SYN Media Position description

POSITION TITLE National Project TERMS OF 12 months limited term, part-time (30 Coordinator EMPLOYMENT hours per week) REPORTS TO General Manager SALARY $37,000 pro rata plus statutory superannuation WORK LOCATION 16 Cardigan St, Carlton APPLICATION Apply by email to Tess Lawley, VIC 3053 DETAILS gm@.org.au addressing key selection CLOSING DATE Friday 19th of February, criteria (SEE PAGE 3 AND 4). 5pm NOTE SYN has an exemption from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to allow discrimination on the basis of age (exemption no. A98/2012). SYN has a preference for candidates under 26 years of age. (NB. Candidates over 26 are still encouraged to apply.)

1. ABOUT SYN SYN is a media organisation run by a community of young people that provide broadcasting and training opportunities for young Australians. SYN informs, empowers and entertains young people by providing facilities and training that allows them to gain access and practical industry experience in all facets of the media, as detailed in the organisation’s 2014-16 Strategic Plan. Outside of its staff, SYN relies on the strength of its volunteer base to maintain its extensive operations. All volunteers are under the age of 26. SYN’s current operations include:

SYN Radio: 90.7FM and SYN Nation (digital) SYN operates a full-time community broadcasting license and can be heard throughout , and in parts of regional Victoria. Both stations stream live from our website. SYN’s radio content is as diverse as its volunteers, and is rotated five times a year. SYN's radio audience is approximately 80,000 listeners a week.

Media Learning SYN Media Learning provides media education experiences for young Australians and those who work with young Australians. Media Learning is SYN’s core business, offering media training to young people in Melbourne through hands-on radio and new media workshops. Each year SYN works with more than 100 secondary schools and other groups to offer training through innovative peer-to-peer programs. SYN radio has an extensive schools program with over 20 schools presenting radio programs each term.

SYN Television SYN is currently responsible for producing five hours of live youth television each week for Channel 31 Melbourne, with more on the way. Up to 15,600 people watch SYN’s flagship TV production, 1700, each weeknight on C31.

Production Services SYN Production Services provides organisations with fee-for-service screen and sound productions that draw on, expand and recognise the talent of SYN’s young media-makers.

SYN Online SYN manages syn.org.au, an interactive online community for people under the age of 26 to exhibit, distribute and share their content. SYN Online features a live radio stream of SYN radio, podcasts, videos and blogs.

1 2. BACKGROUND: the SYN Nation Project

SYN is currently delivering a ground breaking initiative to establish a nation-wide media service delivered entirely by young people from across Australia. In April 2014, SYN launched the digital radio station SYN Nation, 11 years after commencing broadcasting on 90.7 fm.

Since its launch, SYN has utilised SYN Nation and syn.org.au to empower young people in regional areas of Australia to be creators and not just consumers of media through the establishment of ‘Media Hubs’ in Gippsland, , , , Byron Bay, Fitzroy Crossing, Fremantle and Mandurah.

In partnership with local community broadcasters and youth organisations, SYN has worked closely with over 80 young people from non-metropolitan areas and seen impressive results. Young people who engage with SYN Nation experience improved confidence, social skills and employability, and actively contribute to their local communities.

In 2016, the SYN Nation Project will be focussed strengthening our partnerships, particularly in Western Australia, and deepening our engagement to support even more young people to produce the media that’s important to them.

3. JOB SPECIFICATION PRIMARY FOCUS

The National Project Coordinator is a limited term, 12 month position overseeing the SYN Nation project, including facilitating training and supporting non-metropolitan volunteers to operate their Media Hub and actively engage in the SYN community. The position is likely to continue beyond 12 months, subject to grant funding. The National Project Coordinator works closely with SYN’s General Manager, staff and volunteers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  Support the development of 7 self-sustaining non-metropolitan Media Hubs;  Coordinate 4 workshops per year on innovative models for youth radio and current sector needs;  Maintaining regular contact and working with partnered community radio stations, community broadcasting mentors, the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Digital Radio Project and other project partners throughout the project;  Provide support and advice to community radio stations and other organisations on engaging young people in community broadcasting;  Work with SYN’s volunteer Radio Department and Content Development Coordinator to support the effective collection of content from non-metro Media Hubs;  Support the General Manager to establish and maintain strong systems for the future success of SYN’s national expansion.

RESPONSIBILITIES shared with all SYN staff  Adhere to SYN’s values of Access, Independence, Participation, Diversity and Innovation;

 Maintain a high standard of work practices and ensure integrity, respect and confidentiality while carrying out core tasks;  Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers to achieve the organisation’s objectives.

2 4. PERSON SPECIFICATION

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES You are passionate about media and the potential for young people to reach an audience through community broadcasting. You have strong interpersonal skills and are capable of motivating and inspiring others. You take initiative, work well under pressure and can work both unsupervised and in a team environment. You pay close attention to detail, are highly organised, creative and driven.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Skills, Knowledge, Qualities, Experience Required  Strong understanding of the community broadcasting sector and established community digital radio activities;  Experience coordinating projects within a designated timeframe, with specific deliverables and multiple stakeholders across diverse geographic locations;  Proven track record in producing multiplatform content, including radio, screen-based, digital and social media, and capacity to work with a range of online-based tools;  Experience working with broadcasters and producers of varying skill levels and/or experience delivering training or skill development workshops in the community broadcasting sector;  Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive working relationships with young people and project stakeholders;  Self-motivation and a strong ability to take initiative, with the capacity to work both unsupervised and within a team;  Advanced organisation and multi-tasking skills, problem solving ability and strong attention to detail;  Working with Children Check or ability to attain one.

Desirable  Experience volunteering or working at community radio stations other than SYN  An understanding of and established networks within the community broadcasting sector and/or the broader youth, media or arts sectors  Understanding of feedback and evaluation methods  Experience in coordinating events, marketing and promotion

5. APPLICATION PROCESS

Your application must include:

1) A brief covering letter; 2) Statement of your experience against each of the selection criteria (max. 300 words per criteria, please use template provided below) 3) CV including two referees with contact details (maximum 3 pages)

Your application must be saved as one file (Word or PDF) with your full name as the file name.

Apply by email: [email protected]. Applications close at 5pm, Friday 19th of February, 2016.

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Please note that interviews for the position will take place on Wednesday 24th of February and the successful applicant will be required to start on Tuesday 1st of March, 2016.

For more information on this position, email [email protected] or call 03 9925 4747.

Key selection criteria Statement of experience (no more than 300 words per criteria) Strong understanding of the community broadcasting sector and established community digital radio activities

Experience coordinating projects within a designated timeframe, with specific deliverables and multiple stakeholders across diverse geographic locations Proven track record in producing multiplatform content, including radio, screen-based, digital and social media, and capacity to work with a range of online-based tools Experience working with broadcasters and producers of varying skill levels and/or experience delivering training or skill development workshops in the community broadcasting sector Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive working relationships with young people and project stakeholders Self-motivation and a strong ability to take initiative, with the capacity to work both unsupervised and within a team Advanced organisation and multi- tasking skills, problem solving ability and strong attention to detail Working with Children Check or ability to attain one

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