Speechwriter, Communications Branch

Location: Barton, ACT

Application Closing Date: 10-Nov-2024 **by 11:30pm AEDT**

**Classification**

Executive Level 1 ($121,717 - $138,722)

**Employment Type**

Ongoing & Non-ongoing

Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for an initial period of up to 12 months, with possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years.

A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment, however this must occur within 18 months from the opening date of this advertisement.

**Flexible Work**

At PM&C we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of ‘how can we make this work?’ and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.

**Who we are**

Our team researches and drafts speeches, parliamentary motions, video messages, opinion pieces and other written material for portfolio ministers and senior executives.

We're a tight-knit team with different strengths, interests, and determination to help each other produce top-notch work, day in and day out.

**What you will do**

Do you consider yourself a word nerd? Love telling a good story? Delight in decoding jargon? Thrive under pressure?

Is that a yes? Well, you must be a speechwriter — or you probably should be

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is running a recruitment round for speechwriters. It is an opportunity to work in a fast-paced and high-performing team, writing material for the highest level of government.

We write across all policy topics, but in particular on economic, social, national security, foreign affairs, women’s and Indigenous policy. We also write speeches to support national and historic commemorations, and in response to domestic and international events.

This recruitment round is to create a merit list that will be used to fill short and long-term vacancies that may arise over the next 18 months.

**What you will bring**

If you join our team, you will use your highly developed writing and analytical skills, your persuasive stakeholder engagement, and your solid understanding of Australian Government policy to write well-researched and engaging speeches and messages — sometimes to very tight deadlines.

You will liaise with a broad range of people within the department, external stakeholders and staff in ministerial offices. You will therefore need well-developed interpersonal skills and have a collaborative approach. You will also need to work independently and manage competing priorities.

You will think laterally when it comes to researching speeches in order to create narratives that are compelling and capture the imagination. You will be rigorous about accuracy and have an eye for detail.

You will be a good fit for the role if you are able to prioritise and respond flexibly as priorities shift, and recognise that speechwriting is a collaborative process and that the final product is a joint effort.
- have extensive speechwriting, journalistic or other professional writing experience, and an excellent understanding of written and spoken English
- have the ability to absorb and analyse complex information quickly and explain it to others in plain English
- have excellent generalist knowledge of Australian society and history, be interested in current events and be comfortable writing in line with Government policies
- be able to develop and maintain productive working relationships with ministerial offices, the executive, and policy areas of PM&C
- value accuracy and pay attention to detail
- be highly professional, flexible and dedicated to getting the job done, often to tight deadlines.

**Eligibility**

**Security Clearance Required**

Baseline Vetting (Protected)

**How to apply**
- Your resume (maximum three pages)
- A ‘one page pitch’ telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job and to perform at the relevant classification level. Creativity is encouraged

**Contact Officer