Who we are

Whāraurau works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of infants, children, and youth, and those who care for them, by providing workforce development within the mental health and addiction sector in Aotearoa. Through UniServices, a wholly owned social impact company of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, we are contracted by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Education to grow the capacity and capability of the infant, child, youth and whānau mental health and addictions workforces. We offer a range of e‑Learning courses, training, webinars and service supports that are government funded and free to access.

• Lead our Youth Advisory Team to ensure the youth lived experience voice is amplified
• Permanent Fulltime (0.8-1FTE), Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch, Hybrid
• Support and develop capability of the ICAMHS and addictions AOD workforce

The opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to leverage your management skills alongside your personal experience as a service user of youth mental health and addiction support, or from working in roles that involve youth with lived experience in similar services.  You will foster the growth and development of the youth consumer advisors and mentor, help them enhance their skills so they can apply their expertise, experiences, and mātauranga to successfully achieve deliverables across the Whāraurau work programme.

Utilise your project management skills to plan, deliver, and report designated projects to build workforce capability. Mentor, manage and support the youth advisory team to implement the youth consumer advisory and youth peer workforce development projects.  Champion youth lived experience in the mental health and addictions sector and within Whāraurau.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and champion the Whāraurau youth consumer advisory team, monitor team performance and support their growth and development.
• Contribute to and be a key support to fostering a learning culture that continually seeks improvement in youth lived experience participation in Whāraurau and in the ICAMH sector
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders to ensure input into deliverables and relevant sector opportunities. 
• Lead and/or contribute to the development of project plans and effective delivery of projects.
• In consultation with key stakeholders, design, develop, and deliver effective workforce development, e‑learnings, trainings and resources.
• Ensure all aspects of the role are delivered in a culturally aware and responsive manner and to develop the youth team to be reflective of the people who access services.
• Demonstrate a commitment to understanding the implication for Māori hauora which is implicit in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Your skills and experience:

It is essential for you to hold:

• A graduate tertiary degree in health or social sector discipline or comparable experience of an Advocacy role in the youth or lived experience sector.
• Minimum of five years working with Youth Lived Experience.
• Knowledge of and networks within the mental health sector/system.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by different populations.
• Understanding of how to effectively use lived experience to lift the voices of young people with mental health and addiction challenges.
• Project management experience.
• People leadership including line management of staff in a human service delivery context.
• Subject-matter expertise in ICAMH or youth mental health and addictions.

Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand will be considered.

What we offer:

Great benefits, including 5 weeks annual leave, up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme, eye-testing & glasses subsidies, access to discounts on health insurance & gym memberships, and long-service recognition.  We provide a culturally diverse team and supportive workplace with a blended approach to office and home-based work.  We offer flexible working arrangements and are committed to your ongoing professional development.

PD Workforce Delivery Manager Youth Lived Experience Apr 25 Wharaurau.pdf. 

Please submit your application by 15 April 2025.  Note we may interview prior to the close date.

Honoa te tangata ki te tangata, te tangata ki te taiao, te tangata ki te rangahau, rangahaua ki whai hua.

(Linking people to people, people to the world around us, people to research, research that brings ideas to life.)