Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications

Position description

Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications The Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications will lead and manage the writing, editing and publishing processes for the Agency’s publications and communications products (print and online) to provide accessible, clear, timely and high quality health information to clinicians, health services and the Victorian community.

Are you  An experienced writer and editor looking to use your technical, creative and communications skills to lead publishing for a newly established and rapidly expanding Agency?  Able to translate complex and technical information into clear and accessible content for a range of audiences and applied across a range of channels.  Experienced in applying your writing and editing skills to the online environment, including web and social media?

Title Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications Classification VPS 5 Group/ Unit Strategy, Planning and Communications Work location 50 Lonsdale Street, MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Position number DHS/VAHI/XXXXXX Employment type Ongoing. Full-time (76 hours per fortnight) Salary Range Value range 1: $92,253 - $101,935 plus superannuation Value range 2: $101,937 - $111,619 plus superannuation

Position reports to Manager, Communications and Media Further information Richard Adezio, 03 9096 9298. Closing date 13 August 2017

The Agency The Victorian Agency for Health Information (Agency) is a new agency within the Victorian Government’s health portfolio, which will analyse and share information across our health system to ensure everyone has an accurate picture of where the concerns are and where we are getting it right. Its responsibilities will flow across measurement of patient care and outcomes for three key purposes: public reporting, oversight and clinical improvement.

Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications – July 2017 1 The Agency will:  Collect, analyse and share data so that the community is better informed about health services and health services receive better information about their performance  Ensure that boards, health executives and clinicians get the information they need to best serve their communities and provide better, safer care  Ensure that patients and carers get meaningful and useful information about care in their local community  Improve researcher’s access to data to create evidence that informs the provision of better, safer care. To achieve this, it will be vital that the Agency receive the best quality data from public and private providers of health services. Accordingly, the Agency will play a role in data management, standards and integrity.

Strategy, Planning and Communications Branch The Strategy, Planning and Communications branch provides executive support to the CEO as well as strategic, planning, communications and operational support to the Agency. The branch is responsible for maintaining the entity’s strategy and work plans; good governance, corporate support and legislative compliance; and communications including media engagement.

Organisational environment The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) develops and delivers policies, programs and services that support and enhance the wellbeing of all Victorians. It take a broad view of the causes of ill health, the drivers of good health, the social and economic context in which people live, and of the incidence and experience of vulnerability. DHHS’s vision is to support and enhance the wellbeing of all Victorians. It aspires to be an organisation where everyone is committed to achieving our vision and demonstrates our values in all that they do.  We are respectful  We have integrity  We collaborate  We care for people, families and communities  We are accountable  We are innovative DHHS is building an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of vulnerable Victorians. All jobs can be worked flexibly and we encourage job applications from Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, LGBTI and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Purpose and Accountabilities The Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications will use their well-developed writing, editing, publishing, production management and interpersonal skills to play a central role in the delivery of publications and communications products. The successful candidate will working with the Agency’s managers and staff to prepare and edit content for reports and other publications that

Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications – July 2017 2 increase access to clear, timely and high quality health information for clinicians, health services and the Victorian community.

Accountabilities Operating at value range 1, you will: 1. Manage the publications function for the Agency, including writing and editing of a range publications and communications products in accordance with Victorian Agency for Health Information and Victorian Government style guide. 2. Support the Agency’s communications projects including the provision of specialist expertise and advice in writing, editing and content development (print and online). 3. Work collaboratively with other branches and units in the Agency to ensure the delivery of seamless and professional writing, editing, content and publishing services for all areas of the Agency. 4. Work with Directors, Managers and staff to develop the style, tone and voice of the Agency, and establish processes for effectively communicating those to others is the Agency. 5. Create and maintain the Agency’s style guide, in accordance with Victorian and Australian Government style guides. 6. Drive innovative and continuous improvement to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of content development and refinement – establishing precedents to support consistency and guide future Agency publications and written communications. 7. Develop, maintain and apply procedures and processes to assure the quality and accuracy of publications and communications products produced by the Branch. 8. Oversee outsourcing arrangements, as assigned by the Manager, to support the creation of publications and communications products as required. 9. Seek opportunities to engage stakeholders in the development and application of new and/or contemporary methodologies to improve content and other communications. 10. Support work to produce timely, high quality performance information by: o Managing and be accountable for projects within resourcing, timeline and budget parameters o Providing advice to internal and external stakeholders and prepare and present detailed reports, briefs and papers o Support the Manager, Communications and Media in relation to stakeholder engagement and contract management 11. Support the development and oversight of contracts, as assigned by the Manager, to support the creation of valid and reliable performance information on the safety of care at each health service and campus in the state in ways that support uptake and use of that information to support improvements in care. 12. As a member of the Strategy, Planning and Communiciations Branch: o Contribute to development and implementation of the Agency’s strategy in ways that align with the evolving needs of its audiences, government policy and state-wide priorities o Contribute to the Agency’s annual work plan and implementation of activities in it that are assigned to this branch o Contribute to the Agency’s legislative compliance agenda, and participate in relevant activities assigned to this branch (e.g. privacy and confidentiality of information)

Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications – July 2017 3 o Establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders 13. Make professional presentations and represent the Agency at internal and external meetings, functions, forums and events Operating at value range 2, you will perform all the above together with increasing involvement to: 1. Operate within increased level of autonomy and accountability in delivering within broad strategic directions. 2. Provide professional leadership and guidance. 3. Make decisions that establish precedents. 4. Manage stakeholders through effective negotiation and influence. 5. Manage cross-functional delivery of a defined service with sensitive and complex issues.

