Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) is a national, community-based organisation which is led by and for women and gender diverse people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. We advocate and educate to strengthen the health, safety and leadership of migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people in Australia.

MCWH works together with migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people, community organisations, health practitioners, employers, communities, and governments to build and share knowledge, achieve equity and improve health and wellbeing for migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people.

MCWH is an inclusive, family friendly employer that encourages a healthy work/life balance and offers flexible working hours and the option to work according to a hybrid working model.

Position Objectives

MCWH’s vision is for migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people to be free from all forms of discrimination, to have autonomy over their lives, and experience health equity, well-being and safety in society.

Leading a team of communications professionals, the Communications Manager will provide organisational and team leadership in communications for the operational implementation of MCWH’s Strategic Plan and objectives.

Organisational Relationships

Internal

The Communications Department sits in the Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement Pillar (ASE). The Communications Manager reports directly to the Director of ASE and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. This position provides day-to-day direct supervision of a team of Communications Officers.

The Communications Manager works closely with other managers in the ASE Pillar, the Research, Advocacy and Policy Manager and Business Development Manager to support the development, management and implementation of MCWH’s communications strategy to support the organisation’s goals and mission. The Communications Manager also collaborates with Managers in the Programs Pillar and Operations Pillar.

External

Relevant federal, state and local government departments; funding bodies; national, state and regional research institutions; service delivery and policy bodies; media; community organisations; training clients; migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people.

Key Responsibilities

Communications, Strategy and Planning 

• Lead the development of management level communications strategy
• Manage the implementation of the communications strategies and action plans to support MCWH’s strategic goals
• Undertake regular review of progress and performance of communications strategies and action plans
• Manage the implementation of organisational activities related to external representation of MCWH in accordance with advocacy and communication strategies
• Lead and support the Communications Team to implement innovative marketing, communications and media collateral for diverse audiences (government, academic, service providers and peaks) and channels
• Support the development and implementation of core messaging and communication frameworks
• Contribute to the development of key messages to support core advocacy campaigns and activity
• Collaborate closely with program and project staff to translate research and project insights into engaging and meaningful communications content
• Oversee the branding, development and distribution of MCWH communications material which includes:
  • MCWH newsletters
  • MCWH social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
  • MCWH website o MCWH program and event promotion
  • MCWH annual report o MCWH business development collateral

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage strategically with key stakeholders, in particular media stakeholders to facilitate opportunities for collaboration in accordance with MCWH’s stakeholder engagement framework and communications strategies
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to increase MCWH’s advocacy and communications messages and feminist intersectional approach

Staff Management

• Undertake regular supervision and work appraisal of the Communications Team
• Manage performance issues in a timely and constructive manner
• Recruit and select the Communications Team as required

Collaborate with the Leadership Team, by applying a systems thinking and evolving our ways of working by:

• Representing your function at Senior Leadership Team meetings
• Regularly reflecting on the impact of your functions, finding evidence-based opportunities for improvement
• Collaborating with the Director of ASE to maintain and review guidelines for conducting appropriate communications on migrant and refugee women’s health and wellbeing
• Collaborating with the Director of ASE and other managers to ensure that MCWH’s values and quality standards are understood and underpin the framework for all communications activities

Lead your team in an organised, collaborative and supportive way by:

• Coaching and empowering your team
• Ensuring that collaboration occurs at individual, team and organisational levels
• Coaching the team to be agile, pivoting their focus when needed
• Finding opportunities to play to their strengths
• Encouraging work/life balance and leading by example
• Celebrating individual and team strengths and achievements

General Responsibilities

• Represent MCWH as externally required
• Undertake appropriate relationship analysis to inform work priorities
• Support the implementation of organisational activities organised by MCWH working groups, including responding to reasonable requests, training opportunities and surveys organised by MCWH working groups
• Other duties consistent with the role and as negotiated with the Director of ASE

Selection Criteria (Essential)

Technical Requirements & Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in communications, marketing or a related field
• Minimum 3-years experience in a senior role (management role preferred)
• Demonstrated capacity to apply strategic thinking to a NFP communications context
• Experience in stakeholder engagement with a wide range of organisations and individuals of varying backgrounds
• High level writing, editing and proofreading skills
• Experience writing for a wide range of audiences including media, policy makers, speakers new to English, and the general community
• Strong creative and publication skills, including familiarity with formatting and design in software such as Canva, Photoshop, and inDesign
• Familiarity with a range of software, IT systems, online platforms and social media apps (Xero, google docs, Microsoft suite, wordpress, CRMs, Eventbrite/Humanitix)
• Highly developed understanding of migrant and refugee women’s health from a feminist, intersectional perspective

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent team management, coaching and leadership skills
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Strong organisational skills and strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Confidence, ability and capacity to meet regular reporting deadlines
• Readiness to role model MCWH values and expected behaviour
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Highly Desirable

• Fluency in a relevant community language
• Team management experience

Special Requirements

• Some evening or weekend work may be required from time to time
• MCWH operates according to a hybrid home/office working model

Salary & Conditions

• SCHADS Award Level 7.1
• Salary packaging is available, with a benefit of up to $15,900 per annum
• Additional leave entitlements:
  • 5 weeks annual leave for up to 5 years’ service and 6 weeks thereafter
  • 3 days ex-gratia leave between Christmas and New Years Day
  • Additional personal leave entitlements

Period of Appointment

This is a 2-year fixed term, part time 0.8 FTE (30.4 hours) appointment with possibility of extension.

In line with the exceptions outlined in the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, Section 28, MCWH actively seeks to employ women from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

MCWH uses the term “women” to be inclusive of both trans and cis women. Likewise, MCWH welcomes applications from migrant and refugee trans, non-binary, and gender diverse peoples who may not identify as women and experience gender inequality.

To apply, click "Apply now" to submit your application. 

Please direct any questions about the role to:

Director of Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr Maria Hach (She/Her) - [email protected] using the subject line: Communication Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.