Introduction

In November 2022, the Victorian Government committed to reviving the State Electricity Commission (SEC) with an initial $1 billion investment to bring back government ownership of energy and deliver 4.5 gigawatts of renewable power. The SEC Implementation Office's primary responsibility is to support the revival of the SEC. Victoria is in the midst of a major energy transformation, with new energy technologies, new industries, and new ways of doing things. The Victorian Government recognises this and the need for a modern energy system to support our economy and way of life – an energy system that is sustainable, reliable and affordable. Once established, the SEC will contribute towards the significant transformation of the energy sector in Victoria.

The SEC Implementation Office is part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), which brings together Victoria's climate change, biodiversity protection, resources, water, energy, land management, agriculture, forest, and fire management functions.

The SEC Implementation Office is recruiting staff to establish the SEC, with a variety of positions available for at least 6 months and up to 24 months. A talent pool is being developed to find the core skill areas required now and into the future. Applicants for these roles will automatically be considered for similar positions. Roles will commence from February and March 2023.

There is an opportunity for these roles to be located in Melbourne (8 Nicholson Street East Melbourne VIC 3002) and Morwell (65 Church St, Morwell VIC 3840).

About the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Stream

The Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Stream includes roles for:

  • VPS6 Strategic Communications Manager (one role)

  • VPS6 Manager, Media and Events (one role)

  • VPS6 Manager, Stakeholder Engagement (one role)

  • VPS5 Senior Communications Adviser (multiple roles)

  • VPS5 Senior Stakeholder Engagement Adviser (multiple roles)

Communications and stakeholder engagement roles offer exciting opportunities to provide leadership and advice on media relations, events, content development, reputation management, and strategic stakeholder and community engagement.

With a focus on targeted reputation management, quality public engagement and building meaningful stakeholder connections, the roles will work across the department, government and industry, to develop best-practice engagement strategies and deliver exciting key events such as community and industry forums. Ideal candidates will have the ability to develop impactful written content, develop and deliver strategies and build great networks with key stakeholders to achieve project and program outcomes. Ideal candidates will also feel comfortable working in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.

Further information about the key accountabilities, required skills and experience is provided in the attached Job Cards.

There are multiple opportunities to work in stakeholder engagement and communications roles at the SEC Implementation Office. Applying for a specific role will also mean that you will go into a Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Pool for 12 months. You may be contacted by the SEC Implementation Office for other similar opportunities.

Core skills, key capabilities

Successful candidates in this stream will be able to demonstrate the key selection criteria outlined for the relevant role, which will include one or more of the following:

  • Implementing best practice strategies to engage and communicate with key stakeholders, including with communities, local government, industry, unions and organisations

  • Developing multi-channel communication strategies to proactively promote organisational priorities and programs of work, providing strategic communications advice and leading creative campaigns

  • Planning and delivering content for digital media, social media, publications, speeches and stakeholder events

  • Developing and maintaining stakeholder management processes that contribute to the end-to-end delivery of operational and strategic activities associated with the operations of the business, organising stakeholder forums and engagement sessions

  • Experience working in government in a media role, including an understanding of politically sensitive environments, working with Ministerial offices, pitching potential opportunities and organising Ministerial media events

Your application

To be considered for this stream, applicants must submit:

1. An application form –to support the assessment of a candidate's level capability and experience against core skill areas for the role, and others like it. Please note, the application form is embedded and applicants will be able to access it after clicking ‘Apply now'.
2. A current resume (under three pages)

We closed applications for the initial round of recruitment on 26 February 2023. We will shortlist these applicants first.

If you missed the deadline, you can still express your interest by clicking 'Apply now'.

We will only consider these applications if further opportunities become available.

Expressions of interest will close at midnight on 31 March 2023.

Candidates do not need to submit separate applications for the jobs listed above, however, you will need to submit a separate application if you would like to apply for roles in other streams (one application per stream).

Other relevant information

If you are currently an employee of the VPS this opportunity could be considered a secondment. You should understand your department's secondment policy and how this may impact on your employment (ongoing and fixed term).

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check. Recruitment is subject to the prospective employee confirming their vaccination status as up to date (3 doses) or providing evidence that they are medically exempt.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

How we will use your data

Your responses will be collected and stored in accordance with our privacy policies:

  • Jobs and skills exchange privacy policy

  • Careers Victoria privacy policy

  • as required to manage your application in the pool.

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we value cultural safety by creating environments, relationships and systems free from racism and discrimination so that people can feel safe, valued and able to participate. We focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.