Gowrie SA

43 Dew Street Thebarton SA 5031

Phone: (08) 8234 5219 Fax: (08) 8215 6644

Email:

COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

INCLUSION AGENCY

The Inclusion Support Program (ISP) is funded by the Australian Government and has dual objectives to:

a. Support Eligible ECCC Services to improve their capacity and capability to provide inclusive practices; and address participation barriers. This support should allow eligible ECCC services to include children with additional needs in mainstream services alongside their typically developing peers.

b. Provide parents and carers of children with additional needs with access to appropriate ECCC services that assist those parents and carers to participate in the workforce.

Summary of the Position and its Responsibilities
The Communications & Engagement Specialist is to research, identify and engage with ECCC services in South Australia that are currently not accessing the Inclusion Agency in South Australia.
This role will work closely with the Program Leader and Team Leaders to communicate and promote the Inclusion Agency's involvement in supporting eligible services to improve their capacity and capabilities to provide inclusive practices with children.This role will work closely with non-engaged ECCC’s to build awareness of the Inclusion Support Programs and the benefits of achieving an ‘Inclusion Ready Certification’ allowing services to gain access to funding and support their inclusive practices quicker when the need arises.
This position is provided through funding from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training for the 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2019. Should funding be withdrawn or varied, this contract position will become void or altered.
Special Conditions
  • Some out of hours work may be required
  • Attendance at monthly Gowrie SA after-hours organisation-wide staff meetings is a requirement
  • Attendance at other relevant meetings is a requirement
  • Salary: $31-35 per hour, working 36-38 hours per week, depending on qualifications, skills and experience
The salary is non-Award. Where the Contract and Gowrie SA policies and procedures are silent, conditions may align with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
Statement of Key Responsibilities
This role includes working with the Program Leader and Team Leaders to promote the Inclusion Agency’s involvement in supporting ECCC’s to improve their capacity and capabilities to provide inclusive practices to ECCC services and children.
The Communications & Engagement Specialist will:
  • Provide fast, responsive communication ideas and materials to promote the role of the Inclusion Agency
  • Utilise appropriate social media tools to promote communications and engagement
  • Make contact with non-engaged ECCC services to build awareness of the Inclusion Support Program
  • Promote and prepare non-engaged ECCC services to be Inclusion ready
  • Research and identify eligible services and the decision makers within the service
  • Build and maintain professional partnerships with stakeholders, services, service leaders and educators
  • Creatively build ISP awareness thus reducing any resistance by services to accessing the ISP
  • Report on progress on a regular basis
  • Ensure data is entered accurately within the IA CRM
  • Work closely with Inclusion Professionals to ensure a smooth transition from non-engaged to an engaged ECCC service
  • Ensure non-engaged services are contacted regularly and followed up within a minimum of 48 hours (2 business days) should they require further information or contact
  • Ability to engage in public speaking in a variety of forums (for example InterestHubs)
  • Act in a professional manner as an advocate and represent the organisation and the Inclusion Agency conveying the value of the ISP and broader inclusion principles in a positive and proactive communications approach
  • Develop and maintain effective links within the education and care sector and with eligible services
  • Demonstrate commitment to ongoing learning
  • Demonstrate strong commitment to social justice
  • Prepare reports, strategic documents and materials as required
  • Comply with Gowrie SA and Government branding requirements
  • Analysis of current practices and generation of creative ways to improve service provision
  • Any other duties as identified by the Program Leader or CEO
The Communications & Engagement Specialist will work in partnership with the Inclusion Agency Program Leader and Team Leaders to regularly communicate and liaise with the ECCC sector.
The Communications & Engagement Specialistreports to the Inclusion Agency Program Leader and through the Program Leader to the CEO, Gowrie SA.
Person Specification: Educational/Vocational Qualifications
• Qualifications in Communications, journalism and/or PR or equivalent
• Experience in a context related to disability and/or health communications and engagement
Person Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
•Effective and professional written/verbal communication
•Ability to work collaboratively and to negotiate problem solving approaches
•Ability to work autonomously and demonstrate initiative
•Ability to build a professional rapport, network
•Ability to prospect, market research and identify services’ needs
•Strong analytical and facilitation skills to maximise opportunities to support engagement
•Ability to produce creative ideas and materials in a short timeframe
•Ability to determine priorities, and achieve identified outcomes within timelines
•Commitment to Gowrie SA vision, values and philosophy
•Strong commitment to social justice
•Exhibiting a positive, ‘can do’ attitude
•Ability to influence
•Ability to engage in online social media forums to promote the work of the Inclusion Agency in a dynamic and responsive way
  • Computer literacy, including knowledge of Microsoft Office

Experience
•Previous experience working in a communications, engagement, and/orPR or Business Development role
Knowledge
•Knowledge of inclusion principles and practices
•Knowledge of a variety of current presentation tools
•Knowledge of the National Quality Framework, National Quality Standard and the Learning Frameworks (EYLF & MTOP)
•Knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety principles and practices
•Knowledge of Discrimination Laws
Special Conditions
The Communications & Engagement Specialistmay be required to undertake field work.
•A current driver license and the use of own vehicle may be required. Approved travel costs will be reimbursed.
•A DCSI child related employment screening will be required prior to the commencement of employment
•A statement of ‘no adverse effects’ will be required and updated regularly
•A mobile phone (for emergency contact purposes) is required

On Employment:

Approval by CEO

Name:

Signature: Date

Acknowledged by Employee

Name:

Signature: Date

H:\HR\Position Descriptions\ISP\Engagement Consultant PD, 25102017 FINAL.docx