ABOUT THE ROLE

Senator Lidia Thorpe is seeking a passionate and engaged person to join her team in the role of Media and Communications Adviser.

The Media and Communications Adviser is a dynamic and varied role, including (but not limited to) developing and executing the Senator’s media and communications strategy, providing advice on media appearances and messaging to the Senator and undertaking media monitoring. The adviser will respond to media inquiries, write media releases and other content for publication, including digital content, and coordinate the Senator’s social media. This role works very closely with the Senator and involves regular travel to Canberra for sitting weeks as well as occasional travel for other media opportunities.

PAY AND CONDITIONS

The position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, and employment conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023.

The position is full time and offered at an Assistant Adviser level with a salary of $82,319, plus a personal staff allowance of $33,604 in recognition of, and as compensation for, reasonable additional hours of work and travel outside of business hours. The role attracts 15.4% superannuation in addition to salary.

Ad-hoc training and ongoing professional development is available as part of the Enterprise Agreement and is actively encouraged.

This position is a one year, full time contract, with the potential for extension and ongoing.

KEY WORK AREAS

• Provide media and communications advice and support directly to the Senator and work closely with her and her policy team to execute media tactics on a daily basis.
• Coordinate media appearances for the Senator.
• Lead media liaison, including fielding incoming requests, and developing and managing good working relationships with journalists, producers and editors.
• Ensure the Senator is kept up to date with important breaking news, and undertake comprehensive daily media monitoring.
• Write and distribute content for publication, e.g. media releases, briefs, packages, opinion pieces.
• Capture content of the Senator (photos, video) for upload to digital channels and draft and update digital channels with relevant content (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok etc.)
• Undertake oversight of development and implementation of the Senators media and communications strategy.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Flexibility, creativity, empathy and initiative
• Enthusiasm and self-direction
• Ability to work effectively and amicably under pressure
• Ability to capture the Senator’s voice and turn it into effective media and communications content
• A respect for sensitive and confidential information

SELECTION CRITERIA

• A deep understanding of the context of First Nations rights and interests within Australian society and culture.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team and under tight time constraints with competing priorities and other pressures.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing media and communications strategies.
• Highly developed written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience of working with the media within a political, community or lobbying organisation, or as a media professional.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Australian media landscape across all media (radio, television, print and online).
• Digital content posting skills (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and an ability to capture photos and videos while travelling with the Senator.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated capacity to comprehend complex issues, think strategically and adapt to changing circumstances.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, the Senator’s political objectives

First Nations Media and Communications professionals, and those with a thorough understanding of First Nations issues in the current media landscape are urged to apply but The Office of Senator Thorpe encourages applications from any interested and qualified people.

We don’t discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

We welcome people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply for all our roles.

For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Media and Communications Adviser enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.