Vacancy

About CHA

A decent home is a human right. Community Housing Aotearoa is working towards a future where all New Zealanders are well-housed as the voice of the community housing sector. Community is at the core of everything we do.

Community Housing Aotearoa-Ngā Wharerau o Aotearoa (CHA) is a peak body – or umbrella organisation – for New Zealand’s community housing providers. Our members house approximately 35,000 people across more than 18,500 homes. As a member-driven organisation we are governed by an elected Council and represent over 75 registered community housing providers and partner members, including charities, iwi and Māori organisations and Councils. Our members support diverse communities with a range of housing needs and options – from transitional housing to progressive home ownership. Our role is to advocate on behalf of our members to Government, support the strategic development of the sector, and build its reputation by showcasing its achievements and its business and community models. For CHA, success looks like:

• Policies that result in long-term investment in the community housing sector.
• Increased supply of quality community houses that complement state and private housing.
• Quality providers delivering continuously improving resident and community outcomes.
• A decent home recognized as a human right.

CHA works collaboratively with Te Matapihi he Tirohanga mō te Iwi Trust (Te Matapihi) – the national Māori housing advocate, central and local government, ministries, crown agencies, private businesses, and individuals who make up the sector.  We strive to uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi consistently and actively.

The Opportunity

The Senior Communications Advisor role is best suited to a mid-career professional with strong digital communications capability and some experience working directly with journalists. It is a direct report to the new Chief Executive and reflects the sector’s determination to communicate with stakeholders and influencers in more effective ways to help secure lasting benefits for all New Zealanders in need of a safe and healthy place to call home. The Senior Communications Advisor will interact with a range of people from the many different organisationswho make up the sector but also with influencers from central and local government and the private sector. There is huge opportunity to upskill and build strong professional networks, while making a difference. There is also potential for the role to develop as the organisation develops.

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Communications Advisor will work closely with the new Chief Executive to develop and implement CHA’s print and digital communication tools and strategies to demonstrate:

• The essential social and economic role held by the community housing sector in New Zealand.
• The sector’s role in working toward a well-functioning housing ecosystem, delivering our part in ending child and family poverty and making the human right to a home a reality.
• The importance of this sector receiving appropriate support from central and local government andthe support of other stakeholders who share the sector’s vision.

Responsibilities

• Preparing, updating and implementing the CHA Communications Plan across all print and digital channels, including developing and implementing our first social media strategy.
• Designing and implementing a range of creative media and PR activities that position the community housing sector as critical to addressing our housing crisis.
• Working with CHA members to raise the level of communications discipline, professionalism and focusacross the secto
• Working collaboratively with the Te Matapihi and Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga-Ministry of Housing and Urban Development communications staff to ensure aligned communications where appropriate.
• Draft key messages, media releases, website copy and marketing collateral, and support email campaigns and the regular sector newsletter.
• Work with the CEO to develop and pitch stories and messages to the media and a range of influential stakeholders, as well as support the CEO in responding to media requests.
• Maintain the CHA brand and be a fearless reputational guardian.

Must-have skills

• A commitment to the CHA vision of, “All New Zealanders well-housed”.
• Experience managing the digital communications for an organisation including social media, website, and email campaign copy.
• Ability to work to deadlines and self-manage the prioritization of work.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality and engaging content for different media, including news media, websites, social media and marketing collateral.
• Some experience fielding calls from journalists and working with media.
• Political savvy with a strong risk radar, including keeping across emerging media issues.

Nice-to-have skills

• Professional experience of the housing sector and/or social services sector.
• Experience briefing and working with agencies such as videographers, photographers and designers to help create compelling communications.
• Experience supporting the organisation of events and conferences.

Location

The role can be based anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand with robust internet service and direct air links to Christchurch, Wellington and/or Auckland. Travel will likely be required occasionally between the cities and to other community and social housing sites around New Zealand in support of the sector’s communications and stakeholder initiatives (such as conferences and events).

Working Hours

The Senior Communications Advisor role is a full-time role. CHA fully supports workplace flexibility, and we will do whatever we can to meet our employees’ needs.

Apply for this role here