Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

Well it’s a job and somebody just has to do it
by Malcolm B Duncan

It’s a bit like passing a pub on a very hot Australian afternoon – there are times when you just can’t resist.

The two things that took my eye today in the job ads were this. What does one have to do to be a real professor in Wagga?

And this that I must just reproduce in full because it offers such a fun opportunity for a jape in tough times:

 

 

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is the Australian Government’s key adviser on infrastructure, transport and regional issues.

Our vision is to contribute to the well being of all Australians by assisting regions to develop their own futures, developing the nation’s infrastructure and fostering an efficient, sustainable, competitive, safe and secure transport system.

Take this opportunity to work with a team of talented people committed to delivering critical outcomes for the Australian community in the areas of infrastructure, transport and regional services.

The Department has a diverse set of responsibilities that provide many opportunities to suit a variety of career interests. We also offer a wide range of flexible work arrangements, tailored to meet your particular needs.

Assistant Speechwriter

EL 1 - PAO - $81,033 - $96,444

Ref number: 08-524

Location: Canberra

Employment Type: Ongoing

The Communication Services Unit is the Department's primary point of contact on communications projects and issues for portfolio ministers, Departmental Executive and internal and external clients. The Unit works closely with client areas to identify and manage issues, and to actively promote the portfolio’s priorities and achievements. The unit is client-focused in managing the Department’s external image and internal communication. All Departmental employees will have a strong awareness of the APS and Departmental values, the APS code of conduct and Departmental policies regarding workplace diversity, occupational health and safety, and participative work practices. Employees are expected to apply these principles to their work as a matter of course.

As the Assistant Speechwriter, you will use your well developed writing skills to draft high quality speeches for the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and Senior Executive on a wide range of topics relating to the Infrastructure portfolio. You will be adept at liaising with senior officers and stakeholders, and possess the ability to craft speeches which are informative, consitent with the speaker's style, and in a way that clearly communicates the speaker's key messages. Reporting to the Senior Speechwriter you will be responsible for, ensuring consistent and strategic messaging in speeches and other written materials (eg forewords, talking points, media releases), including an awareness of whole of Government approaches and perspectives on portfolio related issues establishing a network of subject matter experts both within and external to the Department, including liaising with departmental and Ministerial staff on content and input for speeches, drafting, editing, reviewing and finalising speeches to the satisfaction of the relevant senior executives and Ministerial staff, in line with Departmental style guidelines. Liaising with Departmental and Ministerial staff on speech content and input. Negotiating with conference and event organisers in relation to speech requirements, participating in the Departmental media on call duty roster. Contributing to longer term strategic planning and processes for the Communication Services team.

To be eligible for engagement, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a security assessment to the level of Entry Level.

Selection documentation: Sally James 02 6274 8003 or sally.james@infrastructure.gov.au
Further information: Jackie Gleeson 02 6274 8069 or jackie.gleeson@infrastructure.gov.au

Applications for this position close on 7/12/2008.

Applicants must address all selection criteria. The Department prefers online lodgement of applications via the website at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/ Where electronic lodgement is not possible, please contact the contact officer for this position to discuss other options for submitting your application.

Alternatively you may wish to contact our Recruitment Team on 02 6274 6161 for more information on the lodgement of your application. Further information on our department and employment opportunities, can be found at our website www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/careers/

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and encourages applications from Indigenous Australians.

This is a security assessed position and the successful applicant will need to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the appropriate level. Conditions of service are covered by the Department's Collective Agreement 2006-2009. Australian citizenship is a requirement of employment in The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Applicants who have permanent resident status may be considered, but an offer of employment would be conditional on achieving Australian citizenship.

Title:	Assistant Speechwriter
Classification:	APS Level 6 to Executive Level 1 (POA)
Salary:	$63,257 to 96,444
Business Division:	Corporate
Branch/ Section:	Communication Services Unit
Location:	Canberra
Security Clearance:	Secret
Contact Officer:	Jackie Gleeson 02 6274 8069

About the Business Division:

The Communication Services Unit is the Department’s primary point of contact on communications projects and issues for portfolio ministers, Departmental Executive and internal and external clients.

The Unit works closely with client areas to identify and manage issues, and to actively promote the portfolio’s priorities and achievements. The unit is client-focused in managing the Department’s external image and internal communication. All Departmental employees will have a strong awareness of the APS and Departmental values, the APS code of conduct and Departmental policies regarding workplace diversity, occupational health and safety, and participative work practices. Employees are expected to apply these principles to their work as a matter of course.

About the Position:

As the Assistant Speechwriter, you will use your well developed writing skills to draft high quality speeches for the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and Senior Executive on a wide range of topics relating to the Infrastructure portfolio. You will be adept at liaising with senior officers and stakeholders, and possess the ability to craft speeches which are informative, consistent with the speaker's style, and in a way that clearly communicates the speaker's key messages.

Reporting to the Senior Speechwriter you will be responsible for,

• Ensuring consistent and strategic messaging in speeches and other written materials (eg: forewords, talking points, media releases), including an awareness of whole of Government approaches and perspectives on portfolio related issues.
• Drafting, editing and reviewing and finalising speeches to the satisfaction of the relevant Senior Executives and Ministerial staff, in line with Departmental style guidelines.
• Establishing a network of subject matter experts both within and external to the Department.
• Liaising and negotiating with conference and event organisers in relation to speech requirements.
• Participating in the Departmental media on-call duty roster.
• Contributing to longer-term strategic planning and processes for the Communication Services team.

Selection Criteria:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. Communicates with influence: communicates clearly, listens, understands and adapts to audience, negotiates persuasively.
2. Achieves results: builds organisational capability, marshals professional expertise, steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty, ensures closure and delivers on intended results.
3. Cultivates productive working relationships: nurtures internal and external relationships, facilitates cooperation and partnerships, values individual differences and diversity, guides, mentors and develops people.
4. Shapes strategic thinking: inspires a sense of direction, focuses strategically, harnesses information and opportunities, shows judgment, intelligence and commonsense.
5. Exemplifies personal drive and integrity: demonstrates public service professionalism and probity, engages with risk and shows personal courage, commits to action, displays resilience, demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to personal development.
6. Specific technical expertise:

• Tertiary qualifications in media / journalism / professional writing (or equivalent industry experience upwards of five years).
• Demonstrated ability in providing high-level communications advice to senior decision-makers, including outstanding writing and editing skills.
• A thorough understanding of the workings of the Australian Public Service and portfolio Ministerial Offices, including experience in working with stakeholders in these arena.

Please Note: Responses to the selection criteria are limited to 300 words per criterion.

 Now, the task for Webdiariasts who want a real pizzle before the end of Spring is for us to work up a joint application for the job (the students would be more than welcome to contribute), then we send it in and when they do the interview, providing she consents of course, we send Margo along.

Hours of fun for everyone, and this may be the only occasion in my life that I welcome deconstruction. All proceeds to Webdiary and, if we crack it, we job share. I’m sure there are plenty of us who could do with maternity leave.

Tee hee.