The Opportunity

Do you have a proven track record in journalism, multimedia, and social media content creation? Would you like to deliver compelling story telling about impactful health research programs in Australia and overseas? Then this could be the role for you!

An exciting opportunity now exists for a Journalist to join our Marketing & Communications team at Burnet! You will play a key role in developing the organisation’s narrative and supporting its image in the community.

You will advance Burnet’s 2030 strategy for greater impact in a changing world through accurate, engaging, and compelling storytelling drawing on Burnet Institute’s research, advocacy, and media communication activities. In doing so, you will amplify Burnet’s vision, purpose and work through creation, production and publishing of long-form, short-form, and multimedia content for various platforms.

In this role, you will:

• Generate accurate, informative, and engaging content from the full range of Burnet’s research programs, advocacy and media activities for Burnet’s publications, website, and Intranet.
• Carry out timely sourcing and writing of news stories, features, editorial content, and media releases; conducting and editing interviews; and promoting Burnet’s work.
• Create and publish multimedia content across our social media platforms.
• Identify and develop new opportunities for audience reach and development of social media strategies.
• Support the Manager, Media & Multimedia with in-house stills photography, and the development and creation of multimedia packages.
• Support communication activities including media liaison, media relations and events, the development of media strategies and policies, and media training and guidance for Burnet staff and students.

Refer to the attached position description for full details.

This is a full-time permanent position. A hybrid working option of 3 days in office and two from home (negotiable) is available. Flexible working hours and the ability to manage your own start/finish times will also be provided.

We care about your career, and you will be encouraged to participate in individual and team-based professional development opportunities including training in strategic communication management.

This is a truly exciting chance to contribute to a meaningful mission, make an impact, and put your name on it. Don't miss out!

Let’s talk about you

The following criteria are essential requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications in journalism, media, communication, or related field
• Proven track record in journalism, multimedia, and social media content creation
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a professional communication team
• Professionalism in writing, editing, storytelling and visual communication including a strong news sense
• Proven track record of delivering effective professional communications across multiple platforms to deadline
• Proficiency in social media content curation and photography, and competencies with MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Premiere Rush
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with team members
• Ability to liaise broadly across all levels of the organisation and communicate with key stakeholders
• Availability to work five days a week, from home if necessary due to COVID-19 health directions, including occasional out-of-hours on-call work
• Ability to multitask and perform under tight deadlines, to work independently when needed, and a ‘can do’ attitude

The following is preferable but not essential:

• Experience working in a newsroom or similar journalistic environment, with an ability to respond effectively to changing tasks and deadlines subject to editorial direction

The Burnet experience

We want you to have a successful and meaningful career at Burnet and are committed to providing a supportive workplace environment for all our people. You will be part of a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect, and excellence are valued. Join a team of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do – achieving a more equitable world through better health.

We offer:

• A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff
• 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Generous salary packaging
• Opportunities for career and professional development

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation passionate about social justice, equality and evidence-based research.

Burnet Institute brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 400 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues. Institute-wide interdisciplinary health programs Disease Elimination, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, and Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health are at the heart of our daily decision making. Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues and achieves a greater impact as a result.

Whilst our headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, we also have offices in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, and are actively involved in research and public health programs throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Burnet is the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Bring your whole self to work

At Burnet, we foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We want our people to feel like they belong and are free to be themselves at work. We have an active Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Council that works to promote and improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Institute, by developing and implementing strategies informed by both national and international best practice and staff input. Burnet holds an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award from Science in Gender Equity (SAGE).

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Apply below and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

As part of our commitment to gender equity, we have included a question in the application process on gender. This will allow us to monitor and report on gender in relation to our recruitment process.

Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a Working with Children check and/or National Police Check. Australian working rights and evidence of full vaccination against Covid-19 will also be required.