About the Institute:

The Black Dog Institute is a Medical Research Institute and a global leader in translational mental health research. We harness the latest technology and other tools to quickly turn our world-class research findings into clinical services, education and e-health products that improve the lives of people with mental illness and the wider community.

We pride ourselves on translating our own world leading Workplace Mental Health research into an award-winning culture that encompasses a holistic view of wellbeing. We aim to create a positive, mentally healthy workplace that recognises the importance of meaningful work, balanced lifestyles, psychological well-being and continual learning whilst being guided by our core values - Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence, Innovation and Respect.

We offer:

• Competitive salaries
• Salary packaging
• Commitment to Learning and Development
• Flexible working hours and work-life balance
• Generous parental leave policy
• Pet friendly office
• Social and team events

About the Role:

The purpose of this position is to manage and coordinate the involvement of lived experience expertise in all relevant Black Dog Institute programs and initiatives, across the project lifecycle. This will be achieved via leadership of the Lived Experience Resource Centre (LERC) and in accordance with the Black Dog Institute Framework for the Engagement of People with a Lived Experience.

The position works collaboratively with the management team and various program leads to assist with the achievement of organisational strategy and goals.

Key Duties:

• Contribute to the Institute’s strategic plan and identify priorities and activities for lived experience to operationalise strategic goals
• Create, implement, and drive the annual operational plan across the lived experience stream
• Ensure familiarity and currency of best practice in lived experience engagement and approaches that will inform impact and outcome of our work
• Promote increased knowledge and understanding of lived experience engagement to inform stakeholders, policy, and practice
• Provide input to and contribute to broader Black Dog Governance Framework and engage in forums and committees as required
• Lead the Lived Experience stream, providing inspiring and motivating day to day leadership, embedding the values of Black Dog Institute into all that the teams do
• Recruit, support and enable a network of lived experience advisors
• Manage the application of the Framework for the Engagement of People with a Lived Experience by identifying strategic opportunities for lived experience participation
• Facilitate and support the full spectrum of lived experience involvement in accordance with the principles of our Framework for the Engagement of People with a Lived Experience
• Provide expertise, guidance and advice throughout the research and translation process
• Oversee the development of appropriate resourcing, systems and processes to manage delivery of LERC, including but not limited to, implementation of the Institute’s Lived Experience Paid Participation Policy
• Develop new resources, tools and training programs to support LERC objectives, including capacity building of research and implementation staff and lived experience advisers
• Manage risk and lead the development, maintenance and implementation of lived experience policies and procedures
• Facilitate workshops and co-design processes that support our research translation framework
• Work in partnership with the Professor of Mental Health to support the evolving lived experience research stream within the Centre of Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention (CRESP) and implementation and evaluation of the combined lived experience and integrated knowledge translation framework for CRESP
• Provide the Director with regular reports on progress against Key Performance Indicators, and advise of risks and issues that require escalation, as they occur
• Undertake reporting for internal (e.g. Board Reports, Annual Report) and external (e.g. funding bodies) stakeholders in line with current Black Dog Governance policies and practice
• Lead the preparation of tenders and grants for external funding to support stream work and contribute to those initiated by colleagues

About You:

The successful candidate will have the following:

Essential Criteria

• A lived experience of mental ill-health, suicidal or extreme distress, suicide attempt, or significant carer or bereavement by suicide experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of broader mental health and suicide prevention lived experience / social justice movements, and experience contributing insights drawn from one’s own lived experience to improve policy, practice or research
• A minimum of five (5) years recent experience in a related field, including experience leading a team
• Training or qualifications in relevant discipline e.g. health or mental health field, social sciences, behavioural science, implementation science, or equivalent years of experience
• Demonstrated experience in applying the principles and techniques of involving people with lived experience in participatory, co-design or co-production activities to inform programs, services, policy, or research
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, rapport and relationships with people with lived experience, and ability to have skilful conversations to identify individuals who may be at risk of harm or distress and respond appropriately
• Demonstrated ability to lead planning, budgeting and program implementation processes, and preparation of reports and proposals
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, to prioritise, meet deadlines and see projects through to completion
• Demonstrated ability to build and leverage relationships and networks of internal and external stakeholders to positively influence outcomes
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to supervise, consult, liaise and negotiate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to develop and maintain productive working relationships and champion cultural change

Desirable

• Experience in mental health and/or suicide prevention field
• Experience in an academic research environment

For a full list of duties and selection criteria, please download the position description. Please apply using the online portal (link below) with your resume and cover letter addressing selection criteria outlined in the position description. Candidates who apply via email will not be considered.

Please email [email protected], using the subject line: Lived Experience Participation Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs if you have any questions or queries.

The Black Dog Institute is an EEO Employer.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and encouraged to apply.