• Employment Type: Full-time (35 hour week)
• Duration: Fixed term contract until 30 Jun 2025 (parental leave cover)
• Remuneration: $96,960 - $103,434 + 17% Super and leave loading
• Location: Kensington, NSW (Hybrid working, work from home and from UNSW Sydney campus)

About The Kirby Institute:

The Kirby Institute is a world-leading health research institute at UNSW Sydney. We work to eliminate infectious diseases, globally. Our specialisation is in developing health solutions for the most at-risk communities. Putting communities at the heart of our research, we develop tests, treatments, cures and prevention strategies that have the greatest chance of success.

Why Your Role Matters:

As a Communications Officer, you will be primarily responsible for communicating the research of the Kirby Institute to its stakeholders and the public, through media releases, website stories and content, social media, e-newsletters, and event coordination. In addition, you will provide some written communications support for the Director of the Kirby Institute including correspondence, speeches, reports, and other forms of written communication.

The communications team within the operations unit is primarily responsible for ensuring that the Kirby Institute has a visible, engaging, and agenda-defining presence in the media and among key stakeholders (e.g. community groups, policy makers and funding bodies), that the results and implications of the Kirby Institute research is communicated to relevant audiences, and that the Institute’s brand is leveraged to garner support. This is achieved through the development and execution of strategies that will deliver the objectives of the KI communications plan.

The role of Communications Officer reports to the Communications & Engagement Manager and has no direct reports.

Who You Are:

• A degree in media, communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of relevant training and experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with a proven capacity to research and effectively promote complex scientific content.
• Experience writing media release and pitching stories to media outlets.
• Demonstrated experience developing content for different target audiences, and the ability to write, edit and proof materials with strong attention to detail.
• High level interpersonal skills, including experience working with high level internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in hosting and coordinating events in both online (Microsoft Teams and Zoom) and face to face formats.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team with the ability to prioritise own workload.
• Knowledge or experience in the key issues and stakeholders in health research, health policy, public health, medical research, or international development.
• Demonstrated experience in speech writing and developing creative narrative from key concepts and ideas an advantage.

Benefits and Culture:

UNSW offer a competitive salary and access to a plethora of UNSW-perks including:​

• 17% Superannuation and leave loading​
• Flexible working ​
• Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas Period​
• Access to lifelong learning and career development ​
• Progressive HR practices​

More information on the great staff benefits and culture can be found here.

How to Apply:

Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. 

To be considered for this role, your application should include a document addressing the Selection Criteria (skills and experience on the position description).

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW, via the Apply Now link.

Get in Touch (for job related queries only – applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed):

Jamie Cutler: Talent Acquisition Consultant

E: [email protected], using the subject line: Communications Officer - The Kirby Institute enquiry via EthicalJobs.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.