Health Journalist jobs

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: D

CONTRACT TYPE: Attachment/ Fixed-Term contract until 02/05/2027, Full-time

DEPARTMENT: BBC Scotland News

LOCATION: Edinburgh or Glasgow – Hybrid

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £41,000 - £49,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

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

BBC EXTEND

This role is advertised as part of our BBC Extend programme for disabled people. To apply for this role you should identify as deaf, disabled or neurodivergent and must meet either the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010) , or the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) if applying in Northern Ireland. You’re broadly defined as disabled under both acts if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative or adverse effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. This definition includes both apparent and non-apparent conditions and impairments, and medical conditions such as Cancer, HIV or Multiple Sclerosis.

We are committed to making the process of applying for this role as accessible as possible. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the application process, or have any questions about our Extend programme, please contact extend@bbc.co.uk .

The BBC are fully committed to providing workplace adjustments to help eliminate barriers in the workface that disabled people face. To do this, we have our own dedicated BBC Access and Disability Service that provides assessments and support throughout employment with us. If you are successful in applying for this role and require workplace adjustments, we will work with you to get your adjustments in place.

If you’d like more information on BBC Extend, please visit the BBC Extend webpage . (EXTEND code: EX2324).

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The commissioning and original journalism team is looking for a multi-platform producer on attachment to cover the health producer for maternity leave. The role will include broadcast production and some multi-platform reporting, working flexibly with emphasis on developing specialist knowledge around the health brief. You'll need to be able to assess complicated documents and data to turn them into engaging stories with people at their heart. Experience or at least an interest in devolved policy and health stories will be important, but also an understanding of how to cover the team's brief with accuracy, impartiality and underserved audiences in mind. The role will include on the day production, sometimes covering general news or other specialisms. Strong editorial judgement, an ability to think creatively and generate original ideas will be essential.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

As a specialist producer, you will have the opportunity to work on high-impact original journalism both independently and as part of a collaborative team. You’ll gain expertise in one of the most important areas of devolved policy and experience of working in a team with some of the newsroom’s most experienced journalists. It’s a chance to develop skills in data analysis, writing for online and developing creative treatments for broadcast.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• To originate and produce stories which includes researching, writing, filming and editing content across a range of BBC output
• Occasionally reporting on air for broadcast and regularly writing for the BBC News website
• Seeking ways to increase diversity in our contributors and to ensure that our output reflects the audiences we serve
• Deliver impartial and accurate journalism of the highest standard and within the required timeframe using available resources
• At all times to carry out duties in accordance with the BBC health and safety policy and editorial guidelines.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• A high standard of editorial judgment, writing ability and production skills based on substantial broadcast journalism experience
• Knowledge of health policy and the main issues in the specialist brief
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as a member of more than one team, resolving conflicts as necessary
• Ability to manage resources, staff, and technical facilities in the most cost effective way to meet tight deadlines
• Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC and understands how individual differences can benefit the BBC

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Good understanding of how to use existing and emerging technology
• Experience of newsgathering using mobile phones
• Experience in data journalism and use of Freedom of Information requests
• Ability to analyse complex documents for detail and news value
• Experience of handling sensitive contributors and other challenging stakeholders

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

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