• Remuneration: $130K - $140K
• Location: Fully remote work from home - interstate travel required
• Employment Type: Fixed-term Full-time with the possibility of extension (contract ends 31.12.2026)

Mental Health Carers Australia

Mental Health Carers Australia (MHCA) is the only national advocacy group solely concerned with the well-being and promotion of the needs of families and carers supporting someone with mental ill health. Our mission is to be the national voice for families and carers to enable the best possible life.

In June 2024 Mental Health Carers Australia was awarded grant funding by the Australian Government to establish a new national peak body representing the needs interests and hopes of mental health families, carers and kin in mental health.

The Position

This new position has been created to expand MHCA’s national advocacy and policy program. In collaboration with the CEO you will research, formulate, write, and develop policies designed to persuade and influence government agencies, service providers and other stakeholders. This role will include deep listening to the diverse experiences of families and carers in mental health to formulate policies that reflect their needs. The role will also focus on reaching families, carers and kin who have previously not connected to systemic advocacy organisations.

Responsibilities of the role (not limited to):

• Apply lived experience expertise as a mental health family, carer and kin to inform national advocacy
• Listen to families, carers and kin and reflect their needs at a national level to influence and drive systemic change
• Write policies and submissions that reflect contemporary understandings of relational approaches to mental well-being
• Build relationships across the sector to amplify the voices of families, carers and kin in mental health

For more information about the role, including a job description, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Manager - Advocacy and Policy - Remote / Work from Home enquiry via EthicalJobs.

About You

Our ideal candidate will bring a well-rounded understanding of the mental health sector and service systems and how these impact the experiences of families, carers and kin. You will have worked in a senior role in the human services sector, and ideally in a policy or advocacy role. Your skills will include research, writing, presenting, and influencing change.

• You will have direct personal experience of supporting someone living with mental ill-health and/or suicidal ideation - please note you are not required to provide personal details of your caring experience in your application
• You will be required to undertake frequent travel within Australia

Qualifications

Formal qualifications are not essential for this role as MHCA recognise that there are multiple barriers to people accessing formal education and that life and work experience can often offer as much value. However, the role will require a high level of skills and knowledge similar to those gained through formal study at a degree level. It is expected that the incumbent will have strong data collection and analysis skills, well developed research and report writing experience, strongly developed critical thinking, efficiency in working to tight timeframes, high level project management and strong subject matter knowledge (or demonstrated capacity to learn quickly).

Candidates will also either have or be willing to obtain the following:

• National Police Clearance (within 6 months)
• Working with Children Check (may be required)

Benefits

In addition to joining a professional and dynamic team, you will work in a supportive and positive environment.

Additional benefits include:

• Fully remote role
• Competitive salary
• Contribute to establishing a national peak body

Culture Statement

We are a values-driven organisation. We welcome your experiences, your ideas, your passion, and your drive. Our culture and flexible approach will help you to succeed both professionally and personally.

MHCA is an equal opportunity employer supporting diversity in the workplace. We strongly encourage people from under-represented and diverse groups to apply. We would love to know how you can amplify our team with your unique experiences and perspectives.