Communications Officer - Melbourne

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The purpose of the Communications Officer role is to:

• Take a leading role in the writing and production of the Wilderness Society’s Campaign and Fundraising communications materials, for both print and online;
• Participate in the development of messaging for Wilderness Society projects;
• Provide advice and guidance on communication mechanisms and the use of appropriate mediums for Wilderness Society projects.

The position sits within the Communications unit and will work with communications colleagues as well as Campaigns and Fundraising to deliver a range of materials, and ensure the delivery of consistent messages that are tailored to specific target audiences through different mediums.

This will result in increased capacity for supporters and the wider public to engage with and support the work of the Wilderness Society, increasing campaign effectiveness and increasing supporter engagement, financial contribution and retention.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop, implement and evaluate communication projects that support campaign, fundraising and organisational strategies.
2. Work with representatives from Fundraising and Campaigns, and then designers and web developers, to produce print and online products. This position particularly focuses on developing and maintaining our website and online resources including writing and publishing content, writing and sending emails, and informing our social networks.
3. Work with internal stakeholders to develop effective and targeted messaging.
4. Develop an understanding of the organisation’s campaigns to be able to communicate them quickly and effectively – this includes applying consistent messaging which reflects campaign and fundraising goals, and communications research findings (eg. focus groups)
5. Actively contribute to communications strategy, innovation and evaluation.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. A minimum of 2 years experience in a similar role
2. Demonstrated high levels of written and oral communication skills and attention to detail
3. Demonstrated application of effective message development for different audiences, including the ability to translate complex information and deliver messages across different communications channels (eg. online, print and social media)
4. Experience using content management systems and email systems
5. An understanding of communications strategy, planning and approaches
6. The ability to deal professionally with a diverse range of stakeholders who aren’t always Communications-savvy
7. Enthusiasm, energy and creativity to produce high quality work with quick turnaround in a demanding environment
8. Alignment with the Wilderness Society’s values
9. An understanding and experience of print production is desirable
10. Experience delivering Fundraising communications is desirable

CONDITIONS

Location: Melbourne
Status: Full time - fixed term (4 months)
Salary: $50k p/a (pro rata)
Annual Leave: 4 weeks annually (pro rata - incl. 17.5% leave loading)
Reports to: Communications Manager

To apply, please submit:

1. Your resume
2. A letter covering the selection criteria (please use the letter as an opportunity to show off your writing skills)
3. Two or more examples of your writing (eg. email, online articles, direct mail letters, magazine articles, brochures).

Submit your application to Tania Sincock, Communications Manager, by emailing tania.sincock@wilderness.org.au

Closing date: Monday 22 March, 2010

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Background on The Wilderness Society

The Wilderness Society (TWS) is a leading Australian not-for-profit conservation organisation dedicated to the protection, restoration and promotion of natural areas and ecological processes across Australia. See:  www.wilderness.org.au

TWS was established in 1976 to help save the Franklin River and has since played an important role in many of Australia’s great conservation campaigns. Kakadu, the Daintree, SW Tasmanian Wilderness, the forests of Eastern and Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef and the wilderness of Antarctica are among the many places TWS has helped save.

TWS is actively engaged in implementing our ‘WildCountry’ vision: a continent-wide, science-based conservation plan for protecting Australia's native flora and fauna, their habitats, and ecological processes for the long term. See: wilderness.org.au/campaigns/wildcountry

The Wilderness Society is an equal opportunities employer and places great importance on its organisational values including commitment to open and participatory decision making processes, belief in the power of people to bring about change, dedication to innovation, and passion for our organisational purpose.

The Wilderness Society Organisational Purpose

Protect, promote and restore wild places and natural processes across Australia for the survival and ongoing evolution of life on Earth.

The Wilderness Society Organisational Values

1) Passion for our purpose (courage, strength of conviction, determination)

2) The power of people to make change

3) Organisational independence and integrity

4) Compassion (valuing and supporting people, respecting and having integrity in dealing with others)

5) Commitment to success in protecting the environment and achieving long term change.