Defence Speechwriter

Speechwriters are responsible for crafting compelling narratives that effectively communicate Defence's portfolio, corporate and public interest issues to various stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop informed, engaging and persuasive speeches and other leadership communication products (e.g. op-eds, scripts and statements) for Defence's portfolio Ministers, the Secretary of the Department and the Chief of the Defence Force.
• Conduct primary and secondary source research, drafting, editing, fact-checking and clearing to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
• Work closely with Ministerial Advisers, Departmental Liaison Officers, the Offices of the Secretary and Chief of the Defence Force, and Senior Executive and Star Rank Officers across the Defence organisation on speech objectives, content coverage and message development.
• Collaborate with the Media and Information Disclosure Branch to develop and implement effective media and public affairs strategies.
• Contribute to shaping messages and developing Defence's public narrative in accordance with ministerial and executive communication priorities and objectives.

About Our Team:

The Media and Information Disclosure Branch is responsible for day-to-day media operations across Defence; engagement with the media; providing media and public affairs support to ministers, senior Defence leaders and Defence Services and Groups; social media management; media monitoring; content development; speechwriting; newspaper publication; and imagery and videography production.

The team affords employees opportunities to gain a wide-ranging understanding of the Department and ADF's work, to build networks across the Defence enterprise, to develop an awareness of ministerial and executive priorities, and to increase knowledge of defence issues which affect the Australian public and are reported on by the media.