Communications Officer

Communications Officer

Project Platypus

Preserving our Land.  Protecting our Wildlife

Position:             Communications Officer

Reports to:         Project Platypus Manager

Location:             Project Platypus Office, 9 Ormston Rd, Stawell, 3380. 

Flexible location may be considered

Duration:            Two-year contract

Salary range:     $45,000 – 50,000, 0.6 FTE (includes Superannuation)

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled communicator with 4 or more years’ experience in communications and content development roles, particularly with a philanthropic focus, to join a leading Victorian Landcare Network at a very exciting time.  Project Platypus (PP) is embarking on a journey of growth, as we scale-up our efforts to re-connect habitat, defend against invasive species and support sustainable agriculture between Grampians/Gariwerd and the Pyrenees.  We have a large task ahead of us and a priority of this position is to use your communication skills to tell our story in support of our philanthropy efforts.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

As the Communications Officer, you will

• provide communications and management support, in collaboration with the Board, staff and volunteers to build long-term philanthropic partnerships between PP & prospective major donors and to secure major gifts to PP.
• use your passion for storytelling about the important work of Project Platypus to engage our supporters in Landcare, our brand and campaigns and opportunities to donate, through developing a new web site, creative content for philanthropy, social media, email, direct mail and other publications
• use strategic communications, networking, and marketing to increase engagement with PP – our purpose, priorities, build our brand and culture of philanthropy
• have a track record of writing and creating content that has an impact and in doing so, contributes to campaign and fundraising success.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a Communications Plan for Project Platypus in collaboration with relevant Board members, which tells the story of our work on revegetation, invasive species and community engagement in Landcare, ensuring the plan has a strong focus on supporting the Board’s work on philanthropy and major gifts
• Work both independently and within the Project Platypus team to execute the strategy and meet its goals
• Re-develop and maintain the PP website and social media platforms, working closely with staff and Board to source and update content
• Work with the Project Platypus Board and staff to build and support the culture of philanthropy and to design supporter journeys, including donor events, that educate, deepen engagement and inspire people into action, with priority focus on major gifts
• Create communications and marketing materials necessary to support the fundraising plan, including routine and regular communications to new and existing donors
• Produce high quality creative campaigns and brand collateral including written, digital, video, audio and print content deliverables for both digital and print publications, social and traditional media
• Build the capacity of the organisation to develop effective content, impactful copywriting, photography and video shooting and editing by mentoring key staff & Board members.
• Oversee the donor database and general mailing list, their development and functionality to support the donor journey
• Ensure that donor documentation & recognition is undertaken is current and accurate as per the Project Platypus Fundraising Policy
• Support and mentor other staff and/or volunteers in philanthropy and communications as required.
• Apply best practice legislative and regulatory requirements across all areas of responsibility

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• At least four years professional experience working in a communications and engagement role, preferably in an NGO
• Sound understanding of philanthropy and major gifts, preferably in an environmental NGO
• Sound skills in developing communications for fundraising, building awareness, and writing story-driven content about complex environmental issues in an engaging way.
• Demonstrated experience of driving the end-to-end creation of quality content that speaks to diverse audiences across a range of platforms.
• Knowledge in the strategic uses and administration of social media channels (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and their role in the supporter/donor journey to help increase issue awareness and advocacy goals.
• Ability to thrive in a resource constrained, time pressured environment, working to deadlines.
• Is a team player who is always endeavouring to be a positive force within an inclusive workplace environment and who takes the initiative going above and beyond to get the job done.
• Bachelor’s degree in strategic communications or marketing or equivalent.
• Excellent people, communication, and project management skills. A strong communicator, who is creative, curious, and capable of coordinating multiple time sensitive campaigns.
• Experience in graphic design, publishing packages, data management, digital and traditional media and website design and management.

Desirable

• Detailed understanding of environment, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture

• Passionate about growing and strengthening a movement of people to protect biodiversity and support sustainable agriculture.

ABOUT PROJECT PLATYPUS

Established in 1994, Project Platypus is well known and respected for its environmental work in the Upper Wimmera catchment – between Grampians/Gariwerd and the Pyrenees.   Project Platypus’ environmental focus is habitat restoration.

As part of the Victorian Landcare network, Project Platypus supports and facilitates the eleven Landcare groups and maintains strong linkages and relationships with stakeholders and like-minded organisations.

Our main activities include revegetation works including vegetation corridors linking remnant areas of native bush, invasive and pest plant and animal control, Landcare facilitation and management of projects on behalf of member Landcare groups.

Project Platypus is not-for-profit, with a volunteer Board of representatives of member Landcare Groups, managed by a small team of staff based in Stawell, Victoria. A key focus of the Board is to ensure the financial viability of the organization through fundraising. Funding comes from fee for service work, grants and donations.

MORE INFORMATION

Contact Noelene Gration, Board member 0408 218 954

APPLICATIONS

Please send your application, along with the names of two referees to Allistair Stephens Manager Project Platypus, manager@platypus.org.au or PO Box 838 Stawell 3380 by close of business Friday 24^th June.