Senior Journalist, Planning & Commissioning

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: D

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time

DEPARTMENT: BBC News

LOCATION: Islamabad, Pakistan

Any offers of employment with the BBC will be conditional upon you having the right to work in Pakistan.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The role leads editorial planning and content commissioning for BBC Urdu across digital, video, social and linear platforms. Working closely with editors, journalists, producers and audience teams, the postholder will identify and develop original story ideas, coordinate coverage plans, commission high-quality journalism, and manage workflows to ensure the delivery of timely, relevant and distinctive content that meets audience needs, supports editorial priorities, and drives engagement across platforms.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Joining BBC News Urdu means becoming part of one of the world’s most respected news organisations, committed to journalistic excellence. This role offers the chance to report on original and impactful stories from across Pakistan for BBC Urdu’s diverse platforms, serving millions of Urdu-speaking audiences. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, professional environment that values integrity, diversity, and innovation; while growing your skills and advancing your career.

Your Key Responsibilities And Impact

• Lead editorial planning and commissioning for BBC Urdu, ensuring coverage reflects audience needs, editorial priorities, and major news developments across platforms.
• Commission and oversee high-quality content from journalists, correspondents and production teams, maintaining BBC editorial standards and distinctive storytelling.
• Manage forward planning and editorial calendars, identifying opportunities around breaking news, special events, investigations, explainers and audience-focused initiatives.
• Drive the development of innovative, multimedia journalism, ensuring content is optimised for digital, social, video and broadcast audiences.
• Use audience insights, performance data and market trends to inform commissioning decisions and maximise engagement and reach.
• Collaborate with BBC News teams, Language Services and wider content partners to strengthen coverage, increase impact and share resources effectively.
• Champion compliance, inclusion and continuous improvement, ensuring content meets editorial, legal and safety requirements while reflecting a diverse range of perspectives and voices.
  
  

Essential Criteria

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Significant journalism experience with a proven track record in editorial planning, commissioning, content development and/or newsroom leadership in a fast-paced news environment.
• Strong editorial judgement, with the ability to identify high-impact stories, shape coverage strategies and deliver distinctive journalism that serves audience needs.
• Excellent knowledge of Pakistan, South Asia and international news, alongside a strong understanding of digital journalism, audience engagement and multi-platform content production.
• Experience commissioning, developing and guiding journalists and production teams, maintaining high editorial standards while delivering content across digital, video, social and broadcast platforms.
• Demonstrable understanding of risk assessment, newsroom operations and the safety considerations involved in covering conflict zones, hostile environments and high-security situations.
• Strong analytical, organisational and project management skills, with experience using audience insights and performance data to inform editorial decision-making and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication, writing and editing skills in Urdu, with strong English-language comprehension, alongside a sound understanding of BBC Editorial Guidelines, media law and health and safety requirements.
  
  

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Experience in commissioning long-form, investigative or multiplatform journalism.
• Experience working with audience analytics and digital performance tools.
• Knowledge of emerging storytelling technologies and AI-assisted newsroom workflows.
  
  

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

For any general queries, please contact: [email protected]

We are unable to accept applications via CV and only applications made online will be considered. Please click on the APPLY NOW button to proceed with your application.