POSITION DESCRIPTION – COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

  1. ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses is the professional body for mental health nurses across Australia. It is governed by a Board of Directors and has its national office in Canberra.

  1. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Key Internal and External Relationships:

The ACMHN Communications/Publications Officerwill reportdirectly to the Chief Executive Officer.

The Communications/Publications Officerwill also work closely with other key managers, administrative and project management staff.

  1. PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The position of Communications/Publications Officer of the College will support the communication and publication functions for the College, Chief Executive Officer, the ACMHN Board and other key management, administrative and project management staff.

  1. POSITION REQUIREMENTS (Accountabilities, Responsibilities & Duties):

Functional / Operational:

Working in close collaboration with the CEO the Communications/Publications Officer will be responsible for the following:

  1. Develop, implement and evaluate communication strategies and plans in line with corporate direction and priorities
  2. Produce publications including the quarterly news magazine, weekly eNewsletter, monthly CEO Updates, bi-monthly publications and any other required publications
  3. Develop and maintain the Colleges’ social media presence
  4. Draft, maintain and upload website content
  5. Maintain effective relationships with relevant stakeholders to promote the College’s activities
  6. Produce brochures, flyers, articles and other material for the organisation and upload and release where appropriate
  7. Proactively identifymedia opportunities and develop a media profile (including development of media releases); media monitoring

General Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Participate in quality improvement activities and provide a high level customer service to internal and external stakeholders;
  • Observe ACMHN’s policies and procedures;
  • Maintain strict confidentiality in relation to all workplace and ACMHN matters;
  • Use ACMHN resources efficiently, minimising cost and wastage, and ensure waste products are disposed of in line with waste management guidelines.
  • Report any risk identified (e.g.: OHS, Clinical, Financial, Technology, Public Image) to the CEO and participate in risk management activities;
  • Reinforce and promote the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and diversity in the workplace by ensuring that all employees and stakeholders are treated with dignity and respect;
  • Co-operate with other staff members to ensure that duty requirements and standards are being met and maintained;
  • Perform other tasks commensurate with skills, knowledge and experience.
  1. QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

Skills and experience required:

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications in communication, journalism or related discipline and minimum of five years’ work experience
  • Excellent writing skills including experience in writing media releases, newsletters, magazines, brochures and publications
  • Experience writing for all social media platforms, twitter/ Facebook/ LinkedIn to drive campaigns and to build a network of followers
  • Ability to work across a complex matrix of stakeholder groups and able to exercise sound political judgement and influence in situations that have major impacts
  • A result oriented self-starter with creativity, lots of initiative, sound judgement and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills including ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds; a level of maturity and confidence; discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential matters
  • High level attention to detail and evidence of a superior work ethic
  • Ability to liaise with external suppliers and contractors such as printers, graphic designers and communication counterparts within other organisations in the sector
  • Able to undertake some interstate travel

Desirable

  • Understanding of the nursing/mental health sector
  • Previous experience with a membership organisation
  • Previous experience in developing and implementing campaign strategies
  1. ACMHN – Core Capabilities - What we look for in our staff

Skills, Knowledge, Experience, Qualifications

Effective interpersonal skills to support effective management of member and stakeholder relationships and expectations

Ability to engage effectively with other staff

Sound oral and written communication

Conflict resolution and negotiation skills

People Management and Team Contribution

Models commitment to agreed priorities and decisions

Ability to work within a team environment

Shows initiative

Respectful of others and gains respect from others

Models and encourages participative management styles

Readily shares information

Actively provides constructive feedback and encourages two-way feedback

Actively coaches and supports others

Values difference

Attributes

Self-motivated and displays initiative

Loyalty and commitment to the role and purpose of the ACMHN

Thought leadership and influencing skills

Client orientation

Responsiveness

Flexibility and adaptability

Personal accountability

Lateral thinking

Resilience

Ability to handle pressure

A predisposition to learning

Patience and emotional control

Models work life balance

Behaves ethically and models ethical behaviour

Knowledge of the Mental Health Sector

Knowledge of principal stakeholders, policies, initiatives and programs

Political sensitivity when dealing with ACMHN stakeholders in the Sector