Senior Communications and Media Advisor

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Overview

Gellung Warl – meaning ‘tip of the spear’ in Gunaikurnai language – is a First Peoples’ representative and deliberative body, underpinned by Aboriginal Lore, Law and Cultural Authority. 

Gellung Warl is established as a statutory corporation under the Treaty Act. It is made up of three arms that work together:  

• the First Peoples’ Assembly, the political decision-making arm 
• Nginma Ngainga Wara, an independent government oversight and accountability arm and
• Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna, an independent mechanism for ongoing truth-telling. 

Gellung Warl is guided by the Ngarrakeetoong Martongakeeyt (Community Vision) and is answerable to Community through the Larbargirrar Gnuurtak Tulkuuk (Community Governance and Answerability Framework), which sets out how Gellung Warl engages with and is answerable to First Peoples in Victoria.

Gellung Warl’s underlying purpose is to promote collective self-government, self-determination and empowerment of Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, including:

• representing First Peoples in Victoria and exercising decision making powers in relation to First Peoples in Victoria
• representing First Peoples in Statewide Treaty negotiations with the State, including undertaking ongoing Statewide Treaty negotiations, and supporting Traditional Owner treatymaking
• providing for ongoing truth-telling and healing
• advising the Parliament and the State government in relation to matters that affect First Peoples and holding the State government to account in relation to its commitments to, and the impact of its actions on, First Peoples.

Walk with us and make history!

The role

The purpose of this role is to provide senior communications and media advice, strategy and delivery support that advances Gellung Warl’s public positioning, organisational priorities and Treaty objectives. The role supports effective public communication by shaping media strategy, preparing high-quality media and communications content, advising on messaging and supporting strategic engagement with media and public audiences to ensure communications are timely, credible, audience-focused and aligned with organisational priorities.

This role requires the ability to navigate a complex and politically sensitive environment, ensuring communications advice, media activity and public messaging uphold Gellung Warl’s cultural authority, priorities and values while maintaining constructive relationships with colleagues, Traditional Owners, communities, stakeholders, media contacts and relevant internal and external partners.

As part of the Communications function, the Senior Communications and Media Advisor provides senior support across media strategy, public messaging, communications content and media engagement, working closely with the FPA Executive Director and relevant internal stakeholders to translate organisational priorities into effective media activity, communications products and public-facing responses. The role helps ensure communications work is strategically aligned, responsive and delivered in support of Gellung Warl’s broader organisational and Treaty objectives.

Key duties

• Develop and support delivery of media and communications strategies that advance Gellung Warl’s broader strategic and Treaty objectives.  
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders, spokespeople and relevant staff on media queries, communications issues and public messaging.  
• Prepare media releases, proactive pitches, statements, reactive responses, briefing notes, talking points and other communications materials to support public communication and media engagement.  
• Support Co-Chairs, Members, senior leaders or other designated spokespeople in preparing for media appearances and public-facing engagements, including message development, briefing and rehearsal support. 
• Maintain media lists, distribution tools and related communications systems to support timely and effective media engagement.  
• Monitor media coverage, identify emerging narratives or risks, and provide recommended responses or mitigation strategies where required.  
• Work across internal teams to ensure key messages remain current, values-based and aligned across communications channels.  
• Support broader communications activity as required, including speech writing, copywriting, website content, eDMs, digital content and other communications products.  
• Contribute to the development and activation of a wider group of First Peoples messengers and advocates to support public communication and the case for Treaty.
• Support continuous improvement of communications and media practices, systems and workflows to strengthen responsiveness, consistency and impact.
• Assist with other communications, promotional and organisational priorities consistent with the role’s classification and purpose, as directed.
• Promote and support the achievement of Gellung Warl’s core values and contribute positively to its reputation through high-quality communications and media practice.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the role’s classification and purpose as directed.

Required skills and experience

Skills, Competencies & Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of news media.  
• Highly developed ability to navigate contested or politically sensitive spaces with nuanced and strategic messaging.  
• Strong relationships with journalists across First Nations, Victorian and national media outlets, or demonstrated capacity to build and sustain such relationships.  
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to adapt writing across different platforms, audiences and objectives.  
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, manage multiple projects and maintain momentum in a fast-moving environment.  
• High competence with web and email publishing applications and backend administration tools.  
• Skill in the use of web-based content platforms such as WordPress, Campaign Monitor, SurveyMonkey or similar tools.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal communities and organisations within Victoria.
• Demonstrated skill and capacity to work effectively and with integrity in the context of a Victorian First Peoples’ representative body or similar environment.

Experience & Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing media and communications in a politically sensitive or high-profile environment.  
• Demonstrated experience writing media releases, web content, eDMs, statements and copy for a range of communications and marketing collateral.  
• Experience developing and delivering media or communications strategies that support organisational priorities and public positioning.  
• Experience in the creation, publishing and maintenance of website or digital content and other communications outputs.  
• Experience supporting or advising senior leaders and spokespeople in relation to media appearances, messaging and public communication is highly desirable.  
• Experience monitoring media, identifying reputational or narrative risks, and coordinating practical responses is highly desirable.  
• Experience working in politically sensitive, community-accountable or reform-oriented environments is highly desirable.
• Relevant tertiary qualification is desirable, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and experience. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal communities and organisations within Victoria, and the ability to work effectively and with integrity in the context of a Victorian First Peoples’ representative body or similar environment.
• As part of our commitment to child safety and in line with the Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic), all roles within Gellung Warl require a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• Current full Victorian Driver Licence.

Salary and terms

Employment term: Ongoing

Salary from $136,631 per annum (full-time equivalent) plus superannuation, based on experience and expertise.

Location

This role extends its reach across the Melbourne region with some regional travel as required. 

How to apply

If you are ready to take on a challenging role and make a significant impact, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any other supporting documents to [email protected] or follow the prompts to Apply Now!  

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Note that interviews may commence prior to application close dates as suitable applications come through so job may be filled before close date. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Applications close:  3 June 2026