The Bar Association is seeking a Speechwriter / Media Liaison Officer to join our Policy and Law Reform team. As a Speechwriter/Media Liaison Officer your role will be to prepare high quality speeches delivered by Bar Association’s representatives at the swearing in and retirement of judges and magistrates and other public or private events. You will also act as the Association’s primary media contact and to provide advice to the Executive Director and the President on the Association’s media strategy, which supports the Association’s policy and advocacy work directed at protecting fundamental rights and the proper administration of justice in NSW.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE TO:

• Prepare addresses to be given by the Bar Association’s representatives at the swearing in and retirement of judges and magistrates and other public or private events, which will involve interviewing sources and preparing speeches in a manner and tone suitable for the Association’s role at the relevant event.
• Act as the Association’s media liaison contact, including developing relationships with media organisations and responding to enquiries from various media personnel in a timely manner including reporters, journalists, producers.
• With the Director, Policy & Law Reform, drafting and settling content for media releases, articles or other media content for the President.
• Manage the President’s response to media enquiries, media monitoring and identifying potential media risks.
• Provide advice when required to the President, Executive Director and Director, Policy and Law Reform in formulating media strategies concerning issues raised by or with the media, including the identification of, and responses to, relevant issues and strategies for proactive advocacy through the media.
• Develop and assist to implement a communications strategy for the Association.
• Assist to administer the Bar Association’s social media presence in accordance with Bar Council’s social media protocols, particularly with regard to Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook including, with the Director, Policy & Law Reform, drafting content for approval by the President.

• Other duties as required by the Executive Director and the Director, Policy & Law Reform.

Work outside the core standard hours will be necessary. Flexible working arrangement will be supported.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL HAVE:

• Demonstrated experience writing speeches and other content for public consumption
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills
• Experience in media, preferably in media liaison/strategy roles
• Experience of working closely with a range of stakeholders, including media organisations and media liaison/strategy staff of other similar organisations
• Ability to work collaboratively with other members of staff on various projects
• The ability to manage a high-volume work environment, including effective time management skills
• Flexible problem-solving skills and an ability to collate and analyse information and make timely and effective decisions
• Understanding of the role of barristers, judges and solicitors
• Knowledge of journalism, media strategy, marketing and online publications generally
• Competence in the use of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter
• Tertiary qualifications in journalism, communications, writing/media (desirable)

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, click the Apply Now button and follow the instructions.

The Association is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. First Nations candidates are encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability.

We are located in the CBD and work from home for part of the week.

If you have any enquiries, please contact Harriet Ketley, Director, Policy and Law Reform on 9232 4055.

Privacy Statement

The New South Wales Bar Association (Association) values your privacy and is committed to handling personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Any personal information that you provide during the recruitment process is collected by the Association for the purpose of considering your application for employment. This may include using and disclosing your personal information (and that of any referees or others mentioned in your application) to conduct reference or other pre-employment checks. If you choose not to provide your personal information to us, we may not be able to process your application.

For further information on how the Association collects, stores, uses and discloses personal information, and how an individual may obtain access to and where necessary correct their personal information, please see the Association’s Privacy Policy available at: http://www.nswbar.asn.au/privacy-policy. The Policy also contains information about how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how the Association will deal with any such complaint.

By submitting an application for this role, you are consenting to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as described above.