The Role:

Are you an experienced writer and content creator with a passion for driving social impact for children and young people? 

Working closely with the Head of Communications and Public Affairs, this role is responsible for planning, researching and writing multi-channel content that creates awareness, engagement, advocacy, fundraising and media coverage for Youth Off The Streets (YOTS). 

The Content and Media Specialist’s outstanding skills in storytelling, digital content creation, fundraising communications and media relations are crucial to growing engagement with communities, supporters and partners, helping to attract fundraising income and advocating for positive social change. You will deliver content – from web articles to social posts, government submissions, reports and donor communications – that is well-researched, creative, compelling, advances our strategic priorities and generates impact.  

This is a critical and diverse role that requires successful cross-department collaboration, creativity and flexibility, keen attention to detail, the ability to grasp complex issues and communicate them in clear and powerful ways to diverse audiences, and a highly sensitive approach to interviewing children and young people.  

About Our Organisation:

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

Key responsibilities

Storytelling and content:

• Developing and managing a content calendar in line with the annual communications plan, ensuring all content aligns with YOTS's strategic objectives, advocacy pillars and brand positioning.
• Collecting impact stories about young people, staff, our services and programs and developing these into web articles, social media posts, media pitches, fundraising case studies and other marketing collateral as needed.
• Providing copywriting and copyediting support for other areas of the business as needed.

Social media:

• Developing and delivering our social media strategy to maximise social community growth and engagement.
• Managing YOTS social media channels, creating engaging posts and tracking results with the support of the Marketing and Communications Officer.
• Developing and launching paid social media campaigns to advance YOTS’s strategic objectives, and monitoring and reporting on campaign success.

Supporter communications:

• Content development and editing of supporter e-newsletters, in collaboration with the Fundraising team.
• Content development and editing of the twice-yearly printed donor newsletter, Streets Ahead, in collaboration with the Fundraising team.
• Contributing to the discussion and development of fundraising appeal concepts.
• Supporting other fundraising communications, including quarterly appeals, through researching facts, developing case studies and providing copyediting support on appeal letters and other collateral. 
• Researching and writing content for annual reports and other publications, as needed.

Media relations:

• Proactive media: developing media releases and pitches for local and mainstream media to raise awareness of YOTS’ work, our impact and the issues that affect young people, as well as being the day-to-day contact point for media enquiries.
• Reactive media: monitoring and tracking media coverage on issues effecting disadvantaged young people and coordinating responses and talking points for YOTS spokespeople.

Advocacy:

• Supporting the Head of Communications and Public Affairs in researching and writing government submissions.
• Contributing to other advocacy initiatives as required.

Internal communications support: 

• Copyediting and proofreading content produced by other business areas in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Lead, as needed.

Selection Criteria, includes but is not limited to:

• Tertiary qualification in communications, journalism, marketing or a related discipline.
• Minimum five years’ experience in creating multi-channel content to achieve engagement, fundraising and advocacy objectives, preferably in the not-for-profit sector.
• Exceptional writing skills and the ability to identify, research and craft memorable impact stories.
• Exceptional attention to detail and highly developed copyediting and proofreading skills. 
• Strong initiative and ability to work to deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work within a small team with shifting and unexpected priorities.
• A strong commitment to social justice and the rights of children and young people. 

What we can offer you:

• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

Next steps

Click Apply Now to submit your application. 

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation. YOTS is committed to providing a safe environment where all children and young people are treated with respect and are protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.