and mention the position in the email subject line before emailing to applications@bd.bbcmediaaction.org

The deadline for submitting applications is 21/10/2020.

BBC is an equal opportunity employer