Senior Communications and Media Advisor

Communications / Corporate Services

APS6 (Ongoing)

Full-time or Part-time (0.8 FTE minimum)

Are you an experienced and highly driven communications professional? Are you skilled at translating complex information into easy-to-understand materials, accessible for a general audience? Do you enjoy identifying and pursuing new opportunities for profile-raising and impact?

We are seeking a highly motivated, creative and experienced team player who can bring exceptional communications and media skills to an organisation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of Australian families.

About us

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS, or ‘the Institute’) is the Australian Government's key research body in the area of family wellbeing. It is an independent statutory authority established in 1980 under the Family Law Act 1975. It is also home to the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC), established under the Gambling Measure Act 2012 which builds the evidence base on gambling-related harm. The Institute is an agency within the portfolio of the Department of Social Services (DSS).

AIFS’ mission is to conduct high-quality, impartial research into the wellbeing of Australian families, to inform government policy and promote evidence-based practice in the family services sector. We conduct research, provide independent advice and communicate findings to government policy-makers, service providers, researchers and the community about factors affecting family wellbeing. Through our research, we contribute to developing policy and practice to promote the wellbeing of families in Australia.

Our team

The Communications Team works closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure AIFS is recognised as a leading source of research and evidence-based resources related to family wellbeing. Our aims are to support high quality policy and practice, effectively impart research evidence, and influence national conversations about family wellbeing.

To do this, we help translate research and evidence into easy-to-understand materials for diverse audiences – including practitioners, government personnel, policy-makers, academics and the general public. We use a range of platforms to publish and promote our work – including AIFS website and mini-sites, intranet, social media channels, e-newsletters and advertising. We also work closely with media personnel to impart research findings in news media, and manage the biennial AIFS Conference and other events, including a highly successful webinar program.

As part of our external communication efforts, we manage the organisation’s reputational risk, government relations and brand identity. We also manage internal communications, to help build a cohesive and positive culture in which staff are well informed about areas of strategic focus, and able to contribute positively to broader organisational goals.

Position Requirements

The Senior Communications and Media Advisor plays a key role in implementing our communications strategy, using mainstream media, as well as digital and social media channels to impart research findings, promote our evidence-based resources, and elevate our experts.

The role works with senior leaders and researchers at all levels to develop effective media plans, provide sound media advice and coaching, and effectively prepare researchers and senior leaders for media interviews. This includes building and maintaining trusted relationships with journalists and other media professionals to achieve positive outcomes and respond quickly and effectively to potential reputational risks.

The Senior Communications and Media Advisor also plays a key role in monitoring the social and political environment – to keep senior leaders and relevant research teams across topics of interest, and to leverage opportunities for AIFS’ involvement in public conversations. This includes scanning political announcements and other research institutes’ work, and initiating, writing and/or pitching media statements, think pieces/opinion pieces, fact sheets, and social media posts.

Position duties

Under the direction of the Head of Communications, the Marketing and Events Manager is required to:

• Develop, implement and evaluate effective media and communications strategies that support AIFS’ strategic goals.
• Write and edit high quality media/communications materials for multiple channels, including media releases and statements, think pieces/opinion pieces, fact sheets and social media posts.
• Generate positive coverage in print, broadcast and online media, aligned to AIFS strategic priorities.
• Build effective relationships with AIFS staff at all levels, as well as communications teams in other government departments/agencies and ministers’ offices.
• Monitor the wider social and political environment for issues impacting families, and leverage opportunities for AIFS to contribute to public discussion, in line with broader organisational goals.
• Arrange media conferences, launches and other media events and act as a point of contact within AIFS for media-specific advice and enquiries.
• Provide sound advice, media message development, and media coaching as required.
• Respond to media enquiries, and support and protect AIFS’ reputation through effective risk identification and management.
• Support the events, marketing and web development functions of the Communications Team as required.
• Actively promote a culture where AIFS’ Values and Behaviours, APS Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct are promoted and applied within the Communications Team and workplace.

Key Selection Criteria

• Professional expertise
• Achieving results
• Relationships and interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership
• Values and integrity

For a comprehensive overview of the selection criteria, please see the Position Description for more information.

Terms

The Senior Communications and Media Advisor role will be offered as a full-time or part-time ongoing position at the APS6 level. This will be with a salary range of between $94,563 to $105,910 depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate, plus 15.4% superannuation.

Application information

Please visit: Work with us | Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au) for full application requirements. Please complete the Application Form where you will need to attach your resume and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the selection criteria outlined on the Position Description.

Applications for this position close at 11.59 PM on 28 April 2025.

Contact: Human Resources

Contact Phone: 03 9214 7888

Contact Email: [email protected]

Position Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for engagement, applicants must be Australian citizens unless special approval is given. For example, applicants with permanent resident status who have applied or intend to apply for Australian citizenship may be considered for engagement.

Conditions of engagement including probation, health and character clearances (including police records check, Working with Children Check and security clearance) may apply to this position.

Position notes

AIFS is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, mature age people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people with parenting and/or caring responsibilities.

We provide a family-friendly and flexible workplace that supports the wellbeing and professional development of our diverse workforce. Benefits include workplace health and wellbeing activities, a good health promotion allowance and Christmas closedown period with no deduction from leave credits. Our salaries and conditions of employment are set out in our Enterprise Agreement.