Aps 5, 6 - Media and Communication Officer

$78,143 - $97,790 (plus Super)
- Canberra - ACT

**The Role**
Within Defence’s Strategic Communication Branch, APS 5 - 6 Media and Communication Officers support our senior executive to deliver against Ministerial and Government strategic communication priorities.

With teams embedded in every part of the organisation, the Strategic Communication Branch offers a diversity of roles across the breadth of Defence. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary communication team, you will be a source of trusted strategic communication advice and a valued partner to achieve communication objectives focused on one of the following Groups or Services:

- Royal Australian Navy
- Australian Army
- Royal Australian Air Force
- Joint Capabilities Group
- Australian Defence Force Headquarters
- Security and Estate Group
- Defence Science and Technology Group
- Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group
- Strategy, Policy and Industry Group
- Chief Information Officer Group
- Defence Finance Group
- Defence People Group (including Defence Force Recruiting and Defence Member and Family Services).

You can find out more about the Groups and Services on the Defence website.

Regardless of the Group or Service in which you are embedded, key responsibilities at the APS 5 - 6 level include:

- Developing communication strategies and associated media products, including talking points, media releases, social media content, fact sheets etc.
- Executing public affairs plans, including coordinating with senior stakeholders and escorting media at events.
- Anticipating and responding to media enquiries, developing timely holding statements and talking points in response to incidents.
- Maintaining a detailed understanding of your Group or Service’s activities and contributing to planning and forecasting events and communication opportunities for our Ministers and Executive.
- Identifying communication risks and opportunities to maintain and promote Defence’s reputation in line with communication priorities.

The Strategic Communication Branch is dynamic and is seeking to fill a number of immediate vacancies - some of which are listed below. A merit pool will also be established to fill future vacancies.

**About our Team**
The Strategic Communication Branch is part of the Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication Division and is responsible for day-to-day media and communication operations across Defence.

Strategic Communication Branch provides a range of services including media and public affairs support to Ministers, Senior Defence Leaders and Defence Groups and Services, strategic communication, social media and imagery and videography services. We are a large branch and offer an exciting range of career opportunities across the breadth of Defence. Mobility within the branch is supported and encouraged - meaning there are opportunities to work on issues as diverse as Defence People, Capability, International Policy, Science and Technology and directly to the Australian Defence Force.

We are looking for enthusiastic, solutions focused and innovative communication officers to join our team. We offer an inclusive environment underpinned by the Defence values of Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- The ability to build positive, collaborative working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Good judgement to manage competing priorities, maintain attention to detail and meet deadlines.
- The ability to anticipate and respond to diverse stakeholder needs and expectations, including Ministers and members of the Defence Senior Leadership Group, making logical connections of emerging issues across the enterprise.
- The ability to operate effectively as a team player.
- Initiative, flexibility and a demonstrated capacity to solve problems under pressure.

To be successful in these roles, Media and Communication Officers require the ability to work with a degree of independence to proactively identify issues and adjust media and communications products and activities accordingly.

Additionally, the ability to provide strategic communication advice based on an understanding of Defence’s priorities and the broader strategic environment is advantageous. Some rostered after hours work may be required, paid under overtime arrangements.