Communications & Advocacy Officer

Position Details

• Part time (3 days per week - 0.6 FTE)
• 12 month contract with possibility to extend
• Classification: SCHADS Level 3.2-3.4 (pro rata) + Salary Packaging + Superannuation
• Northern Beaches, Sydney NSW

About Women & Children First

Women & Children First (WACF) is a community-based organisation providing crisis accommodation and wraparound care for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and abuse as well as parenting and relationship education and prevention programs.

Our two women and children’s refuges and specialist support services are based on Sydney's Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore.

Our programs prioritise:

• Safety - Providing immediate and ongoing safety through crisis housing and trauma-informed case management and wraparound care.
• Empowerment - Empowering survivors to heal and rebuild through psycho-education programs on healthy relationships, parenting, and wellbeing.
• Prevention - Advocating for change and breaking the cycle of abuse through community and political engagement and education.

About the role

Reporting directly to the Head of Fundraising & Communications but working closely with the CEO, this newly created role has been designed to support and promote our mission, programs and services through community engagement, media and other relevant platforms.

As the Communications & Advocacy Officer, you will play an important role in creating strong relationships with key stakeholders in the community and leverage these relationships to drive awareness of our crisis response, education, prevention and advocacy work.

To be considered for the position you must demonstrate that you:

• Have strong personal accountability and drive and enjoy working autonomously and taking the initiative to deliver.
• Can be flexible and respond quickly in the face of changing situations and priorities.
• Have proven experience managing multiple tasks effectively, efficiently, and independently.
• Are passionate about communications, content creation and relationship building.
• Are professional but also personable, adept at building rapport, and highly articulate in written and verbal communication, able to communicate messages to diverse audiences in the public, across the allied sector, politicians and the media.
• Are driven by purpose and a desire to create a positive impact in the community.

Benefits of working at WACF:

• Inclusive culture, healthy work-life balance and flexibility to work from home.
• Safe, supportive, and strengths-based work environment.
• NFP Salary packaging benefits.
• Access to learning and development opportunities.
• Additional wellbeing leave and a leave day to celebrate your birthday.
• Social events and regular team connection time.
• An engaged team of peers with mission passion.
• Employee assistance program.

The Communications & Advocacy Officer will be responsible for:

Stakeholder Liaison and Community Outreach:

• Establish and maintain relationships with existing and new stakeholders including hospitals, schools, allied services, GPs, local businesses, local politicians and sector agencies.
• Introduce our services and programs to the community and promote education, awareness, and engagement opportunities.

Event Promotion and Audience Engagement:

• Promote all educational and awareness events effectively to ensure maximum participation and engagement.
• Engage with the audience before, during, and after events to enhance their experience and gather feedback to inform future events.

Content Creation and Social Media Engagement:

• Contribute to social media content creation and engagement strategies as part of the Communications team using all active social media channels including LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
• Support the service delivery team to promote groups and programs.

Press Releases and Reaction Statements:

• Draft press releases and reaction statements in response to sector updates, keeping abreast of developments in relevant areas.
• Monitor and analyse news and policy changes to ensure timely and appropriate responses.

Position Statements and Advocacy:

• Develop position statements on key issues and advocate for our goals and values.
• Support advocacy efforts and assist in advancing our agenda through strategic communication.

Administrative Support and Representation:

• Provide support during internal and external meetings, including notetaking, follow-up actions, and preparation.
• Represent the organisation at speaking engagements and events when necessary.

Podcast Production:

• Support with the production of podcasts, from conceptualisation to distribution.

Skills and experience:

• 3+ years’ experience in a communications, community engagement or advocacy role.
• Tertiary qualifications and/or experience in communications, marketing, PR.
• Knowledge and experience in digital marketing.
• Experience using design tools such as Canva as well as marketing automation tools such as Campaign Monitor.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to craft compelling press releases, statements, and social media content.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, including the ability to make cold calls and pitches, engaging new audiences with our mission.
• Excellent analytical, research and writing skills, with the ability to interpret, synthesise and communicate information in a compelling and succinct form.
• Working knowledge of customer relationship management (CRM) databases.

Other requirements for this role:

• Must live in or be able to easily travel to the Northern Beaches.
• Current driver's license.
• Current Working with Children Check and National Police check.

How to apply:

• If your skills meet the requirements of the role please click Apply Now to submit your CV and cover letter.
• Your cover letter must include your relevant experience, and why you want to work at WACF. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• To apply you must have permission to reside and work in Australia.
• Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• No Deadline - please apply as soon as possible.