ROYAL FOREST AND BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND Inc.
Position Description
Position Title:
Communications Officer (part-time or full-time)
Position Location:
National Office (Wellington)
Business Group:
Responsible to:
Marketing & Communications
Group Manager
The Society and its objectives.
Forest & Bird is New Zealand’s leading independent conservation organisation since 1923. Its unique
point of difference with other conservation groups in New Zealand is that it has a community-based
branch structure while having a regional and national overview and presence. The Society is also the
BirdLife International Partner in New Zealand.
The Mission of the Society is to:
“Preserve and protect the indigenous flora and fauna and natural features of Aotearoa
New Zealand, including land and water habitats”
We are the ` the voice of nature’
The Society is a key advocate for nature conservation, both on land and in the marine environment.
It’s often the only organisation speaking out for our endangered plants, and natural places that do
not otherwise have a voice of their own. At a national level it does this through advocacy to
Government and within the wider community, through its communications and the promotion of
specific project and campaigns. Forest and Bird branches are active in their own communities in
resource planning and a wide range of local and regional conservation and restoration projects. Its
Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC) connects children and their parents with nature conservation.
The Society is self-funded through its members and its supporters. Therefore promotion of the
Society, its work and successes, is key to its ongoing effectiveness as an organisation with a strong
membership and financial base.
Key Relationships:
Internal
 Chief Executive / Kaiwhakahaere Matua
 GM Marketing &Communications
 Marketing & Communications staff
 Other Group Managers
 Forest & Bird staff based at National Office
in Wellington and in regional offices
throughout the country
 Forest & Bird branch committee members
 Volunteers and volunteer project managers
 All members and supporters
May 2015
External
 Media – journalists, editors, freelancers
 Communications and other officials of
government agencies, departments and
ministries
 Conservation sector opinion leaders and
specialists
 Associated organisations, partners, sponsors
or their representatives
Communications Officer
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Aims and objectives of the position
The aim of the position is to promote Forest & Bird’s conservation work and campaigns to achieve
our strategic goals and to build the membership and a financial supporter base to ensure the future
of the society.
Objectives
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To engage with branch committees and committee members and Forest & Bird volunteers
to understand and help them raise awareness of their projects.
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To gain more support for our national campaigns and advocates for Forest & Bird through
better communications with our Forest & Bird branch committees and members;
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To encourage membership retention through more relevant communications;
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To effectively communicate the society’s campaigns, conservation policies, projects through
external media and other communications channels to key audiences.
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To promote the importance of Forest & Bird to New Zealand to ensure that Forest & Bird will
always be the voice of nature in New Zealand.
Roles
The role of this position is to support the Senior Communications and Media Officer to reach Forest &
Bird’s key audiences (external and internal) with our key messages.
The role of this position also includes:
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Campaign support
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Contributing to the Forest & Bird Magazine, and Wild Things magazine
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Campaign and communications evaluation
Provide support for Forest & Bird’s national campaigns, and provide media back-up to the Senior
Communications & Media Advisor. It also includes working with the Group Manager Marketing and
Communications to implement publicity campaigns to support marketing projects and our
sponsorship requirements.
Occasional travel in New Zealand and weekend work is required.
The small marketing and communications team is responsible for all the Society’s media, online and
print communications. We work closely with the other areas within our society in particular,
campaigns and advocacy, conservation and volunteers, fundraising and membership, the branch
committees and the governing board.
May 2015
Communications Officer
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Key Responsibilities
Campaign planning and
implementation
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Media communications
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Publications and materials
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Marketing and Promotions
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Contribute effectively to the development of the communications
plans for Forest & Bird campaigns.
Engage with and effectively contribute to campaign project teams.
Provide effective support for all external communications through
writing and distributing media releases.
Contribute effectively to develop Forest & Bird’s activity in social
media.
Research and write material for internal email newsletters
Research and write for the Forest & Bird magazine, in particular
from a branch or volunteer perspective.
Write and develop promotional materials (for example posters,
pamphlets and appeal letters).
Assist with promotional events run by national office and by
branch committees.
Be the point of contact for branches to discuss upcoming events or
any newsworthy items.
Decision Making/Delegations
Manage any relevant expenditure for communications or marketing assigned projects within the
limits of delegations assigned from time to time by the Group Manager Marketing and
Communications.
Key Accountabilities
 To meet performance criteria set by the Group Manager Marketing & Communications at the
start of each reporting year.
 To complete assigned projects or tasks on time, within budget and in accord with any
delegations given or limitations enunciated by Society Policy or Group Manager Marketing &
Communications.
 To represent and present the Society in a positive manner which maintains its reputation and
relationships with significant opinion leaders and organisations.
Performance Criteria
An individual Work Plan will be developed that reflects the contribution this position is expected to
make towards achieving the Society’s conservation objectives and measures. The Work Plan will
contain objectives that are consistent with the Key Responsibilities in this Position Description.
May 2015
Communications Officer
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Key Competencies and Position Requirements
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Professional journalistic or communications experience
Proven ability to work to deadlines and multi-task as part of a flexible team
Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
Some experience with writing, editing and media liaison
Some experience with online Content Management System or some affinity with computer
systems.
Positive interpersonal skills and the ability to work with and relate to people at all levels and all
backgrounds in the community.
Flexibility to manage broad-ranging projects and participate effectively as a project team
member
Personal organisation and self-discipline.
An understanding and interest of conservation and environmental issues
Experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and other common office software.
Loyalty to the Society, Chief Executive and LeadershipTeam.
May 2015
May 2015
Communications Officer
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