• Permanent: 0.6 FTE ongoing
• Classification: SCHADS Level 5
• Location: Currently located in Prahran area

Position Overview

VMIAC’s Communications Team is staffed by people with lived experience.

This position will help VMIAC’s Communications Lead to develop, implement, and evaluate a new communication strategy, and related programmatic communications plans, with a particular focus on content creation and delivery for digital communications, to support VMIAC’s systemic advocacy work to influence mental health public policy and to enable the expansion and empowerment of VMIAC’s diverse membership base.

THIS IS A LIVED EXPERIENCE, CONSUMER POSITION

Applicants must be people with lived experience of mental health challenges, trauma, or emotional distress and/or who have accessed mental health or other related services specifically to support their mental well-being.

Applicants must consider themselves work ready; be capable of reflecting on how their own lived experience interacts with that of others; and be able to contribute to the development and implementation of collaborative ways of working.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic and digital communications

Under the direction of the Communications Lead you will:

• Develop and maintain relationships across multiple VMIAC teams. You will identify their communication and promotion needs and then plan, craft and deliver collateral to meet those needs as well as evaluate their effectiveness.
• With a strong understanding of the happenings of the organisation and sector, you will produce a monthly newsletter that engages our membership and creates a sense of community.
• Work with the Communications Lead to understand the strategic communications plan and generate multi-platform content ideas that drive VMIAC’s missions, goals and values.
• Have strong organisational skills and manage VMIAC’s content calendar.
• Manage the communication inbox, knowing when and where to escalate incoming communications and triage internal work requests.
• Manage VMIAC’s social media presence across different platforms, including audience engagement.
• Support the delivery of VMIAC events, communication projects and campaigns, as required.
• Develop organisational brochures, website content, newsletters, and other branded literature and materials.
• Manage VMIAC’s website, making sure information stays accurate and up to date.
• Be creative and think outside of the box while contributing ideas to VMIAC’s advocacy efforts.

Other communication duties as directed by the Communications Lead or the CEO.

Communications support and advice

As directed or required by the Communications Lead or the CEO:

• Advise and support the team around the management of VMIAC’s visual identity across all mediums.
• Develop and maintain relationships with communicators across partner organisations and stakeholders.

Teamwork

Working as part of a small team responsible for the communications functions for VMIAC:

• Support the team to boost performance and deliver results, meeting quality and good-practice standards.
• Learn about individual progress, areas of good performance, and any areas that can be improved.
• Attend regular Communications Team meetings, contribute to the growth and development of the team.
• Attend monthly VMIAC All-staff meetings.
• Undertake self-evaluation in conjunction with supervisors and/or peers.

Key Selection Criteria (to be addressed in application):

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in communications, public relations, marketing, or journalism, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
• Excellent copy writing skills, with a flair for marketing and storytelling.
• Proven experience generating story ideas and creating meaningful content in line with a strategic communication plan and organisational values, mission and goals.
• Proven experience in developing and publishing approved content for social media using scheduling tools (Buffer), with an interest in and knowledge of current trends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
• Proven experience in drafting, designing, curating, and publishing e-Newsletters using Mail Chimp to optimise delivery, and managing audience lists, segments, and databases.
• Proven experience in designing branded products on Canva (e.g., tiles, banners, flyers, brochures, etc.).
• Proven experience in using CMS platforms to update and maintain SEO-friendly and accessible website content (WordPress).
• Experience in creating quality rich media products (i.e., audio and video) from scripting, recording, editing, publishing, and promoting.
• Experience using communications plans.
• Have a solid understanding of the mental health system, consumer movement and the role VMIAC plays (or be willing to learn)

Desirable

• Skills and/or experience in website design and development.
• Graphic design experience is preferred but not required

Remuneration and benefits

In return for your passion for mental health reform, lived experience expertise, and significant contribution you will have access to unique professional development opportunities and receive an attractive salary package which includes:

• SCHADS Base Salary Level 5 banding ($49.28/hour - $51.51/hour) + Super (11.5%)
• Four weeks annual leave + Gifted leave between Christmas and New Year
• 90mins per month of wellbeing leave
• Generous Annual Professional Development Allowance
• Salary packaging an additional $15,900 per annum + $2,500 Meals and Entertainment per annum
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• From Jan 2025: Newly fitted out office space with access to onsite gym facilities and green space (close to South Melbourne market and public transport)

References and checks, probationary period

• Preferred candidates are required to complete and/or provide Police and Working with Children checks prior to final confirmation and commencement of employment.
• Referees are required and will be contacted for short listed applicants
• This role is subject to a probationary period of six months.

Support and development

VMIAC will provide regular supervision and mentoring to the person in this role. All VMIAC roles include training and development opportunities, which can include the development of leadership and other required skills and attendance at conferences.

For enquiries relating to this position, please contact Communications Lead, Cass Power at [email protected], using the subject line: Digital Communications Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.