Communication Consultant

Role Summary

The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to develop, implement and manage Victorian Pride Centre’s external communication to effectively position the VPC with its communities and stakeholders within VPC’s strategic, policy and planning framework.

The role will be responsible for advising the VPC Communication Working Group on the positioning and maintenance of VPC’s profile within the LGBTI community, government and the broader community. This will include:

1. Managing communication activities and related day to day operations;
2. Managing VPC’s website and social media presence;
3. Researching, writing, rewriting and editing content to support communications activities including the proposed Victorian Virtual Pride Centre
4. Monitoring and contributing to the management of relationships with stakeholders and media;
5. Working closely with the Communication Working Group to define, develop, and project manage the proposed Victorian Virtual Pride Centre;
6. Work closely with the VPC’s Communication Working Group to implement VPC’s Communication strategy; and
7. Organising VPC events.

In addition, from time to time, as the VPC is in its early stages, the Consultant may be asked to support other related activities.

The Consultant will be responsible for implementing the Communication Strategy within the context of the Community Engagement Policy and other VPC policies.

Purpose and Vision

The Victorian Pride Centre aims to be the most loved, well known and visited home for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community in Australia.

The Victorian Pride Centre has four strategic goals: building a Pride Centre that is sustainable; building a home for major LGBTI organisations that is also accessible to other LGBTI community groups; building a hub that is a catalyst to promote cultural activities and LGBTI organisations; and, connecting individuals across Victoria and beyond through the proposed Victorian Virtual Pride Centre.

Design of the centre, which will be located in Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda is progressing well. Alongside the planning for and building of the Centre, community engagement, marketing and social media needs are growing significantly.

Organisational Relationships

The Communication Officer will report to the chair of the Communication Working Group. In future the position will report to the VPC CEO when that position is established.

Other key internal relationships are with the volunteer members of the Communication Working Group, the Chair of the Board, and the VPC Coordinator (to be appointed).

Key Responsibilities

1. Communication and resources activities

a. Identify, generate and respond to opportunities and public debate in multiple media platforms, including print, broadcast, digital and social media;
b. Maintain VPC’s record of general and specific key messages;
c. Assist the Chair of the VPC Board, the Chair of the Communication Working Group and others as required in their communication with external stakeholders;
d. Develop, produce and distribute information resources as needed;
e. Coordinate the production of organisational documents such as the Annual Report and regular communiqués and newsletters in soft and hard copy form as required.

2. Digital and online communication

a. Monitor, manage and develop content for VPC’s website and social media presence;
b. Drive innovative approaches to online services;
c. Ensure that digital and online activities are aligned to VPC’s communication strategy.

3. Stakeholder and media management

a. Monitor and contribute to the management of relationships with stakeholders, including the LGBTI community, LGBTI community organisations, government, media and the broader community;
b. Manage relationships with, and contributions to print, broadcast, digital and social media.

4. Victorian Virtual Pride Centre

a. Work closely with the Communication Working Group to plan, develop, implement and maintain the proposed Victorian Virtual Pride Centre;
b. Develop and deploy an effective project management approach including identification and management of scope, detailed requirements, schedule, cost and stakeholders.
c. Research, write and maintain the content for the Victorian Virtual Pride Centre;
d. Assist the Chair of the Communication Working Group to manage the funding relationship with the Department of Health and Human Services including preparing plans and reports and monitoring expenditure.

5. Promotion and events

a. Coordinate VPC events (such as community consultations and information sessions) including promotion, invitations and RSVPs, venue, catering and other related tasks.

6. Reporting

a. Work closely with the VPC’s Communication Working Group to implement VPC’s Communication strategy within the context of the Community Engagement Policy;
b. Submit regular progress reports on communication activities within the officer’s responsibility; and
c. Report verbally and in writing to the Chair of the Communication Working Group as required.

Key selection criteria

Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience and demonstrated high level achievement in a communication and public relations.

• Demonstrated successful management of complex and substantial digital and online projects to a value of $100,000 using accepted project management methodology.

• Experience planning and implementation of contemporary websites.

Knowledge

• Excellent working knowledge of contemporary communication practices, particularly in online and digital environments.

• Excellent knowledge of the LGBTI community including its various constituencies, organisations, cultures, networks and challenges.

Skills

• Highly developed written and oral communication skills including the capacity to write for a variety of audiences and across a range of online and offline communication platforms.

• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build networks and work collaboratively with a wide variety of LGBTI community members and other stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex and sometimes sensitive messages to a variety of audiences using a wide variety of media.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and ability to work successfully in a politicised environment.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively, including identifying and opportunities and implementing solutions.

• Strong negotiation and time management skills, with the capacity to respond flexibly within appropriate timeframes and to manage multiple projects and demands.

• High level attention to detail and accuracy and effective implementation.

• Ability to work cooperatively and flexibly to meet organisational goals.

Qualifications

Relevant tertiary qualifications in communication, public relations and/or media or a related area.