The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of Victorians into the future. We also lead the Victorian Government's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Working with our partners, we oversee Victoria's health system including mental health, ageing and aged care and preventive health. We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. All jobs can be worked flexibly and we encourage job applications from Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services.

Application Closes: 25 May 2022

Role: Senior Media Advisor (12 Months)

Number of vacancies available: 1 

Office Location(s): 50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the COVID Media Lead, the Senior Media Adviser will deliver communications and media advice to stakeholders across the department and to Ministerial offices. They will contribute to the development and implementation of innovative and comprehensive communications and media strategies for major policies and projects, and the evaluation of these strategies.

Working within a small portfolio-based team, the incumbent will collaborate with teams across the branch to create compelling media materials for a range of purposes and audiences, including media releases, media responses, Q&As, issues strategies and briefings. They will also contribute to wider communications materials including fact sheets, newsletters, online and social media content, and communications campaigns.

The incumbent will work closely with branch colleagues, the Ministerial offices, department executives and relevant business areas within the department to ensure that communication with stakeholders is clear, engaging, and timely, and is clearly aligned to the department's strategic narrative and plan.

Responsibilities:

• Provide media relations advice, direction, and outcomes to a portfolio of internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop, deliver, and evaluate proactive media strategies that align with the Department's strategic narrative and operational plan.
• Develop and deliver or oversee production of relevant materials to support departmental and ministerial media announcements and events.
• Identify positive story opportunities across traditional media and digital media platforms, identifying risks and issues that may be contentious and providing authoritative and expert advice on how to manage them.
• Identify emerging issues and develop targeted and innovative media strategies to manage associated risks, working in close collaboration with portfolio experts.
• Initiate and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and seek opportunities to engage stakeholders in the development and application of new ways of working. Use effective negotiation and influence to achieve outcomes.
• Provide communications advice and work collaboratively across the department to ensure the delivery of effective communications that are of a high written and visual standard and comply with departmental and whole-of-Victorian Government guidelines.
• Keep accurate and complete records of your work activities in accordance with legislative requirements and the department's records, information security and privacy policies and requirements.
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for that of others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and the department's occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate how the actions and outcomes of this role and work unit impact clients and the department's ability to deliver, or facilitate the delivery of, effective support and services.

Mandatory Vaccination Policy

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its workers and clients.  As it is an essential element of any role within the department that employees be able to attend work onsite and to do so safely, employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of their employment.  This requirement applies unless they have a medical condition which means they cannot be vaccinated against COVID -19.  Therefore, the department will ask any prospective employee, who has been identified as the preferred candidate for a role within the department, to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status prior to any offer of employment being made.  If a prospective employee has a relevant medical condition which means they cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19, they should contact the department to discuss their individual circumstances.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants are encouraged to apply online, submitting a cover letter and a current resume.

The Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) Recruitment Policy allows for priority consideration for Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.

As such, these employees are strongly encouraged to submit their application through https://www.vic.gov.au/jobs-and-skills-exchange rather than via external advertisement.

For this position, you are not required to address each of the key selection criteria in a separate written document.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including national police check and misconduct screening.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.

For further information please visit the Department of Health <https://www.vic.gov.au/department-health>

Click 'Apply Now' to submit your interest in this position.