Selection criteria

Knowledge and skills 1. Written Communication: Prepares complex briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensures appropriate style and formats are used. 2. Stakeholder management: identifies issues in common for one or more stakeholders and uses to build mutually beneficial partnerships; identifies and responds to stakeholder’s underlying needs; uses understanding of the stakeholder’s organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved; find innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues. 3. Project management: consults, liaises with and influences key stakeholders; produces detailed project plans where objectives are clearly defined and action steps for achieving them are clearly specified; monitors performance against objectives and manages project risks and issues; ensures project objectives are met. 4. Contract management: uses fair, transparent and competitive purchasing processes; establishes clear and comprehensive contracts; establishes and maintains strong working relationships; actively monitors expenditure and risks and resolves problems where these arise. 5. Self-management: invites feedback on own behaviour and impact; uses new knowledge or information about self to build a broader understanding of own behaviour and the impact it has on others; understands strong emotional reactions and seeks ways to more effectively manage them.

Personal qualities 1. Relationship Building - Establishes and maintains relationships with people; promotes harmony and consensus including appropriate handling of disagreements; assists in maintaining partnerships with people across business areas, functions and organisations; builds trust through consistent actions, values and communication; minimises surprises 2. Conceptual and analytical ability: deals with concepts and complexity comfortably; uses analytical and conceptual skills to reason through problems; has creative ideas and can project how these can link to innovations

Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications – July 2017 4 3. Creativity and Innovation: generates new ideas; draws on a range of information sources to identify new ways of doing things; actively influences events and promotes ideas and translates creative ideas into workplace improvements 4. Detail focus: observes fine details; identifies gaps in information; looks for logical sequences of information; highlights practical considerations of plans and activities 5. Reflects on experience and is open to new ways to improve practice 6. Drive and commitment: enthusiastic and committed, demonstrates capacity for sustained effort and hard work; sets high standards of performance for self and others; enjoys a vigorous and dynamic work environment 7. Teamwork - cooperates and works well with others in the pursuit of team goals; collaborates and shares information; shows consideration, concern and respect for others’ feelings and ideas; accommodates and works well with the different working styles of others; encourages resolution of conflict within group.

Safety screening All competitive applicants are subject to a satisfactory National Police History Check as part of the recruitment assessment process. Applicants who have lived overseas for 12 months or longer during the past 10 years are required to provide the results of an international police check. Applicants should contact the relevant overseas police force to obtain this and submit as part of their application. Details of overseas police agencies are available on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website (www.immi.gov.au) and search under 'Character and Police Certificate Requirements – How do I obtain a police certificate?'

Qualifications A tertiary qualification in fields related to communications, marketing, journalism or equivalent experience would be desirable.

Specialist expertise  Experience and demonstrated specialist expertise in writing, editing, content development and publishing to oversee the development of high quality publications and communications products (print and online) that provide accessible, clear, timely and high-quality health information to clinicians, health services and the Victorian community.

Conditions and benefits  People who work for the Agency must comply with the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees 2007 and agree to work according to our values of quality, collaborative relationships, responsibility, client focus, professional integrity and respect.  Employees of the the Agency can enjoy a range of generous Victorian Government employment benefits. These include attractive salaries, flexible leave arrangements and training and development opportunities. Please see www.careers.vic.gov.au/why/benefits- conditions  The Agency promotes diversity and equal opportunity in employment. If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant, or if you have a disability, and require advice and support with the recruitment process, please contact the DHHS Diversity Unit on [email protected].

Senior Communications Lead, Content and Publications – July 2017 5 How and where to apply The Agency prefers job applications submitted electronically to best manage administrative and environmental resources. If you are unable to apply online, please follow the instructions below to submit a paper copy.  Online - existing staff: click through to the job opportunities page from the department's intranet homepage.  Online - external applicants: visit the job search page at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the- department/our-organisation/careers/job-search  Paper copy - all applicants: complete a Hard Copy Application for Employment form available via the links above or the contact for further information noted on page 1 of this document. Paper applications should quote the job reference number on the outside of the envelope and be posted to: Recruitment Officer, Department of Health & Human Services, GPO Box 4057, Melbourne VIC 3001.  If you are unable to apply online or having difficulties accessing the information online, please phone Tom Weatherly, Human Resources Advisor, Phone: 9096 2767, for assistance. Other relevant information For other important information about the recruitment process, please read the department’s Information for applicants page at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/our- organisation/careers/applying-for-a-job/information-for-applicants or request a copy from the contact for further information listed under the ‘Position details’ section of this document.

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