Seeking a Family Carer Policy Lead

• Time Fraction: 1.0 FTE
• Annual Salary: $106,000 + superannuation
• SCHADS Level: 6.1
• Start Date: ASAP
• Duration: Ongoing
• Role Type: Designated Lived Experience role
• Reports to: General Manager, Advocacy, Policy and Research
• Location: Tandem Office, Abbotsford / Hybrid opportunity with flexibility
• Benefits: Generous not-for-profit salary packaging
• Who we are

Tandem was established in 1994 and is proud to be the trusted voice of family, carers and supporters in mental health in Victoria.
As the Victorian peak body with a sole focus on the needs and interests of mental health carers. Tandem’s role is to provide leadership, coordination and knowledge for the organisations and individuals who are working to improve outcomes for Victorian people living with mental health challenges, their family, carers and supporters.

Tandem is committed to ensuring that the importance of the contribution, expertise, experiences and needs of family, carers and supporters is recognised and addressed. We advocate strongly that they are essential partners in recovery, service governance and delivery, planning, research, and evaluation.

Your Role

Tandem recognises the need to provide innovative, responsive and relevant research to contribute to a strong evidence base to improving the everyday lives of families and carers in mental health.

This is a senior and strategic role within the Advocacy, Policy and Research (APR) team, responsible for leading the development of Tandem’s policy positions and driving impactful advocacy initiatives. The Family Carer Policy Lead will play a key role in identifying emerging issues impacting families, carers, and supporters and will work to ensure their voices shape reform in Victoria’s mental health system.

A core function of the role is to provide subject matter advice and leadership on the Victorian Mental Health Reform and other state policy developments, and to ensure that the lived and living experience of families, carers and supporters is authentically reflected through best practice codesign and coproduction approaches.

This role will work closely with the General Manager APR, as well as mentor and support the Policy Officer, and collaborate with the research and advocacy leads. This role will involve representing Tandem in high-level consultations and external forums and influencing government and sector stakeholders to create lasting change.

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Family Carer Policy Lead with:

• Ability to use lived/living experience as a family, carer or supporter to support to write submissions, and position statements and prepare briefing materials.
• Experience in and significant knowledge of Victoria’s mental health system, and associated health and welfare services including sound knowledge of the legislation pertaining to families, carers and supporters in mental health.
• High-level strategic thinking, written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to simplify complexity for different audiences.
• Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative and consultative manner with diverse stakeholders, able to build effective relationships at all levels and disciplines including with community members, and government.

Why Join Tandem?

At Tandem, you’ll be part of a dynamic and supportive team working to create meaningful change in the mental health sector.

• Join an organisation that values inclusivity, compassion, and the lived experience of family, carers and supporters.
• Hybrid opportunity and a workplace that supports caring responsibilities and work-life balance.
• Salary packaging benefits and Portable Long Service Leave

How to Apply

We’d love to hear from you! If you would like to know more about this role and whether it’s right for you, please reach out to our friendly team.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter.

Please see the attached Position Description for more information about the role.

We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, as well as people of diverse genders, ages, cultural backgrounds and lived experiences.

Any questions? Let’s talk – contact Jo Tilkeridis on 03 8803 5555 or by email at [email protected] using the subject line: Family Carer Policy Lead enquiry via Ethical Jobs