This job is with BBC, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly. ABOUT BBC STUDIOS BBC Studios is a world-renowned content studio and channels & streaming business, powered by British creativity, with a reach that touches audiences in every corner of the globe. We work with outstanding creative talent who are responsible for platform-defining shows from Strictly Come Dancing to Eastenders, Prehistoric Planet to Planet Earth III. The range and quality of our content is unsurpassed, creating critical and commercial successes and global phenomena. From BAFTAs to RTS Awards, BBC Studios is Britain's most awarded production company and the only producer with three of the top ten shows on IMDB; we're the home of bbc.com, the widest-read English language news website in the world; and the UK's largest distributor of British content. ABOUT BBC STUDIOS DRAMA PRODUCTIONS BBC Studios Drama Productions is renowned for bringing audiences together week after week. We are the creative powerhouse behind award-winning Drama such as EastEnders, Silent Witness, Father Brown and Sister Boniface Mysteries to Casualty, River City, Pobol y Cwm and Anfamol. In addition to our iconic brands, we have an ambitious growth strategy with a slate of fresh and exciting new shows in development. Do you love investigating topics and digging into detail? Are you a fan of EastEnders and recognise the importance of ensuring accuracy and authentic representation on one of the UK's most watched soaps? EastEnders is a multi-award winning soap broadcast four times a week. It currently ranks as one of the most watched TV dramas in the UK tackling many controversial and taboo issues previously unseen on television in the UK. The Researcher works to the Senior Researcher to provide support to the script and story teams. As someone who watches EastEnders, you'll know our storylines can be dramatic and hard-hitting. For the Researcher this means exploring a broad range of social issues including police procedures, medical processes, relationship breakdowns, and various other complex, often sensitive and potentially traumatic storylines, which may be impacting the characters of Albert Square. You will scrutinise stories to ensure every element has been researched. You will check facts and processes are accurate by liaising with experts and agencies, and disseminate your findings to the story and script teams. You will be concise with meticulous attention to detail, and keep detailed logs and audit trails. You will advise teams about how topics can be applied authentically, whilst supporting them to carefully balance drama with real life issues. We're looking for someone who is passionate about social issues and committed to ensuring they are authentically portrayed in the show. An ability to work across multiple storylines, simultaneously, and engage with agencies and experts across various forms of communication is essential. Whilst this job will be supported by a hybrid set-up, you will be expected to fit your working pattern around the schedules of stakeholders and mandatory conference and writers' meetings. THE ROLE The Researcher will report to the Senior Researcher and Editorial Producer. The postholder will be solely responsible for the following duties: • To assist the Senior Researcher, Script Producer, Story Producer, Editorial Producer and Writers to test potential story lines and character developments for consistency and credibility. • To assess all scripts to ensure the continuity of research in story lines and the accuracy of any factually based dialogue. • To alert Script Editors and Writers to any difficulties or inconsistencies which may arise from such research and to suggest ideas for possible alternatives where research suggests that the original idea is no longer viable • To have an awareness of wider issues on certain subject matters and understanding of how certain social topics can overlap in more ways than first perceived. • To identify, and where necessary, establish and maintain relationships with experts in specific field, including the initial negotiation of fees or payments where appropriate • To ensure close co-operation and communication with all departments at EastEnders • To attend as necessary all Planning and Commissioning meetings. • To be aware of the full extent of the financial and purchasing authority of the post, and to ensure that this authority is exercised in accordance with Network Television and BBC financial arrangements • Where appropriate, to refer to the Editorial Producer to resolve doubts or competing views that may arise in relation to the script at any time • To work closely with writers, developing and writing stories in a variety of formats. • In conjunction with the writers, story team and Executive and Series Producers, produce clear and concise monthly story documents with sufficient detail to ensure clarity for commissioned writers and all departments within production • Attend story meetings to give research notes and ideas to support stories • Research alternative approaches to stories providing accurate and detailed supporting material • Research issues arising from story and present comprehensive reports on every side of the argument • Read storyline material and to identify and report on possible areas of research • To stay up to date with current affairs and social and cultural movements particularly as they pertain to London and look for opportunities to feed this information into story • Undertake all necessary administrative tasks required for the department and team WHAT WILL IT TAKE? People working on EastEnders are a talented, experienced, and creative bunch. To join them and make this programme the most talked about on the channel, it's important you have the necessary skills we're looking for. You should have: • Experience as a Researcher for TV/Radio Drama and/or in other specialised fields, e.g. journalism • Demonstrable experience of thorough cases studies undertaken reflecting your broadly based knowledge and a familiarity with conventional and specialised sources of information and research techniques • Awareness of television production processes and the type of support required to tell complex stories • Demonstrable experience of prioritising simultaneous workload deadlines in a fast paced and volatile environment • Ability to horizon scan potential problems and give examples of when this practice has resulted in a more efficient and smoother process • Demonstrable understanding of and the ability to interpret Editorial intentions, and to contribute to the generation of ideas and the resolution of script problems • Experience of establishing and maintaining office and administration systems • The ability to handle confidential information with tact and sensitivity • Excellent communication skills and examples of your negotiating abilities with a plethora of varied stakeholders or contacts • A pro-active out-look and can-do attitude, and examples of when you have taken on additional duties to aid your team's overall aims and goals • An informed interest in television drama production and especially EastEnders LIFE AT BBC STUDIOS BBC Studios Drama Productions is renowned for bringing audiences together week after week. We are the creative powerhouse behind award-winning Drama such as EastEnders, Silent Witness, Father Brown and Sister Boniface Mysteries to Casualty, River City, Pobol y Cwm and Anfamol. In addition to our iconic brands, we have an ambitious growth strategy with a slate of fresh and exciting new shows in development. Here, we champion an inclusive culture aligned with our Pledge, fostering an environment where you can freely unleash your creativity, in the pursuit of bold content. Collaborating with some of the industry's brightest talents, you'll have the chance to leave your imprint on millions of viewers worldwide. What's more? There's plenty of opportunities for growing your career with us too, nurturing and developing talent is ingrained in our DNA - we'd love for you to be part of it. We don't focus simply on what we do - we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you've read about our values and behaviours here. The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background. More information on our D&I plan can be found here. BBC Studios puts sustainability at the heart of everything we do both onscreen and offscreen, including delivering against the BBC Group's science-based Net Zero targets. More information on sustainability at BBC Studios can be found here. We are proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and we strongly encourage applications from disabled people. If you meet the minimum criteria for this role and declare that you are disabled, we will ensure to advance you to the next stage (minimum criteria above). If you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please contact us on joe.gibbonsbbc.com. WHAT WILL YOU GAIN FROM WORKING AT BBC STUDIOS · We offer a competitive salary package · Flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance · 26 days holiday (plus an additional day which is a Corporation Day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days · Parental leave for new parents, regardless of gender, of up to a year with 18 weeks fully paid · A defined contribution pension scheme with employer contributions up to 10%; and life assurance (at 4 times annual salary), eligibility for discounted dental, health care, gym and much more through salary sacrifice · Excellent career progression - access to courses, webinars, workshops and the opportunity to work in different areas of the organisation Package Description Contract: 12 Month FTC / Attachment Band: B Salary: £25,000 - £26681 London Weighting (£5319) Location: BBC Elstree, Borehamwood NEXT STEPS We appreciate your interest in this position and understand how important this opportunity is to you. Due to the high volume of interest we may need to close the application period earlier than anticipated. This step is necessary to ensure we can provide a high level of attention and service to all applicants. Thank you for your understanding. Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory. LI-DNI