About the Lived Experience Development, Governance & Education (LEDGE) Project:

The LEDGE project will strengthen and embed lived/living experience involvement in representative roles, co-design processes, organisational governance and service design throughout South Australia. This will be achieved by providing training and other development opportunities to people with lived/living experience of mental distress, social issues or injustice (including those who identify with having a psychosocial disability) as well as working with Boards and Executives to embed inclusive and safe involvement practices for people with lived/living experience.

The LEDGE Project is funded by the Australian Department of Social Services through the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) initiative. The Project will be overseen by and co-designed with people with lived/living experience. Collaborative partnerships with other organisations will be key to enhancing the influence of people with lived experience to effect change and the overall success of the project.

About the SA Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network (LELAN):

LELAN’s purpose is to amplify the voice, influence and leadership of people with personal lived/living experience of distress, social issues or injustice to drive systemic change. The organisation has three areas of focus:

• Developing the capability and influence of people with lived/living experience
• Nurturing organisational and sector capacity for partnering with people with lived/living experience
• Impacting system improvement agendas to benefit people with lived/living experience

Mobilising the power of lived experience throughout South Australia is LELAN’s vision. This underpins the work that we do and the way that we do it, embodying the knowing we have that lived experience matters. Our values are courage, compassion, dignity, intersectionality, leadership and social justice.

Core elements of LELAN’s approach to any work that we are involved in or leading are:

• The active, well supported and authentic inclusion and development of people with lived/living experience of mental distress, social issues or injustice at all stages and levels of the process
• Working relationships based on collaboration and partnership
• Prioritising co- (design, creation, production, evaluation) practices and processes where feasible and as much as possible
• Focus on building the capacity of organisations and capability of their staff to engage, partner and effectively involve and/or provide care for people with lived/living experience that endures beyond the lifespan of the project
• Influencing and designing positive real change for and with people with lived/living experience, or the services and systems they interact with

About the Project Worker/Trainer Position:

The Project Worker/Trainer will play a lead role in developing the LEDGE project and supporting people with lived experience to be involved in its co-design and delivery. They will convene regular capacity building and networking opportunities for people with lived/living experience and contribute significantly to the leadership development of the South Australian lived experience community.

Key activities for the Project Worker/Trainer will be: co-designing all elements of the project with the lived/living experience community and social services sector; strengthening existing networks for people with lived/living experience; establishing a register for lived/living experience leaders wishing to be linked to governance and Board opportunities; holding skill development and knowledge sharing sessions; liaising with external coaches and mentors who will enrich the development of lived/living experience leaders; and linking people with lived/living experience to involvement opportunities. They will work closely with another member of the project team who will provide Executive Liaison to sector Executives and Boards, supporting their capacity for the meaningful and effective inclusion of people with lived/living experience in organisational operations and decision-making.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Oversee the LEDGE project plan and milestones
• Facilitate the active and meaningful involvement of people with lived/living experience of mental distress, social issues or injustice (including people who identify with a psychosocial disability) in the project through co-design initiatives, Advisory Group membership, surveys, forums, etc
• Design and deliver skill building, governance training and networking opportunities by, for and with people with lived/living experience
• Work collaboratively with organisations to increase opportunities for people with lived/living experience to be involved in service design and decision making
• Establish a Register of lived/living experience leaders and connect them to opportunities
• Create opportunities for lived experience led action and inform LELAN’s systemic advocacy
• Support robust evaluation of the project and the involvement of people with lived/living experience

Skill and experience requirements:

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience of centering and enhancing the involvement of people with lived/living experience in communities and across all levels of an organisation
• Project work experience that demonstrates planning, organisational and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to work independently whilst being part of a team
• Experience designing and facilitating workshops and co-design processes, particularly where this is by, for and with people with lived/living experience of mental distress, social issues or injustice
• Highly developed communication skills that includes group facilitation, delivery of presentations and capacity to translate these into report format
• Ability to develop supportive, encouraging and engaging relationships with diverse groups
• Qualification in peer work, mental health, community development or related field
• Computer literacy and ability to use Microsoft Office programs
• Commitment to the purpose and values of LELAN

We are committed to inclusion and accessibility for people with lived/living experience and welcome applications from people with: broad distress or mental health experiences (including psychosocial disability); diverse cultural backgrounds (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people); gender or sexually diverse identities (including trans and non-binary); and/or other disabilities.

Further enquiries can be made by emailing [email protected] using the subject line: Project Worker / Trainer enquiry via EthicalJobs or calling Ellie Hodges, Executive Director, on 0422 888 157. Additional information about LELAN can be accessed at www.lelan.org.au.

A position description is attached.