Job Description

The Current Affairs Producer/Researcher is a member of the Programs team responsible for all program material produced by and for Sky News Arabia. You will work to create and shape our programs production through intensive, in-depth and substantiated research that will lead to writing original scripts, cutting pictures, finding guests, developing graphics and promotional spots. Your mission will consist of generating ideas, researching topics and initiating contacts with prospective guests and interviewees. You will be in charge of fact-checking and ensuring that the production adheres to appropriate legislation, while ensuring Sky News Arabia’s editorial guidelines and values are adhered to. You will also embrace the full range of content delivery platforms that Sky News Arabia offers and aim to develop cross-platform working practices and ideas whenever possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to generating and developing new program ideas.
• Sourcing and researching facts, figures and information using the internet, film and tape archives, specialist collections, picture libraries, museums and government departments.
• Assessing contributors' suitability for the program, researching and booking appropriate people and locations.
• Booking resources and facilities.
• Providing administrative support such as typing, answering the phone and dealing with contracts.
• Sourcing copyright for literary and music sources and gaining clearance for any materials used.
• Negotiating broadcasting rights and producing information and fact sheets for websites.
• Providing research to production staff in a clear, concise format and tracking down film, archive and video tapes.
• Identifying interviewees to conduct initial interviews.
• Directing a small shoot and carrying out straightforward editing.
• Working with Producers within your team and across the newsroom to cultivate a collaborative approach to programs production and delivery.
  
  
  
  

Key Skills, Experience and Education

• Experience in television news and current-affairs production.
• Comfortable shooting, editing and generally being a jack-of-all-trades in production.
• Good knowledge of current post-production tools and processes and know your way around video editing software.
• Previous experience in national or international broadcast news channels.
• Experience of newsroom production systems and non-linear desktop editing.
• Experience of or appreciation of the benefits and difficulties of cross-platform work.
• A wide political, economic, social and media culture.
• A strong editorial judgment.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, and able to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and at once.
• Proven experience in content design, development and execution for digital platforms and younger-mind-set audiences.
• Fluent in and excellent mastery of both written and spoken Arabic and English. A third language is desirable.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience required.
• BA in Media or related field.