Youth Consumer Advisor

Company Description

Who we are

Whāraurau works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of infants, children, adolescents 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, adolescent, 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.

Job Description

• Use your mental health/addictions experience to help improve the youth mental health sector
• 24 hours per week, 2 years fixed term contract
• Auckland CBD based office

The opportunity

Do you have lived experience of mental health and/or addiction? Have you used youth mental health or addiction services? Would you like to use your experience to make a difference to the youth mental health and addiction sector? We have a great opportunity for you to use your lived experience as a Youth Consumer AdvisoYou will receive full training, and ongoing support as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Ideally you will have recently finished high school and have experience of using youth mental health or addictions services.  The funding for this role is for a person who can bring a current youth perspective.  You will receive full training, and ongoing support as part of a multidisciplinary team.

As a Youth Consumer Advisor, you will have opportunity to input into projects across Whāraurau and engage with Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) Districts, non-governmental organisations, and other young people, and those professionals who work with youth.

In the role you can expect to participate on professional panels to effect policy, advocate nationally/internationally, develop and host events, support others in their advocacy/advisory work, and design youth friendly resources.

Key responsibilities

During your time with us you will grow these skills to benefit your future career:

• Develop professional and networking skills across a diverse group of young people, service delivery and policy makers.
• Present at a national level in a variety of forums.
• Write formal communications, guidance and reports.
• Support training delivered by Whāraurau.
• Plan and run events for young people.
• Undertake stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

Your skills and experience

It is essential for you to be:

• Passionate about improving mental health outcomes for young people.
• Able to share what 'recovery' means to you.
• Able to relate, identify and connect with youth/peers.
• Keen to be part of a team.
• Effective at communicating information to diverse audiences.
• Capable of working with Māori, Pacific and other cultural groups and understand how Te tiriti o Waitangi applies to the mental health sector.

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

Additional Information

​​​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 Youth Consumer Advisor Feb 2025 Wharaurau.pdf

Please submit your application by 14 March 2024 and outline your recent experience as a young person who has used youth mental health or addictions services in Aotearoa.  

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.)