US President-elect Donald Trump has awarded key roles in his incoming team to a top Republican party official and a conservative media chief.

Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, will be his chief of staff. In this role, he will set the tone for the new White House and act as a conduit to Congress and the government.

Stephen Bannon, from the conservative Breitbart News Network, will serve as chief strategist. Bannon stepped aside temporarily as Breitbart's executive chairman to head Trump's campaign.

Trump is due to take over at the White House on January 20th, when Barack Obama steps down after two terms.