This dynamic part-time, ongoing role at Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) is designed to enhance our communications and engagement with key stakeholders, members and the wider homelessness sector, while identifying opportunities to amplify the organisation’s influence and impact. Reporting to the Director of Policy and Communications, the Magazine Editor / Communications Officer will spend 50% of their time overseeing day-to-day management of CHP’s magazine Parity – Australia's premier homelessness publication – and 50% of their time developing and implementing communication strategies that elevate CHP’s profile and drive advocacy efforts to end homelessness.

In this role, you will be responsible for planning the content for Parity, liaising with contributors to source and develop content, approaching sponsors and advertisers to help financially support the publication, and planning the ongoing evolution of the magazine’s publishing format. Sample copies of past editions of Parity can be found here.

In regard to your general communications responsibilities in this role, you’ll produce compelling content across multiple media (including video, webinars and live events) to support CHP’s advocacy initiatives, events and services; you’ll manage social media and digital platforms; you’ll play a critical role in maintaining consistent internal communications; and you’ll collaborate on fundraising campaigns.

Central to this position is the opportunity to amplify the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness, ensuring their stories are a focal point of CHP’s communications.

Applicants with lived experience of homelessness are encouraged to apply.

This role is 0.8 FTE.

Organisational context

Vision

An end to homelessness in Victoria.

Purpose

To work with, for, and alongside the specialist homelessness sector to co-create, support, and deliver on the solutions to end homelessness in Victoria.

We believe…

• homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring.
• self-determination is the pathway to ending Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander homelessness.
• ending homelessness is possible.
• homelessness is the outcome of structural inequity and inequality.
• in diversity, equity, and inclusion for every Victorian
• a collective voice for the sector will build more power and have more influence than any single voice alone.
• people with living and lived experience are crucial experts in ending homelessness.
• an equipped and resourced specialist homelessness sector can help us end homelessness.

Key responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the position include:

• Content and Storytelling: Create and manage content across CHP’s platforms, including Parity magazine, CHP’s website, social media, newsletters, and reports, with a focus on integrating lived experience stories to drive advocacy and awareness.
• Parity Sponsor and Advertiser Engagement: Identifying and developing relationships with potential sponsors and advertisers for Parity, recruiting ongoing and edition-specific sponsors and advertisers.
• Social Media and Digital Communications: Develop and implement social media strategies, manage online engagement, and ensure a consistent and integrated online presence across all digital platforms.
• Campaign and Event Support: Contribute to communication strategies for advocacy campaigns, policy submissions, and public events, ensuring cohesive promotion and messaging. Coordinate and promote Parity launches and other CHP’s events, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s objectives.
• Internal Communications: Develop and distribute internal communications to keep staff informed and ensure a unified message across the organisation.
• Fundraising Communications: Create compelling communication materials, including donor newsletters and impact reports, to support fundraising campaigns.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the team, other departments and external partners (such as Parity’s designers and printer), to achieve shared goals.
• Sector Collaboration: Work closely with member organisations and consumers of homelessness programs to develop policy positions, build coalitions of support, and drive change.

Selection criteria

Qualifications & Experience:

• Tertiary or postgraduate qualification in Media, Communications, Marketing or a related field, or equivalent experience (including lived experience).
• Eligibility for a satisfactory Police Check.
• Eligibility for a Working with Children Check.

Capabilities & Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in content creation, copywriting, and editing for various platforms (website, social media, newsletters).
• Proven experience in managing social media accounts and developing social media strategies.
• Strong understanding of digital communications, including SEO, website management, and analytics.
• Experience in promoting and coordinating events
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadline.

Please send any enquiries about the role to [email protected] using the subject line: Magazine Editor / Communications Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.