Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) is Victoria’s peak body for people who have a lived experience of mental health or emotional challenges. We are run by consumers, for consumers.

Your lived experience and those of other consumers matters.

VMIAC is going through a period of growth and we are busier than ever at this exciting time.

We are looking for:

• An experienced professional to lead our talented advocacy team
• Contribute to VMIAC’s systemic advocacy agenda
• Bring strong advocacy and team leadership skills and a firm commitment to upholding human rights
• Your lived experience of mental ill health and recovery will inform your approach as you experience the benefits of working in a lived experience workplace.

Position overview

This position leads and manages the advocacy team in enabling VMIAC consumers to make their own choices and have their rights and interests respected.

The position represents consumers through self, individual and systemic advocacy giving consumers a voice and works closely with VMIAC’s membership, research and policy and NDIS advocacy teams. It is responsible for the internal and external relationships to identify, address and resolve systemic advocacy issues identified through work with individual consumers and in collaboration with the NDIS Advocacy Team.

THIS IS A LIVED EXPERIENCE, CONSUMER POSITION:

Applicants must have lived experience of mental health issues and/or emotional distress and consumer of mental health services. Applicants will receive supervision and support but must be work ready and able to fulfil all requirements of the role.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential:

1. Demonstrated knowledge and experience of contemporary issues facing consumers of mental health services and delivering an effective model of advocacy;
2. Proven management and leadership ability to provide individual and systemic advocacy services;
3. Experience leading a team that empowers staff to be an integral part of an effective and high performing team;
4. Empower consumers to participate and self-advocate wherever possible whilst managing varied and complex internal and external partnerships to achieve individual and systemic advocacy outcomes for consumers and VMIAC;
5. Strong verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills with ability to connect with and strengthen relationships with consumers, staff and external partners / stakeholders;
6. Lead the team to ensure content for digital or printed material is generated and up to date for the promotion of advocacy services;
7. Tertiary education in Community Services, Community Development or equivalent and combination of experience, education and training;
8. Intermediate skills and competence in Microsoft Office, including Excel, to support data analysis and reporting;
9. A current Victorian Driver's License and is prepared to travel to regional and rural areas of Victoria for work purposes.

Highly Regarded

• Knowledge of database systems; and
• Knowledge of National Standards for Disability Services.

Essential licence or registration requirements

1. Lived / Living experience as a consumer of mental health services
2. Current Police Check and Working with Children Check

PAY AND CONDITIONS

Attractive remuneration package are attached to each role and include:

• Ongoing - full-time
• SCHADS Award Level 7 Pay Point 1 plus superannuation
• Salary packaging options available
• Four weeks annual leave with a 17.5% leave loading

SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT

All VMIAC roles include training and development opportunities, which can include the development of leadership and other required skills and attendance at conferences.

For enquiries please contact Fiona Reidy on [email protected] using the subject line: Advocacy Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.

No late applications will be accepted.

Interviews will be help on Wednesday 30th March.

A position description is attached.