Lotus FM Senior Producer: Mandate at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

The main purpose of the position

• To supervise and facilitate production and delivery of all Mandate Programming (Drama & Education) in line with the station’s programming strategy, programme briefs, & ICASA regulations and licence conditions.

Key Accountabilities

• Make input in the strategy formulation of the radio station or business unit.
• Develop, supervise, and implement a strategic plan for the production and acquisition of high-quality Mandate (Drama & Education) Programmes across all mandate areas.
• Quality checks all content submissions for all mandate areas and ensure compliance with mandate and licence requirements.
• Ensure adherence to the station’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and ensure sign-off with internal and external stakeholders, and see that they are executed.
• Keeping abreast of government legislation and regulations about the entire broadcast value chain and compiling weekly, monthly, quarterly ICASA, SAMRO, SAMPRA, BCCSA, and other legislated compliance reports.
• Execute programme formats, striking an acceptable balance on genre delivery according to the station’s licence conditions (Talk vs Music, Music Quotas (local vs International), Magazines, Documentaries, Commemorations, Docu-Drama, Soapie, Serial Drama, Education, Religion, Sport, Language development, Storytelling, Disability, Social Cohesion, African Renaissance, and Cultural content.
• Ensure implementation of Programming content recommended by research findings, Programming Mediation Review and Advisory Committees (PMRAC), and Public feedback sessions.
• Conduct continuous reviews of products, markets, and revenue to meet strategic objectives and ensure a competitive edge.
• Liaise with various internal (i.e., Sales and Marketing, Finance, Audience Research, Internal Content Providers, etc.) and external stakeholders to ensure mandate programming strategic objectives are met.
• Implement a multi- platform media plan in line with approved strategy and briefs.
• Supervise and implement the output of Mandate Programming plans for the station within the allocated budget.
• Organise resources for the programming team and ensure efficient utilisation thereof.
• Utilise continuous research to ensure high-quality programming to deliver on programming objectives.
• Monitor programmes to ensure quality and alignment with station position.
• Review business plans to ensure schedule stability.
• Explore opportunities for Co-productions and pre-sales for cost containment.
• Interaction with radio sales to ensure that product campaign runs smoothly and is on time for on- air production.
• Utilize research information from marketing to create brand and programming awareness.
• Adherence to regulations and legislation in broadcasting i.e., ICASA compliance, the Broadcast Act etc.
• Monitor and report on the operational risks and compliance matters.
• Implement internal control measures to ensure good governance.
• Supervise risks to protect organisational integrity, create value, prevent financial loss, and ensure compliance with applicable policies and legislation.
• Implement Risk Management Plan in line with the Organizational Risk Framework:
• Formulate Internal Risk Controls
• Communications
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Implement internal risk audits, identify and address gaps.
• Engage constantly with Internal and External business partners to achieve business objectives.
• Understand the needs of the station’s target audience and offer compelling programming content in line with the mandate.
• Oversee public engagements and respond to complaints.
• Liaise with Sales Department and Business Development around programme sponsorships, trade exchanges, and product placement campaigns to realize revenue growth.
• Liaise with internal and external content providers to ensure content alignment with programming strategy.
• Effective implementation of the Performance Management System in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Supervise adequate staffing for workload, succession planning, and effective leadership.
• Effective briefing and communication with departmental staff.
• Complete Personal Development Plans (PDP) for direct reports.
• Provide direction on the retention and attraction of staff.
• Conduct Individual coaching, counselling, and mentoring on an ongoing basis to meet performance needs.
• Coordinate available staff and ensure fair and balanced distribution of work.
• Carry out reasonable delegated duties that may be required to ensure that the station operates and performs effectively and efficiently.

Requirements:

• National diploma in Speech & Drama, Linguistics, Education, or relevant area. (NQF Level 6)
• Creativity - deviating from traditional methods in developing programme briefs/script
• Digital media skills.
• 4-5 years’ experience in radio content production
• Ability to create reporting processes to ensure accountability.
• Excellent command of the language of the radio station (both written and spoken).
• Advanced knowledge of Radio production processes and systems.
• Budget management and forward planning ability.
• Project management skills.
• Editorial acumen.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• People management skills.
• Information management systems
• Understanding of the different role players within the media landscape.
• Understanding of applicable legislative frameworks and regulations, ICASA, BCCSA Code, SABC Editorial Policies, Presentation Style guide, Clocks, Formats, and high-quality standards for programmes.

Deadline:1st March,2026