Senior Producer- Current Affairs: Eastern Cape 1 (13207) at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

Main Purpose of the Position:

• To lead, guide and provide editorial direction to the Xhosa and English-speaking Audio News production team to deliver in-depth treatment of News and Current Affairs in the target languages and in accordance with SABC News’ editorial objectives and public mandate.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead, guide and provide editorial direction to a team of Xhosa and English-speaking Producers / Presenters in a bid to provide in-depth coverage of News and Current Affairs issues in accordance with the public mandate.
• Research stories and identify potential interviewees through various news mediums.
• Attend daily diary and editorial meetings with or at the request of the Executive Producer.
• Compile the Radio Current Affairs programme running order, indicating stories, interviews and Questions & Answers (Q&As) for broadcast, publishing and posting.
• Lead effective, efficient and creative brainstorming sessions for Radio Current Affairs programmes and determine content depth and quality.
• Determine and assign stories and continuously give direction to the production and broadcast teams.
• Continuously follow-up on the progress of stories until delivered for on-air production, broadcast, podcasting and posting.
• Research, analyse and understand the undercurrents, subtexts and nuances in News and Current Affairs stories and developments, and determine their importance and relevance.
• Contact, schedule and line-up appropriate, relevant and diverse newsmakers, editors / reporters and analysts for meaningful input on stories.
• Write, translate, voice, package and edit quality News and Current Affairs stories and features.
• Brief, guide, mentor and give direction to the production team regarding writing, translating and compiling of cue-sheets, scripts, packages and podcasts and social media posts.
• Brief Producers / Presenters on different story angles to pursue.
• Edit all scripts and audio to ensure quality on-air production, broadcasts and podcasts, including facts, accuracy, balance and fairness.
• Brief the Technical Producer / Operator on the programme running order and work with them to prepare for and process all news audio items for broadcast, publishing and posting.
• Write and produce strong teasers and programme trails with defining, meaningful and memorable soundbites.
• Monitor and give direction during the broadcast of the Radio Current Affairs programmes.
• Professionally engage in, co-ordinate and check digital / social media activity and content to enhance overall programmes and online content.
• Assign on-air tasks to Producers / Presenters (social media, follow-ups and breaking / developing stories etc.).
• Determine where and when to slot in relevant and meaningful audience contributions during a programme, including doing pre-interviews and written / social media communication and comment.
• Manage all segments in the programme to comply with the allocated and available time.
• Continuously review content and programmes for improvements.
• Form and maintain good relations with all newsmakers and attend networking sessions.
• Consult and engage on stories daily and in advance of known news events, including briefing and debriefing sessions.
• Maintain good relations with all News teams to overcome challenges and defuse tension constructively.
• Archive all content and programmes – in script and audio – immediately after broadcast.
• Write / compile Outside Broadcast (OB) plans and submit feedback reports timeously.
• Contribute to compliance reports and audience complaints within required deadlines.
• Adhere to the Constitution, all laws, ICASA’s licence conditions and regulations, the BCCSA and Press Council codes and rulings, the SABC Editorial Policies, News style-guide and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) etc.

Requirements:

• National Diploma / Degree in Journalism or Media Studies or related equivalent qualifications (NQF 6 / 7)
• 6 years’ proven experience in writing and producing News and Current Affairs programmes, especially for radio, and broadcast journalism
• Xhosa and English proficiency and fluency, including exceptional reading, writing, translating, interpreting and speaking / presenting skills
• Strong news sense and editorial judgement
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of Audio News and Current Affairs production processes, systems and broadcasts
• Good understanding of current trends in the social, economic and political environment
• Knowledge of and interest in journalism, media and broadcast developments and trends
• Understanding multi-media platform production
• Understanding legislation and regulations impacting broadcasting
• Computer literacy

CLOSING DATE : 25 JANUARY 2026