Senior Communication Specialists

Learn how a merit list or pool may be usedApplicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool. If the applicant agrees, the results may be shared with other Australian Public Service (APS) agencies for filling similar roles. Applicants may be offered a future role, without the need to reapply. A merit list or pool may be used for up to 18 months.

This merit list or pool may be used to fill other vacancies anywhere in Australia.
Applications close on Monday, 02 December at 11:59pm AEDT.
The opportunitiesThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is recruiting talented communications specialists to fill vacancies covering media, strategic communications, public diplomacy, social media, internal communications, speech writing, campaign management, graphic design, digital content production and website publishing.
We are looking for skilled, experienced and collaborative communications practitioners with an interest in international affairs and a commitment to serving the national interest to help us make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous.
Communications is a critical part of Australia's diplomacy toolkit – your work at DFAT will directly contribute to expanding Australia's global influence and help to build relationships with domestic and international stakeholders.
As a communications officer, you will work as part of DFAT's foreign policy, trade, international development and enabling teams to strategically advance Australia's interests. Your work will contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of DFAT's public and internal engagement.
The Strategic Communications Division (SGD) is DFAT's central communications division which manages the department's principal media, communications and public diplomacy work, while also shaping the information environment against a backdrop of foreign information manipulation and interference. Communication officers and sections are also embedded in policy and enabling teams across DFAT, and undertake targeted communications work in areas including consular, international development, passports and trade, and for regions including the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
The initial vacancies to be filled from this process are based in Canberra. This recruitment process will be used to fill current vacancies, as well as vacancies which may arise over the coming 18 months. Successful candidates will be offered placements in Canberra as opportunities arise.
Our ideal candidateEL1 specialist communications officers at DFAT proactively lead and deliver complex and sensitive communications projects and work programs under broad direction. They advance Australia's international efforts through productive engagement with ministerial officers, departmental officers in Australia and across our overseas post network, whole of government partners, civil society stakeholders and with the Australian public.
Crucially, our ideal candidate has outstanding people skills. They will be able to work productively and collaboratively across diverse team environments, including with Australia's offshore diplomatic network and a wide variety of international partners. They will demonstrate cultural sensitivity, resilience, flexibility and a proactive attitude to their work. They will be committed to nurturing positive interpersonal relationships.
Our ideal candidate also has a solid understanding of the government's priorities, excellent judgement and the ability to shape and contribute to the department's strategic communications efforts through developing, delivering and evaluating communication strategies, campaigns and products. You will have the ability to translate complex foreign policy, international development and trade concepts into compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences, domestically and internationally.
You will be creative, agile and resilient, work collaboratively and cooperatively and be able to identify and successfully use communication methods to address complex issues including as part of a crisis or humanitarian response.
You will have a sound understanding of contemporary communication practices and experience in government, corporate or other community engagement or public affairs roles. This may include working as a journalist, speechwriter, content creator, graphic designer or publisher in print, broadcast or digital media roles.
You will be expected to demonstrate expertise and skill in delivering high-level, proactive and strategic communications materials and advice, and to help uplift the communication capabilities within the department including through developing and delivering training. You may be required to manage programs, campaigns, procurements, grants and budgets, and use data and analytics to measure audience impact and engagement.
You will be able to build and engage a wide network of internal and external stakeholders including across DFAT's global network, Australian government agencies, partners, contractors, civil society, business, academia and foreign governments.
You will exercise a considerable degree of autonomy and contribute to team planning, decision making and work across broader section and branch objectives. In some roles, you may be required to manage a work unit. You may represent DFAT at official engagements and meetings.
There may be a requirement to undertake domestic and international travel.
For graphic design roles, qualifications and extensive experience with the Adobe Creative Suite is essential. Applicants are asked to upload a short portfolio of recent design work (no more than 10 pieces) in addition to their CV.
The key duties of the position include:Key duties
DFAT has a broad array of communications positions. Key duties for some of our more specialised roles are outlined below.
