The RSPCA is Australia's best known and most trusted animal welfare organisation, and RSPCA Australia is now looking for two Communications Officers to join their team.

RSPCA Australia is the national office of the RSPCA – we work to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country. We do this through various avenues, including working with government and industries, communicating and contributing to animal welfare science, running the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, and working with supporters through targeted advocacy and education campaigns. We also support RSPCA state and territory member Societies who provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the Communications Officer include:

• Write and edit content generated by the RSPCA Australia team for a wide variety of purposes, including the RSPCA’s own publications and corporate communications materials as well as web content, eDMs, media releases, blogs, opinion pieces, social media content, and responses to supporters and members of the public.
• Assist in managing proactive and reactive media (including media monitoring, managing the media mailbox and, as required, the media phone) to maintain positive media relationships, leverage opportunities, and ensure the RSPCA’s voice is heard on key issues accurately and consistently.
• Working closely with the Science and Policy team and the rest of the Communications and Campaigns team, assist with the communications contribution to RSPCA Australia’s national campaigns and advocacy programs.
• Working closely with the Marketing team and the rest of the Communications and Campaigns team, assist with the communications contribution to national events, marketing, fundraising and partnership activities.
• Contribute to building and maintaining strong relationships with state and territory RSPCA member Societies and other external stakeholders.
• Other duties as reasonably directed. As a member of a small team, other duties and activities that contribute to the work of RSPCA Australia will be required from time to time, contributing as required to the day-to-day operations of the Communications and Campaigns team and the RSPCA Australia office.

Selection Criteria

Please ensure you refer to the following selection criteria in your application:

• Tertiary qualification in communications, public relations, or a related discipline; or equivalent professional experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience writing content for a variety of different channels and audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, organisational skills and attention to detail.
• A keen demonstrated interest in animal welfare and enthusiasm for the not-for-profit sector and animal welfare issues.
• Desirable: Some knowledge or a demonstrated interest in farm animal welfare, which forms a major part of our work.

Technical skills:

• Good understanding of email marketing using MailChimp or a similar service.
• Good understanding of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
• Desirable: Basic skills or ability to learn use of web publishing platforms and content management systems such as Drupal or Wordpress.

Just some of the great benefits for working with RSPCA Australia

• Work in a vibrant, fast-paced, supportive and friendly team environment.
• Convenient location, close to public transport and parking.
• Join Australia’s most trusted animal welfare charity, helping manage one of Australia’s leading brands.
• Grow your skills in a positive atmosphere with a team that is committed to animal welfare.
• Benefit from an organisational commitment providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect (including, for example, access to an EAP Service).
• Regular training, professional and personal development opportunities. and career development.
• And yes, of course, we do often have dogs in the office!

Employment Conditions

• Full-time position (negotiable).
• 38 hours per week (negotiable).
• Ordinary hours of work are worked between 7:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday (negotiable).
• Ideally, the successful candidate will be based in Canberra and able to work from the Deakin office; however, some flexibility may be available.
• Intra and interstate travel may be very occasionally required.
• Occasional work outside of normal business hours.

How to apply

Click "Apply Now" and follow the instructions.

Further information can be found via our website https://www.rspca.org.au/about-us/join-our-team

For role related queries or questions contact Jane Speechley on 02 6282 8300.

For general recruitment queries contact Trudy Griffiths on 02 6282 8300 or at [email protected] using the subject line: Communications Officer x2 enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information regarding RSPCA Australia go to www.rspca.org.au.