Deadline: February 26, 2019
The BBC is seeking a rising star of African journalism for the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award, now in its fifth year. The BBC World News Komla Dumor Award will be made to an outstanding individual living and working in Africa, who combines strong journalism skills, on air flair, and an exceptional talent in telling African stories with the ambition and potential to become a star of the future.
The award was established to honour Komla Dumor, an exceptional Ghanaian broadcaster and presenter for BBC World News, who died suddenly aged 41 in 2014. Komla Dumor was a journalist of Africa. His passion was to tell African stories to the world with honesty and integrity. The Award is a legacy that the BBC wants to continue. The winner will spend three months at the BBC headquarters in London, gaining skills and experience.
Benefits
- The winner of the BBC World News Komla Dumor award will receive a once-in-a-lifetime training and development opportunity with the BBC in London, starting in early September 2019 and running for three months. Working with teams from across BBC News, the winner will produce an African story for the BBC and have their story and their voice shared across the continent and the world. They will be supported by a high-level BBC mentor and attend courses run by the BBC’s world-class training department, the BBC Academy.
- The BBC will pay for the winner’s flights to and from the UK and for their visa. They will also arrange and pay for the winner’s accommodation in London during their placement. The winner will receive £2,000 per month for the three month placement to cover their living expenses and a one-off payment of £5,000 as a contribution towards loss of salary in their home country. Some of the above may be subject to taxation (and deductions will be made as appropriate).
Eligibility
To apply for this prestigious award, you must be currently living and working as a journalist in Africa.
You must also have the following skills and experience:
- Excellent journalism skills, including in digital and social media.
- Broadcasting experience is preferable.
- An excellent broadcasting voice and strong presenting skills with the ability to perform at the microphone with flair.
- The ability to identify and pitch a strong original African story idea, aligned to the BBC editorial guidelines
- Wide and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the African continent, including politics, business, culture, history and sport.
- Fluency in English as a first or equivalent language.
Additional requirements for all applicants
- You must provide a CV (maximum two pages) / complete a careers hub profile.
- You must hold or be able to obtain by 1st March 2019 a passport that is valid until at least 31st January 2020.
- You must not be a current or former member of BBC staff.
- If successful, your employer must be willing to release you for three months from September 2019 for you to travel on your own to take up your placement in London.
- The visa requires that you hold a degree or are studying towards a degree equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
- References, proof of employment, birth certificate, passport, an appropriate UK visa and proof of level of English will be required from shortlisted candidates.
Application
For more information, visit Komla Dumor Award.
