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Workplace: Belfast
We have a fantastic opportunity for a journalist who really wants to make their mark in Northern Ireland on our market leading programme, UTV Live as well as our many other platforms. This is a great job for someone with a proven track record of delivering the most striking, high-quality, distinctive, visual journalism.
You will need to show you can break new ground with the best story ideas and treatments as well as having the editorial ability to handle, often complex, ‘on the day’ stories.
We're looking for a reporter who will ensure our coverage represents our population in Northern Ireland and the issue people face.
Role Overview
The successful candidate will be a skilled storyteller who’ll also have a strong knowledge of how to handle editorial challenges and a thorough understanding of broadcast regulation and the law. Trust is so important for our audience so you will need to show you can produce reports which are accurate, fair and impartial.
You will be enthusiastic about further developing our online presence, ideally having proven experience of the most effective multiplatform working.
An established self-starter, you will immerse yourself in the community and use your extensive contacts to deliver on the main topics of the day as well as producing original journalism. We want someone who can bring to the fore big talking points, exclusive lines and who can tell a story in the most engaging way with an engaging visual narrative both in recorded items and live on air. You’ll need to know who makes the best contributor and how to conduct searching interviews to construct the clearest argument. This is a job for a team player who is proactive at all times, fully committed to their colleagues and the output.
Alongside your first class communication and teamwork skills, experience of self-shooting, laptop editing and live reporting is desirable. We will expect you to develop your camera and editing skills to complement our newsgathering and storytelling.
Key Responsibilities
- To consistently generate original and creative ideas, contributing to the news agenda of the day, on-screen and online
- To research and develop story ideas thoroughly and creatively for on-air and online output
- To make, maintain and nurture a wide range of relevant contacts
- To be pro-active about diversity, equity & inclusion ensuring the output reflects news stories and issues across the audience spectrum
- To source interesting contributors, from all parts of the community, who will bring the story to life
- To tell the story through engaging and authoritative presentation either through a live broadcast, as part of a news package, or through a range of digital platforms. On screen, to use picture, natural sound and soundbites to give the story maximum impact.
- To self shoot items (where appropriate to the story and the conditions) to a high standard
- To edit packages in a confident, creative and efficient manner, making full use of all production tools to make the most interesting item possible
- To curate ITV’s digital offering on the website or ITVX as required
- To create accurate graphics for bulletins, programmes and packages which clearly illustrate stories and communicate ideas using the template based graphic system
- To write scripts that are accurate, concise and engaging
- To meet all online and on-air deadlines throughout the day, reacting quickly to breaking stories, and regularly liaising with the news desk
- To provide copyright clearance details and basic media management (sourcing, booking and returning tapes to the library)
- To exercise excellent editorial judgement maintaining professional journalistic standards and adhering to ITV’s Legal & Compliance, ITV Trust and OFCOM guidelines
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Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)
Your showreel will be assessed as part of the interview process - it should demonstrate:
- The ability to dress professionally, speak clearly and deliver the script or interview with a style and tone which is both authoritative and relaxed
- Proven technical ability (self shooting, editing, live reporting & digital) to give the story maximum impact as part of a package, live report, online article, and social media post.
- Confident and clear communication skills, with the ability to source contributors and put them at their ease to get the best story possible
In addition we are looking for:
- Fully qualified NCTJ, BJTC or equivalent experience
- A strong knowledge of media law & compliance, the Ofcom Code and the ability to exercise excellent editorial judgement
- The ability to generate, research and develop original, impactful and distinctive ideas, taking a creative approach to story-telling, treatments and production to deliver high quality reports for both on-air and online
- Strong and creative writing skills (accurate spelling and grammar essential)
- A strong knowledge of the patch, its cultural heritage and an awareness of the types of stories that engage our audiences. An understanding of the importance of Diversity and Inclusion in determining outputs
Other things we’re looking for (key criteria)
- The ability to work to deadlines is crucial. On-Screen Journalists will have an organised approach with effective logistical skills. The ability to plan well, work efficiently and keep calm and focussed under pressure is essential.
- Proven ability to build a strong network of contacts with the ability to think laterally about where stories are developing and identifying the contacts to deliver the stories
- The ability to use initiative, be self-motivated and quick-thinking with strong and decisive decision making skills
- Excellent news judgement in line with ITV News aspirations. Comprehensive knowledge of and interest in national and regional news – both newspapers, online and other broadcast media
- The ability/willingness to edit and to use a camera to self shoot items or provide additional material as required. An enthusiasm and willingness to embrace further changes in technology and workflow.
- The ability to bring in stories from underrepresented people from across our region as well as underrepresented parts of the patch
- Knowledge and understanding of digital platforms and how to tap into new audiences online and experience of using social media as a promotional tool
- The ability to remain calm and resilient in what is often a busy work environment
- Experience of working effectively as part of a team, ensuring that the whole team (editorial and production) feel included and valued in newsgathering and the output production process
- Excellent attention to detail
- Clear understanding of and commitment to DE&I and Health & Safety policies
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Additional Information
The rostered hours for this role will include some weekend and Bank Holiday working.
Because of the nature of news production, there will be occasions when you are required to work long and unsociable hours at short notice.
This can be a physically demanding role requiring individuals to transport, carry and operate a camera (and associated equipment) on a regular basis. Lighter kits and Mobile Journalism kits are available on request.
Some members of the Production Team may be required to travel to district offices or to work in other news operations as well as attending relevant forums, development sessions and meetings off site as part of their role.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of what we do at UTV and we want to ensure we reflect our audience both on screen and in our workforce. ITV is for Everyone and we encourage applications from Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent people and People of Colour to apply for this role.
Newsrooms are busy and pressurised environments, involving live news production, which often requires colleagues to make quick decisions under pressure. We also need people who are able to use their initiative and, particularly for editorial roles, know what information might be required and how to research it.
We need to test these abilities at the interview stage to understand how candidates will react when operating in a pressurised environment. This is a fundamental requirement of the role. We will always consider any request for reasonable adjustments as part of the interview process, for example sharing key themes when that is requested in connection with a neurodivergent condition, whilst still ensuring that we are able to test a candidate's ability to operate in the specific environment of a newsroom.
Please note the notice period for this role is 2 months (this will include any new contracts/ secondments)
Please note, this role will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
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