For media roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Preparing timely and accurate responses to media enquiries in consultation with internal and external stakeholders.Developing, reviewing and providing advice on media strategies, responses, materials, events and logistics including for domestic and international ministerial visits.Proactively developing media content in support of departmental objectives & priorities.Tracking, monitoring and reporting on media developments and providing reports and advice to key stakeholders, including portfolio ministers' offices and the senior executive.Participating in rotating duty rosters to cover early morning, evening and weekend work.For strategic communications roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Developing and implementing communications strategies to deliver on DFAT policy objectives.Campaign management, including developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating campaigns in accordance with Australian Government campaign guidelines.Crisis communications design and implementation.Business continuity planning and strategy development.Developing and implementing resilience programs to strengthen regional resilience and build capacity and understanding of how to respond to information manipulation.Applying communication analytics to improve DFAT's understanding of its audiences and the resonance of its messages and to identify gaps and opportunities for strategic messaging.Building relationships and engagement across DFAT including overseas posts, program delivery partners, the private sector, and civil society stakeholders.For public diplomacy roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Developing and implementing public diplomacy initiatives aimed at shaping regional and/or global perceptions of Australia to build international influence.Building, maintaining and facilitating engagement with a wide network of internal and external stakeholders, including across cultural and sports sectors.Undertaking research and analysis to inform strategy formulation and reporting relevant to monitoring and managing Australia's global reputation.Managing budgets and programs.For social media roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Developing and managing social and digital communications strategies including to drive engagement with DFAT channels and audiences.Developing and reviewing social media content and plans including for ministerial offices.Proactively creating, editing, and publishing social media content across various platforms using Sprinklr and editing software.Evaluating social media performance using analytics tools to provide insights and recommendations.Participating in rotating duty rosters to cover early morning, evening and weekend work.For internal communications focused roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Preparing and reviewing communication strategies to support preparation and delivery of effective messaging on departmental policies, priorities and programs.Providing communications support to the Secretary and senior executive in preparing materials for distribution to staff that supports the development of a positive work culture.Developing and managing internal communication products including all staff messages, the staff newsletter and computer lock screens.For speechwriting roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Drafting speeches for portfolio ministers and members of the senior executive on DFAT's broad areas of responsibilities in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.Providing speech outlines and innovative ideas for speech creation, as well as undertaking research and consultations to inform speech development.For graphic design focussed roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Applying Australian Government and DFAT Brand Guidelines to create visual products for external and internal stakeholders, including overseas posts, the senior executive and ministers. These products may include publications, banners, computer lock screens, placemats, letterheads, social media tiles, forms and new brand concepts.Developing specialised branding, logos and style guides for high-level events and initiatives.Providing expert advice on branding and graphic design to clients and stakeholders.For digital content production roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Developing, managing and implementing digital communications strategies and plans in accordance with program and departmental objectives.Developing high-quality digital content including photography, video, animation, social media reels and livestream video for internal and external audiences.Producing video, photographic and livestream coverage of departmental, media and public events, including for ministers and the senior executive, during domestic and overseas travel.Managing the department's approved Digital Asset Management System and the distribution and display of digital content internally and externally.For publishing roles, your duties could include, but not be limited to:
Managing requests for publishing of materials to the DFAT intranet, internet and portfolio minister websites and ensuring material is published accurately and in a timely manner and complies with Australian Government accessibility requirements.Providing technical advice to internal stakeholders on web best practice, including in the areas of content navigation and accessibility.Using content management systems (including GovCMS and SharePoint) and HTML coding to publish content.Creating web forms and online solutions to support client communication objectives and issues.Overseeing and participating in rotating duty rosters to cover early morning, evening and weekend work.Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent).
Candidates applying for graphic design positions are strongly encouraged to bring hard copies of their portfolios to the interview, in addition to uploading a short portfolio (no more than 10 images) in addition to their CV.
Candidates applying for digital content producer positions are strongly encouraged to provide links to online showreels, or similar digital content, in their pitch document or CV.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

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