Local Democracy Reporter

From the state of roads to local schools to new recycling services every one of us is affected by the decisions that councils make. 

You will be part of a team of 165 reporters working throughout the UK to hold local authorities and public bodies to account through a BBC-supported service.

Your work will mean that everyone in Birmingham and the West Midlands will get to hear about what the council are doing in their name

If youre a politically-minded reporter ready to stalk the corridors of power in Birmingham and the West Midlands searching for brilliant and engaging stories for our audience then this is the position for you! 

Were looking for fresh ideas and new perspectives from people from a wide range of backgrounds and we want you to tell us the stories you believe are important from our many communities so we can continue to diversify our content.

This role is home and hub based and linked to our Birmingham Hub. We are therefore open to candidates based in and around Walsall or with the ability to travel into the office.  

You will be expected to occasionally attend in person meetings outside of normal hours so will need the ability to be flexible around this.  
 

What will the role involve

• A day in the life of a Local Democracy Reporter looks like this
• Youll be covering the work of the Walsall Council as well as the political and social issues affecting the community
• Making sure you cover the council meetings and key decisions in a timely manner
• You will build contacts understand and explore the key issues write features and break exclusives with your work having the potential to also be shown on the BBC Homepage

Qualifications :

Who are we looking for

• You are an NCTJ qualified journalist with an understanding and interest in the issues of your local community
• Previous experience reporting on local government/councils
• You have the ability to pull the stories out of the local council meetings that our readers want to know about
• A good knowledge of social media and how you can use it to drive audience and engagement from the people in your area is an advantage
• Youre interested by the local council and government want to hold politicians to account and ensure the local community are heard

Additional Information :

How well look after you

We take good care of our people - and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role youll get a range of benefits including:

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) as well as an extra day after youve been with us for three five and 10 years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.
• An extra days paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart.
• Big moment day - an extra days paid leave for a moment that matters to you - like getting married moving house or welcoming a new addition to the family (human or furry!)
• Help saving for your retirement - well match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.
• Supportive and progressive people policies - were proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility inclusion and progression. We believe you shouldnt have to wait to join us to know what to expect from us which is why we share this overview of the policies we have in place to support families and carers. If theres something you want to understand more about just ask - it wont make a difference to your application.
• A healthcare cash plan - giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctors appointments.
• Car lease scheme - you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner and pay for it through salary sacrifice.
• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.
• Access to lots of discounts - including 15% off with Reachs very own online marketplace Yimbly where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.
• Interest-free loans - including for season tickets and technology.

If youre excited about this role but dont tick every single box please dont let that stop you from applying.

We know that everyone has their own story to tell and we value potential passion and the perspectives that different backgrounds bring to our work.

Diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and help us better serve our audiences which is why were dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and supported. As an equal opportunities employer we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

We are committed to a recruitment process that is fair and welcoming to all without discrimination on the basis of age disability gender identity ethnicity religion or belief sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.  

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time