HR/IR jobs

Media and Communications Officer

About the Role

The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) is seeking applications for a Media and Communications Officer.
• Put your creative and campaigning skills to work and be part of a passionate team of change-makers
• Contribute to improving the working lives of thousands HACSU members
• Generous annual salary and conditions (5 weeks annual leave, 13 RDOs per year)
• Carlton South location

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the work and voice of HACSU, representing workers in the mental health, disability and alcohol and other drug sectors.
Working closely with HACSU leadership, the Political and Campaign Advisor and the organising team, the position has a primary focus on ensuring HACSU produces high quality communications, campaign and organising materials (both print and digital) and building media exposure.

What we are looking for
• Excellent communication skills and passion for developing and delivering creative content and materials with an impact.
• Experience in communication and campaigning strategy, planning and development.
• Excellent collaborative and teamwork skills.
• Initiative and professional determination.
• Experience with developing and executing content for social media, CMS and other online platforms.
• Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite (inDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator in particular).
• Experience writing and designing for different audiences and adhering to accessibility, style and best-practice guidelines.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills (including copy writing and editing).
• Experience in managing multiple projects and delivering communication materials and plans on time.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values and underlying principles of the union movement, social justice, community development and equity

Hours of work
This position is 5 days a week (40 hours) with a rostered day off accrued every 4 weeks.

How to apply:
Your application should contain your professional résumé with a cover letter addressing the selection criteria as shown in the Position Description.

Please email your application, along with any portfolio work to
Kate Marshall - Assistant Branch Secretary - katem@hacsu.asn.au, using the subject line: Media and Communications Officer application

Closing date: COB 7 August 2020

-------------------------------------------


Position Description

Position Title: Media and Communication Officer
Position Objective: The position is responsible for developing and executing the internal communication strategies that align with and enhance the Union’s growth/development, organising, and campaigning strategies.

Reports to: Campaigns and Strategy lead

ABOUT HACSU
HACSU is an industry-based Union representing the specialist mental health, disability, and alcohol and other drug sectors in Victoria.
HACSU believes that in order to deliver the best mental health and disability services, workers must be well paid, with good working conditions that facilitates skills development and leads to long-term careers. HACSU members campaign in their pursuit of these goals and are not afraid to stand up for the consumers and clients of Victoria’s mental health, disability and alcohol and other drug services.

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

The Media and Communication Officer is integrated within the campaigns, development and membership teams of the union. They will work closely with the leadership to build union strength and power, communicate campaign messages and other key information to a large and growing membership base, and advertise and market union membership to prospective new members through innovative and leading-edge online campaigns. They will work as part of a team to win outcomes through membership growth, direct involvement in workplace organising, campaign activity, building positive relations with external stakeholders and generating support in the broader community.

The position produces high quality digital communications, campaign and organising materials (both print and digital) in real time as campaigns progress and issues arise. This involves researching issues, developing relationships with the media and securing members’ stories to develop hard-hitting and effective communications.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL HAVE:
• Excellent communication skills and passion for developing and delivering creative content and materials with an impact for a value driven organisation.
• Experience in communication and campaigning strategy, planning and development.
• Excellent collaborative and teamwork skills.
• Initiative and professional determination.

. Experience with developing and executing content for social media, CMS and other online platforms.
. Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite (inDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator in particular).
. Experience writing and designing for different audiences and adhering to accessibility, style and best-practice guidelines.
. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills (including copy writing and editing).
. Experience in managing multiple projects and delivering communication materials and
plans on time.
. Demonstrated commitment to the values and underlying principles of the union movement, social justice, community development and equity.

TYPICAL DUTIES:
Assisting in planning, writing and coordinating the layout and design of union publications,
bulletins and campaign materials (printed and online) in collaboration with union
leadership.
• Maximize effective member engagement in Union activities by working in collaboration with relevant staff to create and implement strategies to generate participation and
engagement.
• Promote union awareness, union activity and campaigns to both members and the
community through designing and delivering strategic social media campaigns.
• Assist with the lobbying process and highlight relevant issues in the media.
• As part of the team, develop innovative digital organising, recruitment and marketing
strategies to attract and retain new members into the union.
• Develop, plan and implement recruitment, industrial, and political campaigns utilising a
range of techniques including online campaigning tools, printed materials, and face to face
activities.
• Manage and maintain the Union's website and social media accounts, including developing and posting relevant and timely content and moderating discussion as required.
• Prepare high quality media releases and liaise with media outlets to obtain favorable
exposure of union issues.
• Develop and maintain member and non-member databases for recruitment, publication
distribution and campaign purposes.
• Liaise with other relevant groups and unions on campaigns in areas of mutual interest.
• Work cooperatively with other unions, politicians, NGOs and community groups on a range of social justice issues.
• Other duties as directed.

Key Selection Criteria
Demonstrated knowledge and skills in digital media, communication, marketing and/or
campaign roles.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles and methods of organising and
campaigning.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in project management.
• Experience in media liaison and management (e.g. preparing a media release and
engaging with journalists).
• Capacity to develop creative and engaging communications materials with strong attention to details
• Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite (inDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator in particular).
• Highly developed digital literacy skills and experience with online CMS and social media
platforms.
• Demonstrated experience in digital campaigning.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values and underlying principles of the union movement, social justice, community development and equity.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and workload.
• Holds a current driver’s license.

Why work for HACSU?
This role offers a creative and passionate individual the opportunity to make a difference to the working lives of thousands of Victorian mental health, disability and alcohol and other drug professionals. Although a challenging role, you will have the opportunity to further develop important skills in your career.
HACSU is a close team environment, where employees are afforded 5 weeks annual leave, 13 rostered days off per year, 14 weeks paid parental leave and flexible working conditions and learning and development opportunities.

Performance appraisal
The successful applicant will be appointed for a six-month probationary period. Ongoing employment is subject to satisfactory performance in the position.

The successful applicant shall participate in a performance reviews based on the position duties and criteria after six months service and regularly thereafter.

Note: Statements in this position description are intended to reflect, in general, the duties and responsibilities of the position and are not to be interpreted as being all inclusive.
HACSU is an equal opportunity employer and provides a smoke free workplace.