Journalist, Dars (Arabic), Cairo

Job Introduction

BBC Arabic is the largest of the BBC’s forty language services providing multimedia content on BBC platforms and through social media to our Arabic speaking audiences in the Middle East, Gulf and across the world 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Our output is contemporary in style and outlook and adheres to BBC Values of accuracy and impartiality. We aim to have broad appeal, free from commercial, political and religious affiliations or pressures.

BBC Dars is an award-winning programme from the World Service which supports learning aimed at 11-16 year olds. It is designed for audiences of need where children are denied or restricted from accessing education. Since 2023, it has aired in Dari and Pashto and the team have produced 4 series of 12 episodes each for TV, audio, digital and social; each episode features maths, learning English, science or history, news and global inspirational stories. We are have now expanded to Arabic. Our programme brings quality, accurate educational content and impartial global journalism to young audiences.

This is an attachment or fixed term contract until 31st March 2026 based in the BBC Cairo Bureau in Egypt on local Egyptian terms and conditions of employment, working 35 hours per week.

Main responsibilities

• Use a range of video, audio and digital equipment and information technology to research, write, assemble, edit and deliver outputs in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional standards
• May be required to present the content on radio, TV or online. This might be live or recorded
• May include the production and presentation of programmes. This might be live or recorded
• Exercise editorial judgment in developing story ideas and producing accurate and impartial journalism
• To undertake pre and post production and studio work, live and pre-recorded. Use a range of video, audio & digital equipment and information technology to research, write, assemble, edit and deliver programmes in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional standards
• To liaise closely with other team members and with other departments in the BBC, to ensure that output material is shared, duplication is avoided, and best practice is upheld
• Take a lead within a team setting or on delivering a specific piece of journalism or project as appropriate
• To tailor different news treatments for different audiences ensuring that the output reflects the audiences we serve
• To prioritise and plan activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines staffing and resources available
• To produce engaging packages through a range of production skills
• Delivering to tight deadlines while maintaining the highest editorial standards
• At all times to carry out duties in accordance with the BBC Health and Safety policy
  
  

Are you the right candidate?

• Fluent in Modern standard Arabic and English. Able to write engaging scripts in Arabic and translating accurately between Arabic and English
• A clear understanding of what makes engaging multi-platform content, including television, audio and digital, that appeals to young audiences
• A good understanding of young audiences in the region and how stories need to be adapted for a young audience
• Experience writing accurate and engaging scripts for television
• Knowledge of the requirements of TV studio production
• An understanding of what makes compelling digital video, and the requirements of different digital platforms
• A proven background in finding interesting stories that work in both video and audio
• Able to work to direction on an idea or script and to deliver content to agreed specifics and within tight deadlines
• Ability to edit videos on FCPx and QEdit are desirable. Ability to edit audio is desirable
• Expected to be up-to-date with the latest developments in digital/social media storytelling and keen to try new techniques and treatments that work well on social platforms
• Able to source footage and material for digital and TV videos
• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people
• Good editorial judgment
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines and work pro-actively
  
  

Job package

Job Title: Journalist, Dars (Arabic), Cairo

Job Reference: 22494

Band: C

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract or Attachment until 31st March 2026 – local terms and conditions apply

Location: Office Base is Cairo, Egypt

Final date to apply: Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Any offer of employment with the BBC will be conditional upon you having the right to work in Cairo, Egypt.

We’re happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.

Benefits - We offer a negotiable salary package and a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance. You can find out more about working at the BBC by selecting this link to our candidate pack .

If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process please contact the [email protected]. For any general queries, please contact: [email protected].

Freelancers are eligible to apply for an internal role if they are on a Worker Contract and they have worked continuously for 6 months. If they have worked for less than 6 months continuously or have a break of 3 weeks or more between engagements, they must seek Divisional HR approval to apply for an internal role prior to submitting an application.

If you are unsure which contract you are on, you can speak to your booker or the HR BP, however if it helps - both a PAYE freelance or Modus Gross contract is considered a Worker contract and covered by the Worker terms found here .

Please note that the application process will require you to upload a CV and complete the online application form with the opportunity to detail your experience, skills and knowledge required for the role.

About The BBC

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours here .

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please click here .

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.