Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and people with lived-experience of the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply for this role.

Additional Benefits:

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
• Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging is available via Maxxia

Office Locations: 273 High Street, Preston, VIC, 3072.

This role is full-time fixed term 12 - months.

Role Overview

The Communications Team Leader is responsible for leading, coordinating and delivering VALS communications activities, including; VALS’ digital platforms, media engagement including media releases, coordinating communications and fundraising-related projects such as webinars and content creation for newsletters, and media engagement with the Aboriginal communities in Victoria, that supports and leverages VALS policy and advocacy work.

The Team Leader is also responsible for supervising the Media Officer and other staff, volunteers or contract workers in the Communications Team.

Our communications and advocacy is led by community to promote self-determined advocacy and outcomes. The Communications Team Leader will support VALS’ community engagement work, and work closely with colleagues in the broader Policy, Communications and Strategy team and across all of VALS to develop advocacy that supports Aboriginal communities’ priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and monitoring of VALS’ Communication Plan, and associated campaign plans.
• Lead the writing, reviewing and pitching of compelling content for a range of digital and print communications platforms, to promote VALS’ policy priorities and positions, VALS’ activities and stories that positively represent Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Monitor, evaluate and strengthen the effectiveness of digital communications activities, providing regular reports and analytical commentary on the website, social media and digital marketing campaigns
• Lead and deliver VALS’s communication and public engagement activities to deadline and within set budget, including:
  • Website development, content creation and traffic maximisation
  • Social media strategy
  • Digital marketing campaigns
  • Media engagement
  • Design of VALS publications
  • Brand management
  • Photography and videography
  • Specific communications projects

• Lead, deliver and monitor VALS’ fundraising initiatives and campaigns, particularly around Invasion Day and EOFY.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, particularly in the legal and Aboriginal Community Controlled sectors, and identify opportunities to work collaboratively
• Work in collaboration with all sections of VALS’ in identifying key priority areas and formulating key messages
• Monitor the latest news on traditional and social media channels and recommend appropriate courses of action
• Support VALS’ media activities by helping with the preparation of VALS spokespeople, including speaking notes and drafting of media releases
• Provide supervision and guidance to other communications staff and contractors, including volunteers that is culturally safe and supportive. This includes developing workplans and supporting the team to achieve deliverables.
• As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

Internal Obligations

• Commitment to VALS’s strategic plan
• Attend and actively contribute at team and working group meetings
• Provide mentoring and support to other members of the Policy, Communications and Strategy team as needed
• Undertake other duties & responsibilities within the scope of the role as directed

Personal accountability

• Compliance with all VALS Values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion
• Ensure appropriate use of resources
• Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace.
• Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required)
• Promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management.
• Attend mandatory training sessions (ie. equal employment opportunity, health and safety, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

Key Selection Criteria

Mandatory

• Excellent writing skills, with a strong attention to detail and demonstrated expertise in writing content for a range of audiences and across different platforms
• At least 5 years’ experience in producing and managing a range of communication tools, including publications, websites, e-newsletters, social media strategies and other digital technologies
• Demonstrated strong experience in proactive engagement collaborating with key stakeholders and targeting stories to appropriate audiences
• Extensive communications experience, particularly in digital content creation
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and lead team members.
• Strong organisational, time management and planning skills; with an ability to work autonomously and within a team
• Demonstrated High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Design suite
• Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, media relations or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience.

Desirable

• Understanding of the role of Aboriginal legal services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
• Experience working in the non-profit sector

Mandatory Requirements

• On offer of this position, you must provide:
• A copy of your current Employee Working with Children Check card
• A copy of your current Victorian Driver’s License
• You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check
• Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e. a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate or Immigration VISA documentation
• Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role

A position description is attached.