Trust and Identity Communication Manager
As our team expands, we are excited to announce a new opportunity to join the Trust and Identity team.
Position Description
Position Title: Communications Manager– Trust and Identity Program
Type: Fixed term, 2 years with the possibility of extension
Location: National
Reports to: COO and Head of eResearch
Number of Direct Reports/Staff Supervisory Requirements: None
Open to: Australian or New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents who have approval
to work in Australia. The position may be open to Australian university staff applying on a
secondment basis (subject to the approval of their institution and the AAF).
Organisational Context:
The AAF is Australia’s leading technology specialists in identity and access management for higher
education and research. We are connected to an international community of scientists and
researchers building applications and solutions that make up part of the Federal Government’s
eResearch infrastructure strategy. We work with universities and research institutions including
CSIRO to provide access to resources that tackle issues in health, life science, and astrophysics… just
to name a few.
The AAF provides a flexible work environment and a team of highly motivated individuals that work
towards a common goal of supporting Australia’s higher education and research sector. We enable
Australia’s teachers, students, and researchers to use identity technologies and policies to create
world-class outcomes.
Vision
The AAF’s Vision is to lead access management
for Australian education, research and
government.
Mission
The AAF’s Mission is to deliver secure federated
access that connects Australian teachers,
students and researchers to global online
resources.
Trust and Identity Pathfinder Program
The AAF has been commissioned by the Department of Education to deliver a two-year pathfinder
program. It will develop a national framework for Trust and Identity along with an incubator
program to enable a more connected research infrastructure ecosystem. The 2021 National
Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Roadmap identified five-step changes that
could deliver a significant impact on Australian research. One of these step changes was for cutting-edge digital research infrastructure. To achieve this a system-wide approach to identity and access
management is required. This will result in a more secure research infrastructure that enables access
and global connectivity for Australian researchers.
The Pathfinder project will deliver an accelerator and an incubator. The accelerator consists of
A national Trust and Identity framework for the NCRIS ecosystem
Align and inform practices and policies with global best practice
A cohort of identity and access management specialists that can work with individual
research groups and research infrastructure providers
A suite of reusable T&I software solutions, tools, and modules that could be used by research
groups and infrastructure providers
Deliver additional access, authentication, and authorisation infrastructure that builds on the
AAF to support the unique needs of the research sector.
The incubator will provide access to T&I resources for NCRIS capabilities that partner with the
program. Part of this process will require:
• analyse and mapping of current practises
• integration of existing tools and services with the AAF and NDRI providers
• explore access methods for researchers outside the system
• assist with the adoption of technologies and practises that enhance cybersecurity and
resilience of NCRIS.
The Role
You will be working in a dynamic environment to manage the AAF’s eResearch communications and
engagement activities. The role will be responsible for delivering communication, and events and
coordinating engagement activities associated with the T&I Program. The role will report to the COO
and work closely with the Head of eResearch. The successful candidate will:
• Work autonomously to manage the content and creative functions of the AAF from ideation
of concepts through to implementation.
• Be responsible for establishing and implementing multichannel communication and
engagement strategies across platforms.
• A team player who builds strong working relationships with internal and external
stakeholders.
• Ability to use creativity to develop written and digital content.
• Participate in project planning to develop communication, change, and content strategies.
The role will work with the Head of eResearch to manage program communication activities and
promote the outcomes for 6 incubator projects which will be run in partnership with various NCRIS
capabilities.
The role will be part of a small national team of specialists, including program managers,
business/eResearch analysts, identity management specialists, engineers, marketing, and
communications professionals.
- Key Responsibilities
Lead content planning activities and implement the AAF brand and product initiatives.
Develop and create multichannel communication and engagement strategies for the T&I
program.
Strong content writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Undertake detailed communication work, including: - Develop and maintain content that can be used on multiple platforms
- Manage various publishing platforms to distribute content to niche audiences via emails, web, social, video, events, and presentations.
- Research and evaluate new communication technologies and strategies.
- Conduct and develop webinars and presentations as required
- Develop websites, design, and content that meets accessibility requirements.
- Analyse data and provide feedback to inform content decisions.
- Lead and manage the coordination of events.
- Develop and implement social media campaigns that strengthen AAF’s online presence and T&I program.
- Develop and design basic communication collateral and templates.
- Foster a culture based on collaboration, teamwork, and quality.
- Support the COO and Head of eResearch to deliver reports and business documents from time to time.
- Other tasks as required.
Your experience and skills
We are seeking a motivated, organised and proactive person to work with and contribute to our
communications team. You will have well-developed written and verbal communication skills, the
ability to work across teams, and be comfortable working autonomously. Previous experience in a
research or high-education environment is highly desirable.
Qualifications
A degree with subsequent relevant experience OR a combination of relevant experience, broad
knowledge and industry training.
Skills and Capabilities Required
You will be assessed based on the following:
Demonstrated organised approach to work. Strong attention to detail in writing, editing, and
proofreading. The ability to set objectives, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines with minimal
supervision.
Ability to lead and develop communication strategies from ideation through to creation and
implementation.
Experience with implementing communication projects and change management to support
these projects.
Experience with content development, proofreading, and editing. Including strong attention
detail.
Excellent written and oral communication skills for developing and delivering
communication collateral for multiple platforms.
Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of communication and change
management strategies for a large number of stakeholder groups.
Demonstrated intermediate/advanced skills in the use of office software, Adobe design
products, social media platforms, and web editing software applications.
Demonstrated ability to engage and manage external suppliers as required including but
limited to graphic designers, professional writers, and photographers.
Ability to work effectively in both a small team structure as well as independently
demonstrating initiative, motivation, problem-solving and organisational skills to achieve
specific goals.
Desirable: Experience within higher education/research environment.
Other Job-Related Information
Applicants should note that:
The position is:
A fixed-term full-time position
A 35-hour week, with normal working hours from Monday through Friday
Flexible working hours and work-from-home arrangements (subject to negotiation and prior
approval)
Some travel may be required (circumstances permitting).
The position is based in an office in the city of the successful candidate, or a work from
home arrangement may be supported subject to negotiation and approval.
