Communications and Engagement Lead

**Position Summary**

This new position in the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare is accountable for developing and delivering Community and Stakeholder Communications Engagement plans and associated resources for the Child and Family Services Employment-based Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Program.

This flagship project will establish a new career pathway for degree qualified career changers highly suited to a career in child and family services to move into the sector. The program will see participants employed within child and family services while being supported to study a bespoke child and family services employment-based Master of Social Work (qualifying) degree that has a curriculum focused on workplace learning and the development of advanced child and family practice skills.

An adaption of a successful UK program, the Victorian program aims to improve workforce capability, improve graduate job readiness, increase retention, and enable people from diverse communities to move into a career in the child and family services sector.

The trial is funded by the Victorian Government and the role will need to work closely with Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) colleagues.

The successful applicant will work closely with DFFH in the design of promotional materials, recruitment campaigns, media management strategies, and information packs for prospective students and child and family services agencies.

The successful applicant will use their excellent verbal and written communication skills to develop and implement significant community and industry consultation and stakeholder engagement programs for this high-profile initiative.

**Key Accountabilities**
- **Contribute to the development and implementation of Communication and Engagement Plans to support the Child and Family Services Employment-based Master of Social Work (Qualifying) project and associated programs of work aligned to achieving the program outcomes.**
- **Design and run targeted stakeholder and community engagement activities to raise awareness/understanding of - and seek meaningful input into - the project (including information and consultation sessions, surveys, facilitated workshops, information packages, and web content).**
- **Lead content development and distribution for target audience and stakeholder groups (including online news stories, social media posts, key messaging books, website content, information packages, presentations, brochures and flyers).**
- **Write speeches and talking points for the CEO for events, forums and media opportunities**
- **Provide communications support at, and in the lead-up to, events, including social media coverage**
- **Create post-engagement analysis reports including key themes of community interest and preferences, ensuring feedback is provided to the community.**
- **Working with the project team, develop a student support program that includes an information sharing portal, self-help kiosk, and networking opportunities. Provide similar opportunities for supporting child and family service agencies that participate in the program.**
- **Work collaboratively with the DFFH Communications and Engagement unit to ensure the delivery of professional communications and media services for the project.**
- **Contribute to continuous improvement to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the Project team.**
- **Plan, pitch and manage media opportunities, establish strategic messaging and media goals for the project brand, prepare media releases and statements on behalf of the project.**

**Key Selection Criteria**

**To be successful in this role you will have**:

- **Relevant tertiary qualifications in communication or public relations**
- **Experience in developing and delivering successful communication strategies and supporting materials**
- **Competence in social media management**

**Experience (desired)**
- **Experience working with Not for Profits or community organisations**
- **Previous experience writing briefing notes, CEO talking points, and speeches**
- **Working in a small team**

**Skills**
- **Strong verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to write clearly and simply for a wide range of audiences in a variety of styles including speeches and presentations**
- **Good project management skills with an ability to lead complex communication and engagement projects**
- **High level of proficiency creating content for and managing social media**
- **Proficient in creating digital content: text, images, video**
- **Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure**
- **Ability to manage expectations and work well with different teams and stakeholders, and ability to work well autonomously**
- **Ability to provide informed advice to senior management on strategic engagement opportunities to support the program.**

**Conditional Employment Requirements**

**1. Satisfactory National Police Check**

**2. Satisfactory Worki