The BBC is recruiting an experienced Africa Correspondent to join its World News Content team in Johannesburg, South Africa. This permanent, full-time position offers an exceptional opportunity for accomplished journalists to report on some of the continent’s most significant political, economic, cultural, and geopolitical developments while producing impactful journalism for global audiences.
Applications close on 15 September 2026, and successful candidates will work across digital, radio, television, podcasts, and social media, delivering accurate, impartial, and compelling reporting from South Africa and the wider African region.
About the BBC World News Content Team
The BBC’s World News Content department is one of the world’s leading public service journalism operations, delivering trusted and impartial news to audiences across the United Kingdom and internationally.
The Johannesburg Bureau serves as a strategic hub for coverage of South Africa and Southern Africa while contributing extensively to reporting across the wider African continent. From breaking political developments and economic stories to investigative features and cultural reporting, the bureau produces original journalism that reaches millions of people across multiple platforms every day.
This role is suited to a journalist with deep regional expertise, exceptional storytelling skills, and the ability to deliver high-quality reporting under demanding deadlines.
Position Overview
The Africa Correspondent will lead specialist coverage of major news events across Africa, producing insightful reporting and analysis in text, audio, video, and television formats.
Working within a fast-paced newsroom, the successful candidate will identify original stories, cover breaking news, conduct field reporting, and develop engaging explainers that help audiences understand complex regional and global issues.
The role also involves deployment to major news events across Africa and, when required, international assignments including work in challenging and hostile environments.
Job Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |
| Position | Africa Correspondent |
| Location | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Department | BBC News – World News Content |
| Contract | Permanent, Full-Time |
| Job Band | Band E |
| Application Deadline | 15 September 2026 |
Key Responsibilities
The correspondent will produce authoritative journalism across the BBC’s digital and broadcast platforms while maintaining the organization’s editorial standards.
Core responsibilities include:
- Reporting breaking news from South Africa and across Africa.
- Producing in-depth geopolitical and cultural analysis.
- Writing engaging digital news stories and live-page updates.
- Creating short-form and long-form digital video reports.
- Filing reports for BBC Online, radio, television, and podcasts.
- Delivering live broadcasts during major news events.
- Developing original investigations and exclusive stories.
- Producing compelling end-of-day feature articles with authentic local perspectives.
- Experimenting with innovative digital storytelling formats.
- Representing the BBC during major international news deployments.
The successful journalist will be expected to consistently identify stories that resonate with both African and global audiences while maintaining impartiality and editorial excellence.
Essential Skills and Experience
The BBC is seeking a highly experienced journalist with a proven record of producing original public-interest journalism.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Extensive recent journalism experience covering South African politics, culture, history, and geopolitics.
- Outstanding English writing and editing abilities.
- Strong editorial judgment and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Experience producing original investigative and analytical journalism.
- Expertise in digital publishing, social media, and digital video production.
- Proven ability to report across radio, television, online, and social platforms.
- Experience packaging stories for television bulletins.
- Strong understanding of audience engagement and multimedia storytelling.
- Willingness to travel extensively across Africa and deploy internationally at short notice.
Candidates must also possess the resilience, creativity, and adaptability required for reporting in rapidly evolving news environments.
Required Application Materials
Applicants must complete the online BBC application and submit the following:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Responses to the BBC application questions.
- Three examples of journalism in English, including:
- A breaking news report (text or broadcast).
- An original journalism story (text, broadcast, or digital video).
- A geopolitical analysis piece (text, digital, or radio).
Applications submitted solely by email or CV will not be considered.
Why Join the BBC?
The BBC offers journalists the opportunity to work within one of the world’s most respected news organizations while contributing to journalism that informs, educates, and holds power to account.
Employees benefit from:
- Permanent full-time employment.
- Competitive salary and locally applicable benefits.
- Outstanding professional development opportunities.
- A collaborative global newsroom.
- Flexible and supportive working practices.
- A diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equal opportunity.
The BBC actively welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including candidates regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, or socio-economic background.
Important Eligibility Information
This position is based in Johannesburg, and local South African terms and conditions apply. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate having the legal right to work in South Africa.
Employment is also subject to reference checks, right-to-work verification, safeguarding assessments where applicable, and adverse media or social media screening in accordance with BBC recruitment policies.
Application Deadline
Applications close on 15 September 2026.
Experienced journalists with a passion for African affairs, multimedia storytelling, and public-interest reporting are encouraged to apply through the BBC’s official online careers portal before the deadline.
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.
