About the agency

The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) is a small agency that was established in 2013 to oversee national actions to improve asbestos awareness and the effective and safe management, removal, and disposal of asbestos. This involves coordinating the implementation of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan.

In December 2023, the agency’s functions were expanded to include silica through the Amendment of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Act 2013. The agency’s name changed to the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency.

Our role is to assist in the prevention of exposure to asbestos fibres and respirable crystalline silica, to eliminate asbestos and silica related disease in Australia and the devasting impacts they create. We do this by coordinating the implementation of the national strategic plans for asbestos and silica. In doing so we are fortunate to work alongside other government agencies, employee and employer representatives, technical experts, the research community, impacted families, and partners, all motivated by the same outcome.

We are a non-corporate entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). Our Chief Executive Officer is appointed under the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency Act 2013 (the Act) and performs functions in accordance with that Act.

About the position

The APS 6 Project Officer, Communications and Events, is responsible for supporting the delivery of effective communication strategies and awareness campaigns that contribute to ASSEA’s core objectives. This includes developing and distributing content across the agency’s main communication channels, supporting event coordination and delivery, and ensuring ASSEA’s presence and messaging is relevant and visible to diverse stakeholder groups.

The position operates within a small, dynamic team environment and requires the occupant to have strong organisational and operational delivery skills. The Project Officer will regularly collaborate with colleagues, external stakeholders, and subject matter experts to produce high-quality communication materials and to raise awareness of asbestos and silica safety to influence behaviour change amongst target audiences.

This role is suited to a motivated, highly organised individual with demonstrated experience in communications, marketing, and events project management and support. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to health and safety messaging, be adept at managing multiple projects and priorities with the ability to recognise opportunities or changing situations as they arise and adapt plans accordingly.

The ability to work autonomously and collaboratively across the agency is crucial. The role also requires ability to effectively engage key stakeholders including ASSEA committee members, and representatives from Commonwealth, state and territory governments, and union and employer organisations.

Key duties:

The key duties for the position include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the implementation of communications strategies for the agency to support the delivery of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024-2030 (ANSP 2024-2030) and the Silica National Strategic Plan 2024-2030 (SNSP 2024-2030).

• Supporting the development and delivery of national awareness campaigns to educate the community about the dangers of asbestos and silica, including leading the stakeholder engagement component of promoting campaign materials.

• Supporting ASSEA’s social media presence and accounts, including drafting social media material to increase engagement, grow online presence and promote the work of the agency effectively.

• Providing communications support to ASSEA including preparing and proofing materials for dissemination to the public to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos and silica. This includes guidance documents, fact sheets, presentations, video, reports, Electronic Direct Mail (EDM), website and social media content.

• Supporting the agency’s events calendar, including logistical planning, procurement, speech and presentation preparation, and delivery of agency-led events (webinars, conferences, forums), as well as ASSEA’s participation in external events.

• Prepare project plans and reports including procurement of event-related goods and services and reporting on event budgeting within approved limits.

• Undertake research to inform communication strategies, including analysis of emerging trends, sector developments, and audience insights.

• Monitoring media for emerging issues, managing media enquiries, preparing media releases, pitching stories to journalists and providing support for media interviews.

• Contribute to the ongoing optimisation of ASSEA’s websites, including routine content updates, search engine optimisation (SEO), testing of website links, usability enhancements, and quarterly performance reporting.

• Communicating and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing support, anticipating and responding to their needs.

• Demonstrate flexibility and a commitment to organisational cohesion by undertaking other duties as directed.

• Other duties as required by the agency.

Required skills, abilities and experience

Applicants must demonstrate in their application how they meet the following requirements.

• High quality written and oral communication skills, with attention to detail, including the ability to prepare quality communications and marketing material tailored to a range of different audiences. Demonstrated research and analytical skills including the ability to digest diverse material and present it in a succinct and clear manner, appropriate to the audience.

• Ability to develop a detailed understanding of the issues around asbestos and silica, to adapt quickly and effectively to new requirements and situations in a small team environment, and keep updated on new sector trends and developments.

• Project management capabilities including event management experience with both virtual and in-person events.

• Experience in using website software such as Drupal and WordPress.

• Experience in graphic design (particularly for social media and website content) using and design software such as Canva and Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong, effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, by providing support, and responding to their needs.

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy and attention to detail in delivery of projects.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification(s) in media, communications and events.

• Experience in video production (particularly for social media and website content).

• Experience working in government or similar communications or research environment.

• Experience in working on communications in public health, workplace health and safety or environmental perspective (particularly risk communications).

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment with ASSEA, you must be an Australian citizen and you will be required to successfully undergo a police record check.

The successful applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Baseline level security clearance or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.

Recruit Ability applies to this vacancy. Under the Recruit Ability 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