Communications and Sector Engagement Officer

ACT Council Of Social Service (ACTCOSS); Canberra; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work hours

Diversity & inclusion

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) seeks a Communications and Sector Engagement Officer to support ACTCOSS’s communications, member engagement, events and training activities.

The position prepares, coordinates and distributes ACTCOSS communications across newsletters, email communications, the ACTCOSS website and social media platforms, and supports policy and sector development communications with engagement across members and external audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience drafting clear, engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Experience coordinating events, meetings or training activities.
• Experience using digital tools including email marketing platforms, websites, CRM and social media.
• Experience using Canva or similar design tools.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, edit and distribute ACTCOSS newsletters and member communications.
• Draft and schedule content for ACTCOSS social media channels.
• Assist in developing engaging digital content using Canva and similar tools.
• Maintain website content to ensure information is accurate, current and accessible.
• Support the communication of ACTCOSS policy, advocacy and sector development work to members and external audiences.
• Monitor communication channels and identify opportunities to strengthen member engagement and audience reach.
• Coordinate the planning and delivery of ACTCOSS training, workshops, forums, meetings and sector events.
• Manage event logistics, including registrations, venues, online platforms, accessibility requirements, speaker liaison and event materials.
• Work collaboratively with presenters, members and stakeholders to ensure events are delivered professionally and effectively.
• Support the promotion and evaluation of events and training activities.
• Support engagement with ACTCOSS members, sector representatives and stakeholders through meetings, forums and consultation activities.
• Respond to enquiries and support member communications and information sharing.
• Maintain accurate stakeholder information in relevant databases and systems.
• Contribute to organisational projects and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with staff across ACTCOSS to ensure consistent messaging and effective delivery of activities.

Skills

Communication

Event coordination

Digital communications

Canva

CRM

Social media management

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Social justice advocacy

Tools

Canva

CRM platforms

Email marketing tools

Website CMS

Social media platforms

Job description

The ACT Council of Social Service is the peak representative body for the community sector in the ACT, advocating for social justice in our territory and representing not-for-profit community organisations. We are a not-for-profit peak body, working collaboratively with organisations and individuals to create a collective voice, advocating for positive social change, and justice and self-determination for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our vision is for a thriving ACT, free from exclusion, hardship and poverty.

ACTCOSS is a member of the nationwide COSS network, made up of each state and territory COSS and our national body, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS).

ACTCOSS is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Role

Organisational Context

The ACT Council of Social Service is the peak representative body for the community sector in the ACT, advocating for social justice in our territory and representing not-for-profit community organisations. We are a not-for-profit peak body, working collaboratively with organisations and individuals to create a collective voice, advocating for positive social change, and justice and self-determination for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our vision is for a thriving ACT, free from exclusion, hardship and poverty.

ACTCOSS is a member of the nationwide COSS network, made up of each state and territory COSS and our national body, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS).

ACTCOSS is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

The Communications and Sector Engagement Officer plays a key role in supporting ACTCOSS’s communications, member engagement, events and training activities.

The position is responsible for preparing, coordinating and distributing ACTCOSS communications across a range of channels, including newsletters, email communications, the ACTCOSS website and social media platforms. The role supports the promotion of ACTCOSS policy, advocacy, sector development initiatives, events and organisational activities in ways that are engaging, accessible and aligned with ACTCOSS’s values and priorities.

The position coordinates the planning and delivery of ACTCOSS events, training workshops, forums and meetings, working closely with colleagues, presenters, members and external stakeholders to ensure activities are well organised and professionally delivered. The role also maintains systems that support engagement and participation, including customer relationship management databases and event registration platforms.

This role would suit someone with communications, engagement or events experience who is organised and adaptable. While direct community sector experience is not essential, applicants will demonstrate a genuine commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion, and a desire to support a strong, connected and sustainable community sector.

Benefits of the Position

Whether you are building your career in communications and engagement or bringing experience from another sector, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful social change while developing expertise across communications, member engagement, events and training coordination.

You will work as part of a collaborative team committed to strengthening the ACT community sector and advancing social justice outcomes for people and communities.

ACTCOSS interacts with diverse communities, allowing you to meet and connect with people from different backgrounds and circumstances.

ACTCOSS makes every effort to provide a flexible work environment, allowing substantial employee control of their working hours, among other benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities

Communications and Promotion

• Prepare, edit and distribute ACTCOSS newsletters, member communications and promotional materials.
• Draft and schedule content for ACTCOSS social media channels.
• Assist in developing engaging digital content, including graphics, short videos and other promotional materials using Canva and similar tools.
• Maintain website content to ensure information is accurate, current and accessible.
• Support the communication of ACTCOSS policy, advocacy and sector development work to members and external audiences.
• Monitor communication channels and identify opportunities to strengthen member engagement and audience reach.

Events and Training Coordination

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of ACTCOSS training, workshops, forums, meetings and sector events.
• Manage event logistics, including registrations, venues, online platforms, accessibility requirements, speaker liaison and event materials.
• Work collaboratively with presenters, members and stakeholders to ensure events are delivered professionally and effectively.
• Support the promotion and evaluation of events and training activities.

Sector and Member Engagement

• Support engagement with ACTCOSS members, sector representatives and stakeholders through meetings, forums and consultation activities.
• Respond to enquiries and support member communications and information sharing.
• Maintain accurate stakeholder information in relevant databases and systems.

Organisational Support

• Contribute to organisational projects and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with staff across ACTCOSS to ensure consistent messaging and effective delivery of activities.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the classification of the position.

Selection Criteria

Applicants must respond to all essential criteria set out in this section. If you have additional skills or qualifications listed as “highly regarded,” please respond to these as well.

Essential

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate and engaging content for different audiences.
• Experience coordinating events, meetings, training activities or similar projects.
• Experience using, or the ability to quickly learn, digital communication tools including email marketing platforms, websites, customer relationship management systems and social media platforms.
• Experience using Canva or similar design tools to create professional communications materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, members and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion, and the ability to work in a manner consistent with ACTCOSS’s vision, purpose and values.

Highly regarded

• Qualifications or experience in communications, marketing, community engagement, events management or a related field.
• Experience gained in the community, government, education or private sectors that demonstrates transferable communications, engagement or stakeholder relationship skills.
• Experience creating digital content, including social media campaigns, photography, video or graphic design.
• Understanding of, or interest in learning about, social policy issues and the role of community organisations and peak bodies.