Communications Officer – International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific

Posted: 22/04/2025
Closing date: 05/05/2025
Job type: 2-year fixed term contract with possible extension
Full time / Part time: Full time (37.5 hours per week); part time can be considered for the right candidate
Location: Canberra (remote working arrangements may be considered for the right candidate)
Salary classification: Level 7 (1-4, depending on experience); $114,786 – $124,032 (including up to 17% super)

About the Academy

The Australian Academy of Science is a national learned academy of distinguished Australian scientists, championing science for the benefit of all. The Academy is an independent, non-government, not-for-profit organisation delivering sought after science advice that influences Australia’s actions and contributes to global science.

The Academy strives to advance Australia as a nation that embraces scientific knowledge and whose people enjoy the benefits of science.

The Academy’s offices are located in Canberra in the ACT, operating out of two iconic heritage-listed buildings, the Shine Dome and Ian Potter House in the centre of the city.

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the Academy Fellows and employees live and work, and to their elders, past and present.

Our culture

The Academy reflects organisational values that earn and sustain trust. The Academy is independent, non-partisan and ethical; acts with integrity, honesty, and transparency; supports diversity and inclusion and is respectful of sources of knowledge, such as those of First Nations people.

We offer a safe, flexible and inclusive work environment and strive to create an environment that connects, respects and values staff, investing in them to nurture and develop them as professionals.

The position

Based at the Australian Academy of Science, the ISC Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific (ISC RFP-AP) is part of the global structure of the International Science Council (ISC).

The International Science Council (ISC) is an international NGO with a mission to act as the global voice for science to promote science as a global public good. The ISC works at the global level to catalyse and convene scientific expertise, advice and influence on issues of major concern to both science and society.

The ISC has a unique global membership that brings together 250 diverse organisations from all fields of science across all regions of the world, including international scientific unions and associations, and national and regional scientific organisations such as academies and research councils. It is the largest international non-government science organisation of its kind.

The ISC RFP-AP is based at the Australian Academy of Science. The ISC Regional Focal Point works to ensure that regional needs and priorities are adequately represented in the ISC’s global agenda, that regional voices are actively engaged in the governance and management of the ISC’s work, and that the region benefits from the results of that work.

The Communications Officer will deliver a wide range of communications activities including media engagement, social media management, website updates, newsletters, speech writing and event support as well as planning, delivering and administrating a portfolio of projects in the region that build capability among scientists and media in communicating science in low and middle income countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

Duties and responsibilities

The Communications Officer will report to the Director, Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific and will work closely with the Australian Academy of Science Engagement team in Canberra and the International Science Council Communications team in Paris. Duties and responsibilities include:

1. Co-ordinate and deliver all communications activities for the Regional Focal Point including liaising with mainstream media in Australia and across the region, managing social media, website and newsletter design and content as well as managing specific reporting from both design and content perspectives.
2. Take responsibility for the planning, delivery and administration of a program of projects in the region to build scientists and media capability in communicating science, including managing the budget, schedule and reporting against KPIs.
3. Prepare and proactively distribute media releases, monitor, and report on the Regional Focal Point’s presence in the media.
4. Effectively lead and advise on the sourcing, curation and drafting of engaging and impactful social media content including artwork design and copy.
5. Take responsibility for the planning, delivery and administration of key Regional Focal Point events and programs, including managing a budget, schedule and reporting against KPIs.
6. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of RFP and ISC programming in order to prepare and publish content, on the Regional Focal Point’s website and in newsletters.
7. Develop and manage regular data analysis reports capturing the impact of communications activities including website traffic, media, social media and events, and use these reports to help identify the audience journey and actions to meet communications objectives.
8. Leverage the expertise of the Regional Focal Point and the Australian Academy of Science to raise the profile of the RFP’s work in the region and beyond.

Qualifications and experience

• A tertiary qualification or equivalent significant experience in science communication, media, or related discipline.
• Substantial experience in a related role.
• Strong networks and connections in media.

Selection criteria

• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic direction into operational practice.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and experience working in, a variety of communications-related functions and activities.
• Demonstrated experience in using a variety of software, media platforms and communications tools and the ability to adopt new platforms rapidly. (Example platforms include MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Salesforce, Mailchimp and WordPress.)
• Demonstrated experience designing and/or delivering social media campaigns to tell impactful stories to a variety of audiences and familiarity with social media platforms.
• Demonstrated capability for problem solving, determining priorities, and the ability to work autonomously and within a team which is remote and onsite.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to achieve organisational outcomes.
• Effective writing skills, strong design knowledge and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to produce high quality analytical reports of results to inform strategy and measure impact.
• A commitment to workplace diversity, workplace participation, WHS and equity principles.

Contact details

Further information on the position is available from Ronit Prawer, Director, Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific at hr@science.org.au

Applications

If this sounds like a great fit for you, please apply including:

• your resume; and
• a cover letter outlining how you believe your skills and experience would be a good fit for the role (max 2 pages please).

Please apply via our HR Management system.

Please note the video interview is OPTIONAL and will not be used for shortlisting purposes.

Applications close 5pm AEST Monday 5 May 2025.

To be eligible to apply for this role you must be legally permitted to work in Australia. The Australian Academy of Science values social and cultural diversity. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; who identify as LGBTIQ+; and people with disability. The Academy is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and the provision of a safe and healthy work environment. The Academy supports and promotes flexible work practices.