Jihadist Media Specialist - BBC Monitoring

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Journalism

Fixed Term - Full Time

London, GB, W1A 1AA

BBC PUBLIC SERVICE B'CAST

Job Closing Date: 06/04/2025

THE ROLE

This is your opportunity to be part of a high-impact team with a global reputation, conducting cutting-edge research into propaganda output and activity trends of worldwide jihadist groups.

The candidate should possess professional proficiency in Arabic, English and other relevant languages. This role includes coverage of the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Expert knowledge of militant groups, narratives and propaganda related to these regions is highly desirable.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take an assessment testing their linguistic (Arabic) and editorial capabilities, along with their subject matter knowledge. Testing material will also examine ability to write in English to an advanced standard.

At BBC Monitoring, we track, translate, summarise and analyse local media sources to offer insight and make sense of what is happening on the ground around the world. Our international perspective means we keep across broadcast, press and social/digital media sources in multiple languages, especially where reliable news and information are in short supply, or where the BBC has no presence in country. Our extensive operation enables us to provide reliable coverage of political, economic, security and media news. Our round-the-clock monitoring of TV, radio, press, digital media and news agencies is also provided to a wide range of users, including commercial clients. BBC Monitoring

Please note that this position is being advertised as a one-year fixed term contract.

Main Responsibilities

As part of a small team of jihadist media monitors, you will:

• Produce engaging content in English in a range of different formats (mainly written reports), on insights gained through monitoring the online media outlets of jihadist groups in Arabic and other languages and through knowledge of jihadist groups, their ideologies and the digital tools and platforms they use.
• Produce daily written reports of the highest standards. Your copy (language, structure, information, context, clarity) should require minimal editing by others.
• Develop and maintain expert knowledge of jihadist groups and their use of the media and use your creativity to devise and deliver products which showcase that expertise.
• Enhance team’s knowledge of key jihadist sources and online platforms; ensure we are following reliable and up-to-date sources.
• Contribute to breaking news, as well as produce specialist analytical reports.
• Follow political and media developments globally - particularly those related to jihadist groups and social media technology.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of news and current affairs of the Middle East and the wider Islamic world; and act as a point of reference both internally and for all BBCM’s users.
• Ensure all output produced adheres to the highest journalistic standards and is consistent with BBC editorial guidelines.
• Come up with original ideas and creative treatments for ongoing and emerging narratives, including data-driven products and multimedia elements.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in BBC Monitoring and across the BBC.

NOTE: Applicants should be aware that the work involves regular exposure to violent content and themes that may be distressing.

Are you the right candidate?

• Fluency in Arabic, including the ability to quickly read and understand classical Arabic and religious text that involve complex ideas and terminology.
• Fluency in English with a track record of writing/publishing in English language, preferably with a journalism background. Proven editorial judgment. You will be responsible for editing other journalists’ work and raising quality of output in the team.
• Knowledge of how social media sources work and how to use them to stay on top of the latest jihadist media sources and trends.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to embrace new ways of working and technology to find and analyse information and produce content.
• Knowledge of and interest in current affairs in the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.
• Resilience and ability to cope with workload and tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of languages in addition to Arabic and English, especially ones that are relevant to the team’s work.
• Knowledge of religious terminology, concepts and nuances.
• A proven track record of evaluating jihadist media, understanding its evolution and how the media is currently used by jihadists.
• Knowledge of key players and “influencers” in jihadist media.
• Knowledge of technology/software (e.g. Excel, social media analysis tools) to collect, analyse and visualise data.

Package Description

Job Reference: 22397

Band: C
Contract type: 12 month attachment / fixed term contract
Location: Office base is London. This is a hybrid role and the successful candidate will balance office working with home working.
Salary: £28,000 - £38,000 per annum, depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience + London Weighting (£5,319). The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

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.

• Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
• 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, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym. 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 reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk. For any general queries, please contact: bbchr@bbc.co.uk.

About the BBC

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC for different reasons and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.

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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.

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.

BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.