On-Screen Journalist

Workplace: Cardiff (This is an office-based role but some work can be done from home). 

On-Screen Journalist (Digital Expertise)

ITV Cymru Wales

We have a fantastic opportunity for an On-Screen Journalist with strong digital skills to join our Wales news team based at our newsroom and studio in Cardiff.  This is a high-profile, innovative role for someone with a proven track record of delivering striking, high-quality, distinctive journalism for online and linear channels.

We are a multi-platform operation and this role will be at the forefront of using digital media to drive and extend the reach of our journalism. Ideally you’ll have proven experience of delivering a range of content for online platforms and have innovative ideas about how to develop our reach further. This role requires innovative ideas, a strong breaking news mindset and a commitment to reach younger audiences with on day Welsh content. We are looking for someone who embraces the use of mobile journalism and thrives in using such technologies in their storytelling. 

Wales is a richly diverse nation and we're looking for a person who will help ensure our coverage is as representative of the people and backgrounds of all those who live here as possible.

The successful candidate will have a strong track record in journalism, with  great story-telling ability in video formats and a sound knowledge of media regulation and the law. You will use your journalistic skills to ensure your reports are informative, factually accurate, fair and balanced.  

As an established self-starter, you will immerse yourself in the community, ensure our newsgathering reflects the different communities that make up our audience and develop great contacts to deliver agenda-setting coverage across the nation.

This is a busy news patch and you will need self-discipline and an excellent work ethic to successfully work remotely. You will regularly contribute original ideas and set the editorial agenda within the newsroom. Alongside your first-class communication and team-working 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 story-telling.

Please note - On-Screen Journalists are required to provide their own means of transport to and from location. The vehicle must be appropriately insured, taxed and maintained. You may claim associated mileage expenses in line with HMRC regulations.

So, if you’re passionate about telling strong people-led stories and have the skills and experience to ensure our digital platforms continue to offer a distinctive news service alongside our TV broadcasts then we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• To consistently generate original and creative ideas, contributing to the news agenda of the day mainly for online initially but able to turn their hand to the TV broadcasts too. 
• To research and develop story ideas thoroughly, creatively and accurately for online and TV 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 through vertical video, live broadcasts or as part of a news video package using picture, natural sound and soundbites to give the story maximum impact.
• To self-shoot items and lives to a high standard or be willing to learn
• To edit content in a confident, creative and efficient manner, making full use of all production tools to make the most interesting work possible
• To curate ITV’s digital offering on the website or ITVX as required
• To create accurate graphics for digital channels and TV output 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

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)

Your showreel will be assessed as part of the interview process - it should demonstrate:

• Evidence of breaking news digital-first content on a variety of linear and digital platforms
• Engaging style that appeals particularly to younger audiences
• 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 and editing) to give the story maximum impact 
• 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 online and on-air
• 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 output.

Other things we’re looking for (key criteria)

• Knowledge and understanding of digital platforms and how to tap into new audiences online. 
•  Experience of being creative and experimental in the use of social media and other digital products to reach new audiences.  
• A self-starter with an ability to be versatile and tell a variety of stories in a planned and on day setting e.g. breaking news, court reporting or explainers.
• 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 agenda. 
• The ability/willingness to edit and to use a camera or mobile phone to self-shoot items and self-shoot live 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.
• 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.
• An understanding of Wales and its distinct features. 

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 is at the heart of what we do at ITV Cymru Wales 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. 

ITV strongly encourages applications for this role from disabled people. As a Disability Confident Leader, if you meet the minimum criteria for a role and you have declared that you are disabled, we’ll guarantee to take you to the next stage* (minimum criteria above).

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.

Closing date: Monday 26th of October 

Interview date:  Monday 2nd of November

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)