Type of opportunity: Freelance

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Time Needed: February 2022

Deadline for Applications: 26th January 2022

BBC Media Action

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development organisation. We use media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries. We partner with civil society, local media, and others to produce creative programmes in multi-media formats which inform and engage audiences around key development issues; and strengthen the media sector through capacity building. Our work is built on insights from our research and engagement with communities and is focused on three key themes: governance and rights, health, and resilience.  We have been in Sierra Leone since 2007 supporting media development, creative content production across media houses in the country on issues around governance, accountability, health, education, empowerment etc...

The opportunity

BBC Media Action is looking for radio drama actors to contribute to its planned radio drama on girl’s empowerment in Sierra Leone. The drama is part of our ongoing national radio programme called Wae Gyl Pekin Tinap, implemented by the EAGER (Every Adolescent Girl Empowered and Resilient) consortium with funding from the UK government. Our girl-led content aims to give a platform to groups which don’t often have a voice. We aim to be positive, and solutions focused, creating a more supportive environment around girls by showing audiences what girls can achieve when they are valued, listened to, believed in, and encouraged. The actors will be assigned different roles and expected to demonstrate awareness of the programme objective and focus.

Person specification

The ideal candidates are people that are:

• 18 years old or above

• Can read and understand Krio

• Can read and write in English

• Have a good voice for radio drama

• Be passionate about radio drama and drama generally

• Be curious, hardworking, willing to learn and responsive to feedback

• Be a good team player

• Understand the importance of punctuality, deadlines and time keeping

• Be open to feedback and direction

• Previous drama acting experience is an asset, but not a requirement

We are seeking to cast a wide range of characters including a number of girls and young women. We welcome applications for male and female applicants of all ages, 18 years and above.

How to apply

• Interest applicants/actors are required to complete an enrolment form at    BBC Media Action’s office located at 41i Derek Drive Off Spur Road Freetown from 18th -26th January 2022 (a soft copy is attached and can be printed, filled and returned to the above address)

Selection Criteria

• Each candidate will have an opportunity of 5-10 minutes to show case their radio drama talents/skills including their voices

• The auditioning process may include several stages (including vice addition, sorting, pre-selection etc)

• Selected candidates will sign a freelance contract with BBC Media Action – which will indicate their commitment and compensation

• Other actors will be placed on a ‘Standby’ list in case those selected do not turned up or deliver below BBC Media Action’s expectation

• For further queries/direction, please BBC Media Action’s Drama and HR Teams on the following mobile phone lines. (+23288387702/+232 78539590/+23278888123)

The deadline for the submission of completed enrolments forms is 5pm on Wednesday 26th January 2022

Auditioning will take place on Friday 27th through to Sunday 30th January 2022