BBC World News Komla Dumor Award 2018 for African Journalists (Fully Funded to work at BBC UK & £2,000/Month Stipend)

Application Deadline: March 23rd 2018

The BBC is seeking a rising star of African journalism for the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award, now in its fourth year. Journalists from across the continent are invited to apply for the award, which aims to uncover and promote fresh talent from Africa.

The winner will spend three months at the BBC headquarters in London, gaining skills and experience.

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.

It 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.

As well as spending time with the BBC in London, the winner will also get to travel to Africa to report a story – and have that story shared across the continent and the world.

Eligibility Requirements:

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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/
• 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 2018 a passport that is valid until at least 31st January 2019.
• 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 2018 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.

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 2018 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.
• BBC 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).

The award entries will be judged and the winner decided by:

• Professor Audrey Gadzekpo – Senior Lecturer in Communications at University of Ghana
• Jonathan Munro – Head of Newsgathering in News and Current Affairs
• Alice Muthengi –  Senior Broadcast Journalist – BBC African Service

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award 2018