Lived Experience Advisors

Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Whatu Ora – Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley District

Location: Kenepuru Hospital

Service:  Mental Health, Addiction & Intellectual Disability Service (MHAIDS)

Contract:  Permanent, part-time (0.8 FTE)

Salary:  $72,000-$86,000 (pro-rata)

Kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role

Are you passionate about mental health and addiction? Have you used adult mental health and addiction services? Would you like to use your lived experience to make a difference? If the answer is yes, then we'd like to hear from you.

We are looking for two skilled and passionate individuals to work within Te Korowai Whāriki, our Regional Forensic and Rehabilitation Services. 

The two roles are:

• A Māori Lived Experience Advisor - Te Korowai Whāriki Regional Forensic and Rehabilitation Services
• A Lived Experience Advisor - Te Korowai Whāriki Regional Forensic and Rehabilitation Services

Lived Experience Advisors are people with lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction and recovery. They have experience of accessing secondary (community team) or tertiary (inpatient unit) mental health and/or addiction services and want to use that experience to bring about systemic change. We are system-focused advisors and work in collaboration with MHAIDS to provide a lived experience perspective within the organisation. 

The Lived Experience Advisors will ensure the lived experience perspective is presented, valued and implemented in decision-making, policy and quality improvement projects. You will be based with the Lived Experience Advisory Team at their Kenepuru Hospital office but you will regularly attend meetings at Te Korowai Whāriki, Regional Forensic and Rehabilitation Services. 

The role is 32 hours per week. However, there is flexibility to start at 3 days a week if necessary and work up to 32 hours. 

Mō tō mātou rōpū – About our team

The Lived Experience Advisory Team is currently a team of five people. We have Lived Experience Advisors working within inpatient units, youth services, serious event reviews, and staff learning and development. We have a Team Leader who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Lived Experience Advisory Team. The Lived Experience Advisory Team is also part of a larger MHAIDS Lived Experience Team that includes the Director of Lived Experience and Engagement who represents the lived experience voice at the Senior Leadership Team level. There are also three Lived Experience Leads who work within our adult community mental health services across Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Wellington, Kapiti and Porirua.

The team also work closely with relevant internal and external stakeholders (local/regional/national) to advise and assist in the development of strategies and processes required to achieve successful outcomes for people with lived experience.

Moū – About you

Our ideal candidate:

• Has personal lived experience of accessing forensic and rehabilitation services, secondary (community team) or tertiary (inpatient unit) mental health and/or addiction services, and can share appropriate and relevant experiences to influence systemic change.
• Upholds peer values and has an understanding of recovery that is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and wellbeing orientated. 
• Has an understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how they apply to the health sector. 
• Is committed to improving health equity for Māori, Pacific peoples and priority populations.
• Has an understanding of the lived experience and peer workforce and can relate and connect with diverse groups of people
• Has experience in project, advisory and group work.
• Can work alongside people with differences in opinion and move collectively towards a common goal. 
• Can recognise and champion the voices of current tāngata whai ora in quality improvement, service design and delivery.
• Enjoys working in a team and independently.
• Can effectively communicate information to diverse audiences using recovery focused language. 
• Knows the relevant rights, legislation, policies and standards. E.g. Health and Disability Code of Consumer Rights.
• Applies and demonstrates recovery, self-care and stress management strategies.

A relevant diploma or degree qualification is not required for this role.

E pā ana ki a tatou – About us

Here at Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley District we embrace diversity and welcome applications from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disability and religions. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and serve our community.

Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley District is a pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.

To find out more about us click on the following links:

Capital and Coast

Hutt Valley

Mental Health, Addiction and Intellectual Disability Service

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to apply

We do not accept applications via email. Click the apply now button to send your application directly to us. For further information on this role please email lucy.britland@tewhatuora.govt.nz and indicate the job title and vacancy number in the subject line.

Please note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.

Ma tini, ma mano, ka rapa te whai

By joining together we will succeed