Media & Outreach Officer

**Role Type**: 2 year full time contract
**Salary**: $95,000 - $110,000 per annum plus superannuation
**The opportunity**:
We are seeking a passionate Media and Outreach Officer to help lead our media and community outreach efforts for the OurDNA program. In this role, you will work closely with the Participant Recruitment and Community Engagement teams to craft tailored outreach strategies, maximise participation through media campaigns, and amplify awareness across diverse communities.
**About us**:
The Centre for Population Genomics (CPG) is a collaboration between the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne. CPG is focused on using genomic information to enable disease prediction, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment for all people. Currently, genetic databases are primarily based on people of European and American descent, leaving many minority ancestries in Australia underrepresented, such as Oceanian, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and African communities. This gap limits medical support for genetic illnesses in these groups.
The OurDNA program is addressing this issue by recruiting over 7,000 participants from diverse backgrounds to create a more inclusive genetic resource, improving diagnosis for rare diseases across Australian communities. The Centre is working on developing advanced software, conducting population genomics analyses, and engaging with underrepresented communities to make significant strides in genomics-driven healthcare. Supported by key partners and a $10 million grant from the Medical Research Futures Fund, CPG is leading this transformative effort.
**Your responsibilities include**:
Cultivate relationships with media outlets, community leaders, and influencers to engage underrepresented communities and secure press coverage.
Develop culturally appropriate, engaging content (press releases, social media posts, media kits, etc.) aligned with program goals.
Lead impactful social media campaigns to drive participant recruitment, and use data-driven insights to refine strategies.
Ensure that all communications resonate with diverse communities and are culturally sensitive.
Track performance metrics, ensuring the effectiveness of all outreach efforts.
Coordinate and attend recruitment events, creating content to showcase the pr
**What we need from you**:
Proven experience in public relations, media management, or community engagement with a focus on multicultural communities.
Strong skills in social media strategy, content creation, and campaign management.
Passion for advancing health equity and multicultural inclusion.
Excellent communication, project management, and organisational skills.
What’s in it for you?
Benefit from salary packaging, including entertainment and novated leases
Be part of a groundbreaking program at the intersection of genomic research and social justice, ensuring health equity for all Australians.
Work in a positive, inclusive environment that fosters learning, development, and growth.
Collaborate with a diverse, global team of professionals who share a common vision: re-imagining the future of child health.
Enjoy a variety of flexible work arrangements.
Take advantage of a unique opportunity to be part of a respected research institute
Benefit from generous personal leave days and purchased leave options
Employee Wellbeing - benefit from our health and wellbeing program, including free access to the Employee Assistance Program
Who we are
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute envisions a transformative future for child health. Our institute is a hub of impactful scientific breakthroughs, particularly in early interventions, enhanced diagnosis, prevention, and potential cures. We thrive on collaborative, multidisciplinary problem-solving to address challenging queries in child health. Committed to inclusivity and respect, we foster a positive working environment that values diverse backgrounds and experiences. As a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability and a dedicated supporter of Science Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), we uphold principles of equal opportunity and diverse representation.
We are committed to the safety of children and young people and takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse, exploitation and harm. Child safety is prioritised in our decision-making at all levels of the Institute.
Join Us
Your resume
A cover letter addressing the selection criteria
Ensure these documents are combined into a single PDF file.
No recruitment agencies please.
Position Description
**Applications close**: 6th January 2025 AUS Eastern Daylight time