Department of Health

6 Months

Primary objective

Manages the proactive and reactive media functions for NT Health and ensures professional representation of the portfolio through the development and implementation of a coordinated media strategy.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Lead and develop the implementation of a media and public affairs strategy, ensuring communication of consistent and accurate messages to all stakeholders via the media.
2. Liaise with NT Health executives, managers and staff, ministerial officers and external stakeholders in developing and distributing media materials such as media briefs, releases, responses, editorials and digital communication materials.
3. Manage all media issues ensuring all relevant stakeholders are consulted and consistent responses are provided to the media across the NT.
4. Employ superior expert research and analytical skill to identify and verify source material for articles and other communications of significance.
5. Act as the first point of contact for all media enquiries, including outside of normal working hours and participate in a 24/7 on call roster.
6. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken in order to ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces.
7. Foster a positive workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Proven track record in journalism and/or public relations fields or proven recent experience in strategic media management.
2. Demonstrated superior writing skills, including proof-reading, editing and writing skills, with the ability to translate technical information into plain English, for diverse audiences, channels and publication needs.
3. Proven experience working in high-pressure environments, managing competing and changing deadlines in a calm and positive manner.
4. Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to connect with a broad range of professionals, including across the health system, partner organisations and other government departments.
5. Comprehensive and practical understanding of contemporary, current and emerging public affairs and media issues and trends affecting governments locally and interstate.
6. A comprehensive knowledge of and experience in utilising a broad range of public affairs and media management tools including establishing media events, developing forecasts and completing reporting requirements.
7. Ability to work independently or as part of a team with high levels of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.

Desirable

1. Tertiary qualification in an appropriate discipline (e.g. Journalism, communications, marketing, business).
2. Experience in emergency and crisis communications.

Special Instructions:

Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy.

Contact:

Jo Waide on 0436 641 108 or [email protected]