POSITION DESCRIPTION
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
COMMUNICATIONS
Reports to:
Communications Manager
Direct Reports:
1. Nil
Band Range:
D ($55,764 - $65,057)
Dimension:
Full-time / Permanent
STATUTORY ROLE
NZCER is an independent, not for profit, statutory body established in 1934. The NZCER Act
requires the organisation to carry out and disseminate education research, and provide
information and advice.
MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
NZCER is an education research and development organisation providing knowledge and
resources to support learning in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our vision is for an education system with a strong evidence base, where understanding about
learning and the needs of every learner are central.
NZCER is an independent advocate for evidence-informed approaches to education. We
generate and share insights from our research and we develop educational solutions to support
learning. Our work is done in purposeful teams that draw on deep, cross-disciplinary expertise
with an Aotearoa New Zealand perspective and international reach.
NZCER acknowledges the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa New
Zealand and seeks to uphold mana Māori in our work, relationships and ways of working. We
place high value on integrity, creativity and generosity.
NZCER draws on a rich heritage and plays an active part in shaping the future of education.
COMMUNICATIONS
Communicating our work and ideas is essential to all parts of the organisation. We speak with a
strong independent voice on our areas of expertise and we provide channels for dialogue and
interaction. NZCER wants its work to have influence and impact, whch means we need to
communicate in ways that are engaging, varied, relevant and tailored to audience. We build
relationships across the education sector, including with parents and whānau.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
As a member of the Communications Team contributing to the development and
implementation of dynamic strategic and annual communication and marketing plan;
contributing to improving the customer experience across all interactions with NZCER;
contributing to strengthening the NZCER brand.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
This role works closely with Communications Manager, GM Products & Services, and the
Infrastructure team. This role will also hold key relationships externally with contractors and in
the professional communication field.
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PURPOSE OF JOB
This role contributes to NZCER’s strategic goals through telling inspiring stories about our work
through a range of channels and media, events management and supporting projects and
products and services with professional communications, marketing advice and brand
management.
KEY TASKS
1. Media
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Writing and production tasks as specified by the Communications Manager, including
but not limited to; production of brochures and other marketing material; research
report summaries and newsletters; writing and editing for the NZCER website and
intranet; contributing to innovative communication approaches for example, through
the development of multi-media materials.
Leading NZCER’s social media presence across Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.
2. Customer Service
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Working with others across the organisation (eg sales and assessment services) to
help define and map the customer journey and to improve the customer experience
Establishing effective relationships and maintaining regular contact with external
stakeholders e.g. schools, and contributing to the maintenance of these contacts.
Providing NZCER’s education news service.
Maintaining and continuing the ongoing development of relevant databases.
Working with the Finance team to design and develop analytics and reporting to
provide information on customer marketing segmentations.
3. Event management
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Coordinating and administering external events, such as symposia and conferences,
working across the organisation and communicating with external clients and service
providers.
4. Health and Safety
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Accepts responsibility for, and demonstrates commitment to, maintaining personal
health and safety by ensuring that work habits and practices are safe.
Appreciates the need for, and enacts, environmental sustainability practices in the
workplace.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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Minimum requirement is a Bachelors Degree in Communications or Marketing.
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EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
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Minimum of two years previous experience in communications or marketing role.
Experience in a writing role.
Skills and interest in multi-media formats and social media.
Knowledge and interest in the education sector.
Interest and experience in marketing is desirable.
Intermediate to advanced word, and intermediate Excel and PowerPoint.
Previous experience using web editing software is desirable.
Knowledge of project management principles and processes.
Previous experience using project management software.
Ability to work and communicate effectively across the organisation as a part of a
diverse range of teams.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
Analytical skills, including the ability to take complex technical information and
translate into language appropriate for the audience.
Attention to detail, and meticulous file keeping processes both hard and soft copy
material.
Ability to work and communicate effectively across the organisation as a part of a
diverse range teams.
Experience working with mobile platforms and gathering a wide range of information
from these sources for marketing purposes.
An understanding and appreciation of the design process and familiarity with InDesign
software.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
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An understanding and appreciation of the Treaty of Waitangi, and bi-cultural and multicultural policies and perspective. Respect for and sensitivity in dealing with other
cultures and languages
An orientation towards continuous improvement to systems and processes
A personal desire for ongoing learning and development
Recognition of the value of team effort; sensitivity to the needs and opinions of other
team members
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