BBC

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: E

CONTRACT TYPE: 12 month Fixed-term Contract / attachment, Full-time.

DEPARTMENT: News & Current Affairs

LOCATION: London – Office based

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £51,000 - £61,000 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.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

This is a high profile role and you’ll make a significant contribution to BBC Scotland’s political coverage across all our platforms. Your reporting and analysis will help shape and influence public debate. Your judgement and interpretation of political stories will guide our audiences through often complex and confusing issues. You will demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and impartiality at all times.

The task is to look beyond the daily news agenda and use your political expertise and contacts to generate original journalism and analysis, find the next story or develop a new angle for the BBC. The primary editorial focus will be on Scotland output and how wider political events impact on Scotland and our audiences. However, you will regularly be expected to influence and contribute to the news agenda across the organisation and therefore appear on multiple BBC outlets and platforms.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

This is a unique opportunity for a journalist with exceptional editorial judgment, integrity, and a deep understanding of political storytelling. Your insight will help guide public debate and deliver high-quality journalism that informs, engages, and resonates across Scotland and beyond. In this role, you’ll focus on Scotland’s political landscape, analyzing how wider events shape our audiences while influencing coverage across the broader organisation.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Deliver impartial reporting and analysis and consistently achieve high impact journalism
• Explain and interpret the workings of government and parliament at a Scotland and UK level - and other relevant devolved institutions and organisations - in clear and concise terms for all our audiences.
• Meet the highest journalistic standards and fully observe the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines at all times - with impartiality at the very centre of the role.
• Interpret the news and place events in a wider context.
• Ensure that output reflects all our communities - a commitment to diversity of representation, portrayal and thought.
• Use all formats and platforms available to tell the story in the most appropriate way - with a particular focus on reaching underserved and difficult to reach audiences.
• Exploit our digital space to ensure that audiences have a digital first offer of trusted news and analysis.
• Demonstrate an ability to work within a team; make a positive contribution to a culture of integrity and co-operation
• Brief and advise editorial/production colleagues on relevant topics and events
• Advise programmes across the BBC about suggested coverage and stories, portrayal of political events and appropriate programme interviewees, helping to ensure a full diversity of voices
• Generate live (give accurate updates and analysis whilst events unfold) and packaged content from the field and in the studio for all outputs including flagship TV and radio programmes and digital material

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Significant track record in journalism with an evidence of editorial judgement under pressure.
• Demonstrate a commitment to impartiality and be able to articulate the differences between impartiality, balance and professional judgement.
• Understand all relevant aspects of Scottish Politics in its widest context, including other institutions which affect government.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works with others to be part of a team.
• Know different BBC platforms/services and their audiences, with a particular focus on serving digital and underserved audiences.

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.