• Salary Offering: VALS E 1.1 – 1.4 - $89691.06 - $94754.39 (full-time equivalent) per annum plus 11.5% Superannuation
• Office Locations: 273, High Street Preston Victoria 3072.
• This role is full-time fixed term for 12 months.

Additional Benefits:

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
• Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging is available via Maxxia

Overview

The Senior Media Advisor is responsible for planning and delivering VALS’s media strategy. This includes managing and developing relationships with government and media organisations/representatives, preparing media releases, developing and coordinating VALS social media presence, support and prepare the CEO and other staff for media interviews and public speaking events and proactively pursuing and participating in media and communications opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Write, review and pitch compelling and newsworthy content (including media releases and opinion pieces) for a range of broadcast, print and digital communications platforms, to promote VALS’ policy priorities and positions, VALS’ activities and articles that positively represent Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and stories in a strengths-based approach
• Develop and implement campaign strategy and advocacy opportunities as in line with VALS strategic priorities.
• Triage and respond to media requests
• Help ensure that VALS spokespeople are sufficiently equipped and prepared for media work and interviews
• Monitor media mentions of VALS and issues important to VALS, and provide regular reporting on trends
• Develop and maintain relationships with journalists
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, particularly in the legal and Aboriginal Community Controlled sectors, and identify opportunities to work collaboratively
• Work in collaboration with all sections of VALS to identify key priority areas and to formulate key messages
• Help to develop and coordinate social media content and engagement in support of broader media strategy
• Support the work of the Communications Team Leader, as required
• Ability to travel across Victoria to work on local media opportunities
• As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training

Key Selection Criteria

Mandatory

• Relevant media qualifications such as in Journalism, Public Relations and Media and/or substantial experience working as a media, communications or PR advisor.
• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail, with demonstrated expertise in writing content for media.
• Deep knowledge of the Australian media landscape.
• Experience pitching to journalists and a demonstrated ability to get up proactive media stories.
• Strong organisational, time management and planning skills; with an ability to work autonomously and within a team
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and media monitoring tools.
• Passion for working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and empowering their voices and advocacy.

Desirable

• Experience working in the non-profit sector.
• Experience using video editing and graphic design programs including the Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.

Personal accountability

• Compliance with all VALS Values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion
• Ensure appropriate use of resources
• Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace.
• Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required)
• Promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management.
• Attend mandatory training sessions (I.e. equal employment opportunity, health and safety, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

Mandatory Requirement

• On offer of this position, you must provide:
• A copy of your current Employee Working with Children Check card
• A copy of your current Victorian Driver’s License
• You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check
• Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e. a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate or Immigration VISA documentation
• COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Certificate or current and valid medical exemption certificate
• Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role