The role of Community and Peer Advisor requires someone with lived experience of mental health issues and Australian Defence Force (ADF) service, as either an ex-ADF member or partner/carer of a current or ex-ADF member (spouse, ex-partner or widow/widower). The position entails using one’s lived experience to respectfully support and educate clients, consumers and stakeholders about strengths-based, recovery-oriented practices and community support services.

This will be a 12-month role with potential for extension.

As part of this role, your key duties and responsibilities will include the following:

• Where appropriate, share knowledge gained through one’s relevant lived experience and recovery to promote awareness, understanding and service improvement.
• Role model behaviours which promote mental health recovery and wellness for the purpose of client, community, and stakeholder education and engagement.
• Co-facilitate relevant group programs.
• Work effectively and cooperatively as a member of the Community Engagement Team
• Represent Open Arms and the peer workforce to strengthen the organisation’s public profile, in order to further enhance Open Arms’ responsiveness and reach.
• Work with key internal and external stakeholders to influence a recovery approach to service delivery for veteran, current ADF and their families.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Open Arms’ Clinical Practice and Governance policies and Accreditation.
• Participate in Open Arms program evaluation and research activities, strategic direction, and quality improvement, particularly in relation to community engagement activities.
• Support participative workplace practices in line with policies of WHS, Workplace Diversity and the Australian Public Service values, Employment Principles and the APS Code of Conduct.
• Collaborate with Community and Peer Advisors and Community Engagement Coordinators both locally and nationally, including participating in and contributing to a peer work Community of Practice.
• Participate in regular supervision, training, case conferencing and case review meetings.

MANDATORY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Lived experience of mental health issues and ADF service, as either an ex-ADF member or partner/carer of a current serving or ex-ADF member (spouse, ex-partner or widow/widower).
• Ability to respectfully and effectively utilise this experience to promote a recovery focused approach to support others.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training and professional development, including completion of certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
• Working with Children (WWC) and/or Vulnerable People Checks/Clearance must be obtained prior to commencing in the position.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience supporting veterans and/or their family members and promoting recovery orientated behaviours.
• Experience in casework or other human services delivery.

If you feel that you meet the criteria above and are interested in applying, please use the link provided.